About worn brake pads:
A new brake pad (top) compared to a worn brake pad (bottom)
Brake pads and rotors play an important role in most modern braking systems. When your car’s brakes are applied, the brake pads are pushed against the brake rotors (also known as brake discs). This creates friction, allowing your car to slow down or come to a stop.
Since brake pads absorb so much energy and heat, they are prone to wearing eventually. This will reduce their ability to create friction and cause damage to your car’s brake rotors/discs. The brake rotors can become warped, ground down or even cracked from constant exposure to worn brake pads.. You can greatly extend the life of your car’s brake rotors by changing the brake pads when they start to become worn. In most cars, the brake pads should be replaced every 50,000 km.
Tips for extending the life of your brakes
Signs of worn brake pads:
There are several symptoms that indicate your brake pads need replacement. These include:
- Noises while braking – Worn brake pads and rotors can produce a loud squeaking noise when the brakes are applied. This can also be caused by the brake pads accumulating dust over time. Either way, brakes that make loud noises should be inspected. Also brake pads have a wear strip that will start to make a noise before you get metal to metal contact between the brake pad and the brake rotor.
- Reduced brake response – Worn brake pads will not respond to your input as quickly. This is because they lose the ability to create friction with the brake rotors. This can affect the safety of your vehicle since it will take longer for the car to stop.
Signs of damaged brake rotors/discs:
- Vibrating / Pulsing brake pedal – A warped or damaged brake rotor will create pulsing / vibrations throughout your car’s braking system. These vibrations / pulsations can often be felt through the brake pedal.
- Visible damage to the rotor – Grooves, scratches or marks on the brake rotor usually indicate that the brake pad is making irregular contact with the rotor.
- Brakes less effective – If your brake rotors are damaged, you may experience slower, less responsive braking. As mentioned above, this can affect the safety of your vehicle.
New brake rotors / discs in Hamilton
Damaged Brake Rotor & Worn Brake Pad Replacement in Hamilton
Do you think that a worn brake pad is causing damage to the rotors/discs? At Grimmer Motors, our team of skilled mechanics are experts in inspecting and diagnosing brake-related issues. We can take a look at your brakes and check the condition of the brake pads and rotors. If the brake pads need replacement, we can install some new ones to prevent further damage from occurring. If the brake rotors need replacing, we can install new ones as well.
For brake rotor and brake pad replacement in Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!