Car brakes are something we often take for granted. We rarely consider their value until they stop working. An effective car brake allows you to slow and halt the momentum of a fast-travelling object that weighs well over a metric ton without you even thinking about it.

Really, the braking system in a car is an engineering marvel. It isn't often though that we check to make sure this vital component is in good condition. At least, not until we notice its performance start to dip, and that the car is taking much longer to slow down than it used to, no matter how hard we press on the brake pedal.

If you have any concerns that your brake pads are damaged, wearing down, or becoming ineffective, you need to check them. The brake pads may not be the problem. This blog explains all you need to know about how to check brake pads.

Symptoms of Brake Pad Issues

Worried you might have problems with a brake fitted to your car? These are the warning signs to watch out for:

• Slow deceleration — If the brakes aren't working properly, your car will struggle to stop as quickly as it normally does. If you have to push harder on the brake pedal or find the brakes are less responsive than usual, there may be a fault with them.

• The car pulls to one side when you brake — If you have brake wear on just one of the brake pads, the vehicle will pull to the side when you slow, as one brake is more efficient than the other, and one wheel continues to spin faster.

• High-pitched noise — Squealing noises when you apply the brakes might mean significant wear on the pads.

• Warning light — Most modern cars are fitted with a brake failure warning system that uses sensors to analyse brake pad condition and relay data back to the onboard computer. If the condition suggests any of the braking pads fitted to the car do not meet the necessary standards, the system will alert the driver.

Brake Pads: Why Do They Need Replacing?

Brake pads work to disperse the kinetic energy created through the acceleration of a vehicle. The brake pads achieve this through friction. Attached to the wheels are steel brake discs. Apply friction to these discs as they spin and they slow their rotation, decelerating the car.

Friction results in erosion. As the fast-spinning metal brake discs spin against the brake pads, they slowly wear down the material on the pad. Eventually, the brake pads reach a point where they are worn down so much their performance is compromised. There isn't enough material left to generate the necessary friction to slow the car properly.

The process is very similar to the wear on a car tyre. Over time, harsh roads take their toll and tyres become smooth and unable to grip. The same can be said for brake pads. As with tyres, without grip, the car can become dangerous to drive. 

The image above demonstrates the difference between old and new brake pads.

How to Check Brake Pads

To see if a brake pad is worn, you need to check the depth of the pad. A new brake pad will be around 10 millimetres thick. The legal limit of a brake is 1.5 millimetres. The closer you get to the legal limit, the weaker the performance of the brake pad. You'll usually wear down the brake pad from new to the legal limit within 40,000 miles.

It can be possible to check a brake pad’s condition through the wheels of your car. The brake pads are visible if you remove hubcaps or alloys. However, this will only be helpful if you can see a lot of brake pad is left, indicating your issues are unlikely to be related to brakes. If there isn't a lot of brake pad depth left, but you are unsure how close it is to the limit, you won't be able to measure it with the wheel on. You'll have to remove the wheel.

Removing the wheels is only a job for those with experience and the necessary tools. Don't attempt to remove wheels yourself unless you are confident in your ability to not only secure the car and remove them safely but also safely restore them after your checks. You don't want wheels coming loose while driving!

If you can remove the wheels yourself — or get help from a professional or contact with experience — you can now access the brake pads and callipers (the parts they are fitted to) to measure depth. While the legal limit is as low as 1.5 millimetres, anything below around 6 millimetres is going to impact the performance of your vehicle. We recommend replacements at this depth or below.

What to Do If Your Brake Pads Need Replacing

If you can see the brake pads need replacing then don't wait around. Brake pad wear can not only impact performance but have serious and dangerous consequences. When you slam on the brake pedal, you want to know your car's brake pads are going to bring you to a stop safely, and within a reasonable distance.

To find new brake pads for your car, enter your registration number into the YMF Car Parts online tool and navigate to brake pads. Make sure you check your car details in the top left of the screen. Here, you can locate the exact new brakes your car needs and buy the quantity required. It's a simple process, and you can now take your new brakes to a garage to be fitted to wheel mounts.

YMF Car Parts is an industry-leading provider of quality car parts for all kinds of vehicles across the UK. If you need to buy replacement parts for repairs and maintenance of your car, simply enter your reg number to find the component you need.