Braking systems have been around almost as long as the wheel, and have evolved quite dramatically over time. Modern braking systems typically use hydraulics and calipers to press a set of brake pads against the rotor, which in turn creates friction and slows down the wheel’s spinning.
The brakes and rotors in this system are what are known as ‘maintenance’ parts, meaning that various components will wear out over time and need replacing every so often.
When should I replace my brakes and rotors?
How often should I replace my brake pads and rotors?
Brakes and rotors, by nature of their individual functions, will wear out at different speeds and need to be replaced at differing intervals.
Brake Pads
Brake pads need to be replaced every 10,000 to 20,000 miles. You may, however, need to change them more often if you live in an area where you utilize your brakes more than the average person, such as hilly terrain where you need to brake harder to maintain safe speeds.
Brake pads may also need to be replaced more frequently if you use less expensive or softer type brake pads. Ceramic brake pads, for instance, have a reputation for durability and longevity, while organic-type brake pads will need to be replaced more often.
Most brake pads are designed with a metallic sensor in them that lets you know when it is approaching time to change the pads. This sensor is little more than a soft-metallic tab that, as your brake pads wear down, will start making connections against the rotor. This does not damage the rotor, but it will create a hissing or squealing noise to alert you that your brake pads are wearing thin. If you hear this noise, it is likely a sign that your brake pads need replacing.
Other signs that brake pads may need replacing include hearing grinding or rumbling noises when applying the brakes – which indicate that your brake pads may have worn down completely – or increased vibration in the steering wheel when applying the brakes.
Rotors
Rotors are the large metal discs that encircle the wheel hub assembly and are what the brake pads are pressed against to make the vehicle slow down. Because there are no moving parts to this, and because they are made of much stronger metals than the brake pads themselves, they do not have to be replaced nearly as often.
Still, they are not designed to last the life of your vehicle, and will likely need replacing more than once.
As a general rule of thumb, to keep your brakes working at peak efficiency, rotors ought to be replaced every 50,000-70,000 miles. As with brake pads, this number will change if your vehicle sees heavy use, or if you live in an area that demands increased braking.
Because they are an integral part of your braking system, rotors should also be replaced or at the very least examined for damage if you notice any of the following signs:
-Increased vibration when braking
A simple sign that your rotor may be failing is if you notice your vehicle shaking and shimmying when braking. These vibrations can be caused by grooves or cracks in the rotor itself, or by damage or rust on the rotor assembly.
-Loud grinding or hissing sounds
Similar to the previous point, any damage to the rotor will cause increased braking noise as the brake pads are pressed against it.
-Cracks or grooves in the rotor itself
The surface of a rotor is supposed to be smooth to the touch, like high-quality stainless steel or the surface of a mirror. However, occasionally debris can work its way in between the brake pads and the rotor, or the brake pads themselves may be worn down and scraping against the surface of the rotor.
When this happens, it often creates grooves in the smooth surface of the rotor, reducing the efficacy of the braking system as a whole and leading to further damage such as full-on cracks in the rotor.
If you run your fingers over the rotor and feel grooves or cracks rather than a uniformly smooth surface, that is a sure sign that it is time to replace your brake rotors.
Why do I need to replace my brake pads and rotors?
There are two main reasons you would want to replace your brake pads or rotors.
The first, quite simply, is because preventative maintenance is the best kind of maintenance. Preventative maintenance is when you replace a part that, even though there may be nothing immediately wrong with it, has reached the end of its recommended use cycle.
In the case of brake pads, for instance, this would be somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 miles even if the pad is still functioning adequately.
Preventative maintenance, as the name implies, is done to prevent possible problems down the road, rather than fix a problem that already exists. It is also the best way to ensure that those problems only rarely crop up.
The other reason to replace brake pads or rotors, obviously, is to repair a broken or damaged part. Both of these items are parts that are designed to have maintenance performed on them at regular intervals. They will wear out eventually.
If you let them go for too long without replacing them, they will break and potentially cause further damage to your vehicle.
Brake pads or rotors that are damaged or broken will directly impede your vehicle’s ability to stop reliably, and may even fail to brake completely depending on how bad the damage is.
What are rotors?
Rotors are metallic discs that fit around your wheel hub assembly and act as a braking surface against which the brake pads are pressed. They come in several different materials (cast iron, aluminum, steel, etc.), construction type (solid vs. vented), and design (smooth vs. drilled vs. slotted).
Solid rotors are pretty much what the name implies, they are solid throughout with no venting. These are found on most new vehicles. Drilled rotors have holes drilled in them to allow water and dust to dissipate easily, and are most often found on vehicles in wetter climates. Slotted rotors have manufactured grooves in them that provide greater stopping power for larger vehicles.
Rotors wear down or become damaged when debris gets between the brake pad and the rotor, when you drive with worn-down brake pads, or when you perform sudden or aggressive braking maneuvers.
Finding the right brake rotors for your vehicle with AutoShack is as easy as visiting our website and plugging your vehicle’s make, model, and year into our search engine.
What are brake pads
Brake pads are the part of the braking system that applies pressure to the rotor when you step on the brake pedal. They come in three basic types: non-asbestos organic, semi-metallic, and ceramic.
Each brake pad type is made of a different main material. Non-asbestos organic pads tend to be softer and wear out quicker than the other types but provide a quieter brake as well. In general, it is advised to use organic pads on lighter vehicles where you will not be doing a lot of heavy braking. Organic pads may also leave dust or particulates on the rotor as a result of braking.
Semi-metallic pads are excellent at dispersing the heat created by the friction of braking and have good stopping power. However, because they are generally made of harder materials than either organic or ceramic brakes, they tend to be noisier and may wear more heavily on your rotor than the other types. They tend to generate more dust than ceramic pads, though not as much as organic ones.
Ceramic pads are generally considered to be top-of-the-line brake pads, with excellent stopping power, reduced brake noise and dust, and good longevity. They do tend to be more expensive than either organic or semi-metallic, however.
It is important to know that brake pads are typically not interchangeable between vehicles and may not even be interchangeable between different years of the same model vehicle.
A brake pad that fits your 2002 Chevy truck may not fit a 2005 Chevy truck. Be sure to do your research and find out exactly the type of brake pad your vehicle needs, and then purchase that specific brake pad.
AutoShack can help you find the exact type of brake pad you need for your vehicle through our search engine. Just plug in your vehicle’s parameters, and we’ll show you what brake pads are available for it.
How much does it cost to replace brake and rotor kits?
Labor
Labor costs typically run anywhere from $45 to $175 [CA: $61.65 to 239.75] an hour, depending on where you live and what mechanic you use. In general, local mechanic shops will be cheaper than going to a dealership mechanic.
Replacing brake pads typically takes about an hour or so of labor, and since it is typically advised that you replace both sets of brake pads at the same time to ensure even braking, getting your brake pads replaced will, in general, cost between $90 and $350 [CA $123.30 and $479.50] in labor.
Brake rotors will cost similarly in terms of labor, but may be slightly more costly due to the more involved process of removing the rotors.
Parts
The cost of your brake pads and rotors will vary depending on your vehicle's make and model, but a general rule of thumb to get the best value is to buy aftermarket parts from a trusted seller.
Aftermarket parts tend to be cheaper than factory-new parts, and you can usually bring them to your mechanic and have them installed there.
AutoShack offers bundles and kits for replacing your brake pads and rotors, which can further save you money.
AutoShack makes finding the right brake and rotor replacement easy
AutoShack offers an easy purchasing experience through the use of our intuitive drop-down menu, as well as the ability to purchase complete rotor and brake replacement kits.
We offer fast, free shipping on most orders, and will generally ship your order within 5 business days. Need brake pads ASAP? Try our expedited shipping option!