You should check the brake pads occasionally for wear and tear. Worn out brake pads are no longer secure and prevent brake grip. People who live in urban areas have to change their brakes more often, than those who live in rural areas. If you notice signs of wear on the brake pads, try estimating with a straw, or measure more accurately by removing the wheel. If the brake pads are worn, you should replace them as soon as possible.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Symptoms of Rem Pads Wear
Step 1. Listen to the brakes when stopping the car
Many brakes are fitted with a squealer, which will indicate when the brake lining has started to wear out. This Squealer will make a loud sound when the brake lining is too thin.
You can check if the brakes are fitted with a squealer by removing the wheel. Squealer is a small metal that is next to the canvas
Step 2. Feel the brakes when the vehicle stops
If you step on the brake pedal all the way down but the car doesn't stop right away, it looks like the brake pads are worn.
Step 3. Check for pulse or vibration on the brake pedal
A pulsating or vibrating brake pedal can kick a bent rotor. The mechanic will be able to evaluate this problem better.
Step 4. Determine if the car is pulled to one side when braking
If so, this indicates that one brake is longer than the other. If you notice the car tugging a little to one side when braking, check the front tires and make sure the brakes are not worn.
Step 5. Use a professional to check the rear brakes
Some older cars and brake systems have brake shoes instead of pads. The shoe is a cylindrical metal ring that surrounds the wheel rotor. If you suspect your brake shoes are worn, it's best to take them to a mechanic so they can have them checked.
- The "brake material" exterior (usually made of metal) should be of equal thickness on both sides. You can measure it using a ruler.
- The rear brake shoes can withstand up to 48,000-64,000 km, about twice the brakes of the front tires.
Method 2 of 3: Estimating Brake Pad Thickness with a Straw
Step 1. Look between the spokes and look for the front brake rotor
If you look between the holes in the tires, you can see the rotors, which are the round metal parts attached to the rubber wheels. Many vehicles will have drum brakes on the rear wheels, which have brake shoes instead of pads.
Step 2. Locate the caliper next to the rotor
Find the long piece of metal pressing against the rotor. These long metal clamps to the sides of the rotor are called brake calipers. If you peek into the calipers, you will see a rubber coating; this is your brake pads.
- This method is no more accurate than removing the wheel and measuring brake lining.
- Make sure the car is off for a while so it doesn't get hot anymore.
Step 3. Push the straw between the brake caliper and the rotor
Continue pushing the straw until it touches the brake disc and stops.
Step 4. Use Vernier calipers for a more accurate measurement
Vernier calipers are measuring devices capable of measuring small gaps that a ruler cannot enter. Insert the tip of the Vernier caliper through the hole and read the top of the tool for a brake lining measurement.
You can buy Vernier calipers at a hardware store or repair shop, or online
Step 5. Draw a line on the straw using a pen and measure it
Use a marker to draw a line where the straw and brake pad meet. Use a ruler to measure the distance between the end of the straw and the line. This gives you a rough measure of the thickness of the brake lining.
Step 6. Subtract 5 mm from the measurement result
The back plate of the brake lining is about 5 mm in size so it must be subtracted from the measurement to get an accurate number. Brake pads must be at least 8.5 mm thick after subtracting 5 mm.
Step 7. Replace the brake pads if they are less than 6.5 mm thick
New brake pads are usually 13 mm thick. If it is half worn, the brake lining must be replaced immediately. Brake pads 3 mm thick must be replaced immediately because they are dangerous to drive.
Method 3 of 3: Measuring Brake Pads by Removing the Wheel
Step 1. Jack up your car
Find the jack point on the front of the car and place the jack under it. The jack point is usually under the front wheel. Handle pump to raise car wheels off the ground. Jack the side of the car you want to check.
If you've never used a jack to lift a car, ask an experienced person for help
Step 2. Remove the wheel
Loosen and remove the bolt by turning it counterclockwise using a bolt wrench or torque wrench. If the wheel is loose, pull the rotor. You'll see the brake rotors and calipers, which are metal parts attached to the wheel discs.
You can remove most wheel bolts with a bolt wrench or torque wrench
Step 3. Find the brake pads
Look into the holes in the calipers to find brake linings. This canvas looks like two pieces of rubber pressed against each other. While the tires are off, you can see the inside and outside of the brake pads. Measure both sides of this brake.
Step 4. Use a compass to measure the brake lining
The lining can be difficult to measure because it sits inside the narrow calipers. In this case, use a compass to measure the width of each side of the brake lining. Position one compass prong to the left of the canvas and the other prong to the right side of the canvas. Measure the space between the prongs on the compass to get the size of the brake pads.
Step 5. Replace the lining at less than 6.5 mm thick
If it is as thin as 6.5 mm, it means that the brake lining can be replaced. If the size is 3.2 mm or less, the lining must be replaced because it can cause permanent damage to the rotor.
