What You Should Know About Brake Pad Replacement in Briarcliff

What You Should Know About Brake Pad Replacement in Briarcliff Manor

Very often, when you’re having trouble with your car’s brakes, it’s not actually the brakes themselves – it’s the brake pads. These critical components help your brakes function, but they wear down over time. Good brake repair shops in Briarcliff Manor can easily replace your brake pads – but how do you know if it’s necessary?  And how can you get a good deal?

Let’s dig into the matter of your brake pads and the importance of periodically replacing them.

1. What Do Brake Pads Do?

Brake pads sit directly between the mechanical brake assembly and the tire, being the actual point of contact in the brake system. Their purpose is to provide the pressure and friction needed to slow your car down whenever you hit the brake pedal. They’re typically made of extremely hard materials such as ceramics or metal composites, making them tough and durable.

However, they will wear down over time. Every time the brake pad makes contact with the tire, the friction created will burn away a tiny amount of padding.  Eventually, the pad will begin to fail. As this happens, your braking effectiveness will also go down, potentially leading to a complete brake failure if the pads are completely destroyed.

Obviously, this would be extremely dangerous if you were moving at high speeds. So, keeping your brake pads in good condition is a must for safe driving.

2. When Should Brake Pads Be Replaced?

It’s hard to predict exactly how long a set of brake pads will last.  Depending on both the material they’re made from, as well as your own braking habits when driving, their lifespan could be anywhere between 25,000 and 75,000 miles. So, mileage or age alone won’t tell you when you need new pads from a brake repair shop.

However, there are several possible warning signs that your brake pads are failing:

• An internal warning light. Many newer cars directly monitor the condition of the brake pads, with a sensor in place that will cause an alert if the pads become dangerously worn. More and more often, this is your main warning.  However, if your car is older…
• The ABS warning light. In moderately older cars, the “ABS” light is an all-purpose warning light when there are problems with the brake system. If this light ever turns on, you definitely should go to a brake repair shop to have it checked out.
• High pitched squeaking or grinding noises. Many pads are specifically designed with a layer of metal intended to make a noise when the pad is worn down. This is typically a high-pitched squeak or whine. Or, if you hear grinding noises when braking, that’s another big red flag of brake pad problems.
• Difficulty braking. As the pad wears down, braking will become more difficult. If you find yourself having to push the brake pedal harder to stop, or your car takes longer to slow down than it used to, you need to have the brakes checked.
• Dark fluid leaks. Occasionally, damage to the brake pads will cause brake fluid to leak out, reducing the brakes’ effectiveness. If you see a dark fluid around your tires, you need to take them to a brake repair shop ASAP because something is very wrong.

As far as preventing damage to your brake pads goes, there isn’t much you can do.  As mentioned above, brake pads fail over time due to wear. However, attempting to brake as gently as possible can potentially help extend their lifespan.

3. What to Expect: Time and Pricing

The good news is that replacing brake pads is a relatively easy process for a professional brake repair shop.  All things being equal, the process should take only a few hours. So it might take up a morning or afternoon, but you absolutely should be able to drive your car away that same day.

As far as price goes, that boils down to parts + labor. For a general estimate, assume the labor will cost around $125 since the process is similar for most common vehicles. The pads themselves will vary more in price. Depending on the material used for the pads and their overall quality, the set could potentially cost anywhere from $50 to $250.

We strongly recommend you not go cheap on your brake pads, given how important they are to safe driving. A little extra cost at the repair shop is a lot better than brake failure on the highway. If you really want to save a little money, you could potentially purchase the pads yourself, then take them to a brake repair shop for installation.

Visit Our Brake Repair Shop Now

Whenever you need new brake pads in Briarcliff Manor or Shrub Oak, Fred’s Auto Repair should be your brake repair shop of choice. We’ve provided excellent service for over 50 years.  Click here to contact us.