Every mechanic who knows a car thoroughly and cares about its conditions, knows that you must always be attentive to all details and parts. The proper functioning of the brake is essential for the safety of all passengers, so it is necessary to rely on the pads used.
In the braking system of a vehicle, it is the brake pads that suffer the greatest impacts. They are the devices that come into contact with the brake rotor, applying pressure to stop the vehicle.
Do you know how to choose the ideal one for each car? Read the post below and answer your questions about it!
What is a brake pad? Best brake pads are small parts that make up a disc brake system, which are usually behind the wheels of the car. When the brake pedal is applied, through friction with the rotor, they reduce the speed of the disk until the vehicle's wheels come to a stop. Its mechanical action is simple, but it needs attention.
The tablets are composed of:
friction material: resins, synthetic fibers and metallic particles;
shim or base: material with high mechanical resistance, usually steel;
grooves: small cracks in the friction material;
chamfers: preserve comfort in terms of drive and noise and are located in the friction material.
What is the service life of the brake pads? The duration of this device is directly linked to the way of using the vehicle. Cars that run daily in cities tend to apply the brake more times a day. This is due to traffic jams, traffic lights and stop signs. Consequently, the tablet will be spent in less time.
When some brake is applied, some symptoms can be observed to change the device, which are:
loud and high noises;
shake;
delay in stopping the car;
heavy pedal operation.
Your tablets should be changed whenever:
the vehicle displays a notification on the pad wear indicator on the dashboard;
if the metallic noise is too loud;
the vehicle has between 30,000 and 40,000 km driven.
To maintain the service life of the different types of brake pads, it is recommended to avoid sudden braking and use parts indicated by the assembler - so, don't forget to give this guidance to your customers. When replacing, check that the disc is still in good condition, so as not to shorten the life of the new pads.
What are the main types of brake pads?
Organic Tablets
In the past, asbestos was the main material used to manufacture the pads, to achieve friction. Asbestos, or asbestos, is a resistant material, which can absorb and dissipate heat easily, is of good insulating quality, non-combustible, durable and flexible. However, when the tablet suffered breaks, a toxic powder was generated, causing major problems.
Today, organic tablets use materials that are slightly less resistant and harder, but safer for our health and less polluting. Consequently, organic brake pads are not recommended for use in heavy or high-performance vehicles. They are the most sought after due to their low cost and their application is directed to lighter cars.
Ceramic inserts
Very light, resistant and high performance, they are indicated for vehicles that need high precision braking. On the other hand, its construction is an expensive and laborious process, which makes it more expensive.
They are composed of ceramic fibers, non-ferrous fillers and bonding agents. They are cleaner, quieter, have smoother braking, slow wear and do not produce toxic dust.