Maintaining your car's braking system is a crucial part of ensuring your safety when driving. Consequently, you need to figure out the brake pad replacement cost and when you need to do it. Do you have enough saved up for new pads? Does spending extra money mean you'll be safer on the road? Should you consider labor costs or can you do the replacing yourself?
Answering these questions can be challenging when you do not have plenty of car experience. Here, we aim to help you understand the several factors to consider when determining the cost to replace brake pads and whether you can save money while getting a reliable set.
How to Tell When to Replace Brake Pads?
For starters, you can check the thickness of each brake pad to see if there are signs of wear. Additionally, rust on the components can increase vibrations, lower braking power due to reduced friction and noise when bringing the vehicle to a stop. However, if you own a large car, you may need to remove the tires to view the state of the brake pads.
Aside from visual evidence, the sound the brakes make when functioning tells you if they need replacing. Whining or squealing indicates that the primary friction material has worn down to the metallic shim. However, noisy brakes may also signify that the braking mechanism is wet or has a layer of dust. Thus, it would be best if you listened to them when the vehicle is clean and dry.
Moreover, most brake pad sets come with a recommended mileage when they perform at peak performance. Hence, you should check to keep track of how long you've had yours on to figure out whether you need to find a replacement soon. Additionally, if you drive in hilly areas, you will likely replace your brake pads sooner than other motorists since you use them more often.
Factors Affecting Brake Pad Replacement Cost
1. Kind of Brakes
Brake Drums
Instead of brake pads, brake drums rely on brake shoes that push outward against the drum when you press the brake pedal to bring the car to a halt. However, this braking system, prevalent in older vehicles, can be challenging to work with if you are not experienced. Plus, they are pretty expensive to maintain and replace than the next type.
Disc Brakes
A brake disc, also known as a brake rotor, is the shiny rotating part of the entire braking system, including the brake master cylinder and calipers. The brake pad, using hydraulic pressure, pushes on this component to stop the wheel from turning by slowing down the axle. Having brake pads replaced is more straightforward and cheaper than drums. However, as the mechanic costs may stay the same, some products are more expensive than others.
2. Types of Brake Pads
1. Ceramic Pads
The new brake pads on the block are the ceramic ones. This variety relies on copper fibers interlaced with ceramic to form the primary friction material. The resultant mix yields impressive stopping performance in a silent and dust-free pack. Plus, you are guaranteed reliable functioning in numerous temperatures.
Nevertheless, less brake dust and high-level performance mean that the average cost of these brake pads will be much higher than other materials available. So if you own a high-end vehicle, chances are ceramic brake repair may cost as much as five times the usual price.
2. Semi-Metallic
Semi-metallic brake pads contain anywhere from a third to more than half of their composite material, being steel, copper, iron or other metals. These products are reliable better than organic ones because they are more resistant to high temperatures, provide a higher braking force and your brake pedal feels more firm.
On the other hand, these brake pads and rotors tend to wear much faster since they are pretty hard. Also, you will see more dust when bringing the car to a stop, along with a louder sound. However, if you are looking for cheaper brake pads that offer dependable braking, these options will help you save money.
3. Non-Asbestos Organic
Non-asbestos organic brake pads are the cheapest option on the market, making them excellent for budget brake repair. These options typically consist of rubber, glass, fiber and other materials that are combined with resins. Unfortunately, these components mean that pads do not perform well in high temperatures and are not dependable in performance-demanding situations. Additionally, the compression between the brake pads and rotors makes the pedal feel soft.
3. Labor Costs
Replacing brake pads in an automotive repair shop is a straightforward process. Depending on whether you get new ones on both axles, you can expect to pay a minimum of $ 100 - $ 300 for each. These costs are the general estimates and may change depending on your area and type of vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions on Brake Pad Replacement Cost
1. Is it cheaper to replace brake pads yourself?
When you start experiencing signs of braking difficulty, you may be tempted to maintain the brake system yourself. Luckily, the process is relatively straightforward, especially for modern cars, and you do not need complicated tools or years of experience as a mechanic to finish successfully.
It is advisable to check the owner's manual and determine whether to remove the brake fluid during maintenance. Still, you can access most components at most automotive parts shops. Plus, you can find plenty of online help on how to do a brake job professionally. Finally, you should check that the brake lines do not bleed by ensuring the system is airtight.
2. Is it OK to replace brake pads only?
Rotor replacement is much more expensive than buying new pads. Consequently, when you see symptoms of brake fade, you need to act fast and change your car's brake pads before the issue spreads. Alternatively, when your pads wear unevenly, this may indicate the need for replacement calipers.