Brake linings: functions, service and price

Brake linings are part of your braking system, so you must pay special attention to their maintenance to ensure your safety. Here is the brake pads article to learn all about their role, maintenance, and how to replace them!

🚗 What is a brake pad?

Simply put, the brake lining is what makes your car slow down or stop. Indeed, linings rub against discs or brake drums when you create a braking action. It is through this that the kinetic energy (the energy that an object has, it is present everywhere and represents the state of the object that goes from stillness to movement) of your car is converted into calorific energy (combustion action). In this way, the pads ensure that the contact between the pads and the brake discs is not too strong.

?? What materials are the brake pads made of?

The materials from which the brake pads are made must withstand extreme conditions such as high temperatures during friction. Therefore, the liner must be hard and heat resistant, but not too hard, so as not to damage the discs and drums.

To meet these conditions, the main materials used are ceramic particles, graphite, fibers, copper and copper alloys, and abrasives.

🔧 What are the symptoms of brake pad wear?

It is difficult to determine if a lining is really the cause, but certain symptoms can alert you to the condition of your brakes, then you will need to go to the garage to determine where the problem is actually from:

• You hear a squeal when braking
• Your braking is harder than usual
• Premature brake wear
• Noises even when you don't brake

If you notice any of these symptoms, don't wait and go to the garage, improper tire maintenance can have very serious consequences for your driving and your safety.

🚘 What are the types of brake pad wear?

If your pads are too damaged, they will start to crumble, causing your brake pads and discs to wear faster. Brake linings must be at least 2 mm thick to be considered in good condition. The only way to check this is to visually check the trim. To access it, you will need to remove the wheel, rotate it to access the caliper, then the brake pads and thus the linings. When cropping is in front of you, you will see various imperfections.

• The lining has come off the last: this can be due to several problems such as, for example, the presence of rust between the pad and the pad, improper installation of the pads, thermal or mechanical overload.
• Filling stripes: this is undoubtedly due to the presence of dust and dirt from external elements found on the road.
• The edges of the filling are broken off : the lining is probably not fitted correctly, the brake pads are faulty, there is a mechanical or thermal overload.
• Brake lining vitrification (the appearance of a thin layer of harder material in contact with the disc): This is undoubtedly due to overloading the brake pads or if you brake for too long with little pressure on the pedal.
• Dirty brake linings: fat or oil has settled on the surface. This appears if the gaskets are not sufficiently serviced, if the drive shaft oil seals are faulty, or if there is a brake fluid leak.

?? How much does it cost to replace brake pads?

The pads are not self-replaceable and are usually included with disc or pad replacement kits. The price varies depending on the model of your car and the support, on average from 30 to 120 euros for their replacement.

To get the exact cost of replacing brake pads, use our online garage comparator and compare the data with the best garage owners near you. It's quick and easy, repairing your car has never been easier!