Brake Pads

Brake pads are the friction material that clamps against the brake rotors when you press the brake pedal. They're the most commonly replaced brake component and critical to safe stopping.

• Squealing when braking (wear indicator)
• Grinding when braking (pads completely worn)
• Brake warning light on dashboard
• Steering wheel shakes when braking (warped rotors from overheated pads)

• 1Normal wear from daily braking
• 2Aggressive driving and hard braking
• 3City driving with frequent stops
• 4Towing or hauling heavy loads
• 5Cheap or low-quality brake pad material

• Practice smooth, gradual braking — avoid hard stops when possible
• Use engine braking on downhills instead of riding the brakes
• Use quality ceramic or semi-metallic pads, not the cheapest option
• Don't ignore the first squeal — it's the wear indicator telling you to replace soon

1. 1Loosen lug nuts, jack up the vehicle, and secure on jack stands
2. 2Remove the wheel
3. 3Remove caliper bolts and slide caliper off the rotor
4. 4Hang the caliper with a wire — never let it hang by the brake line
5. 5Remove old pads from the caliper bracket
6. 6Compress the caliper piston with a C-clamp
7. 7Install new pads with correct orientation
8. 8Reinstall caliper and torque bolts to spec
9. 9Reinstall wheel, lower vehicle, pump brake pedal before driving

Always consult your vehicle's service manual for model-specific procedures. If you're unsure, have a professional do the work.