5 Symptoms of Worn Brake Pads (You Shouldn’t Ignore)
Effective braking relies on quality brake pads that press against the rotor to create friction and slow your vehicle. This friction causes the pads to gradually wear down over the years, requiring replacement.
Brake pad life varies depending on the brake pad material, your vehicle model, and your driving style. But how do you know when it’s time to replace them without physically measuring the thickness of the brake pad material?
Learn the most common symptoms of worn brake pads so you can plan for a replacement. 5 Most Common Symptoms of Defective Brake Pads
There are certain signs you can look for to determine if your brake pads are bad. Many of the early symptoms of faulty brake pads are not that serious, so even if you notice them, they won’t put you in immediate danger.
But it should motivate you to make an appointment with a mechanic, brake shop, or dealer to have your brake pads replaced as soon as possible.
On the other hand, if you have some mechanical knowledge and have already completed tasks such as changing your engine oil and replacing spark plugs, you won’t have any problems replacing your brake pads yourself. This can save you a lot of money over having a professional do it for you. Below are the 5 most common symptoms of defective brake pads.
1) Noisy brakes
If you hear a squealing noise when you press the brake pedal, your brake pads may be bad. As brake pads wear down over time, a lot of dust will accumulate inside the pads. If debris continues to accumulate on the brake pads, they will start to make a squealing noise every time you apply the brakes.
In addition, if the brake pads wear down too much, the brake sensor will come into contact with the disc brake rotor. If you haven’t replaced the pads by then, they will continue to wear down until the backing plate of the brake pad comes into contact with the rotor. This will not only cause a grinding noise when you step on the brakes, but will also damage the rotors and require replacement.
2) Brake warning light
One of the easiest symptoms to recognize when your brake pads are bad is when the brake warning light on your dashboard comes on. This doesn’t necessarily mean that your brake pads are bad, but it does indicate that something is wrong with your braking system.
Either way, this should be reason enough to take your car to a mechanic to have them check that you need new brake pads.
3) Spongy brake pedal
If your brake pedal feels spongy or squishy when you step on it, your brake pads may be worn out. You can still brake, but you have to press the brake pedal harder than normal.
Sometimes we forget to do this when we have to brake suddenly. A spongy brake pedal could indicate a bad brake pad, but it’s more likely a failed master cylinder or a brake fluid leak. In either case, you should check the components of your braking system.
4) Slow Braking
When brake pads become extremely worn, they can no longer provide enough friction on the rotor to rapidly slow your vehicle. This means that your brakes will respond very slowly every time you press the brake pedal.
If you try to brake suddenly due to a faulty brake pad and have to wait for the braking system to react, it can cause a serious accident.
5) Vibration
Do you feel like your brake pedal vibrates or pulsates when you place your foot on it? This could be due to faulty brake pads or brake discs, as vibrations occur when the brake pads come into contact with the disc. If one of them is worn or damaged, you will experience this sensation in the pedal.