How Much Does a Brake Pad Replacement Cost?

A brake pad replacement could cost around $115 to $270 per axle at an auto repair shop. It includes $80 to $120 for labor and $35 to $150 for brake parts.

However, the exact brake pad replacement cost can vary depending on your local labor charges, vehicle model, and type of brake pads. The cost can increase if the mechanic needs to order parts.

Note: This doesn’t cover any additional disc brake repair costs, like a rotor replacement or resurfacing, which often accompany brake pad replacements.

How Critical Is a Brake Pad Replacement?

Worn brake pads affect your car’s braking or stopping power, so the brake repair service is urgent. 

Driving with worn brake pads can lead to a critical brake problem, like a brake fluid leak or loss of braking ability. Prolonged damage to the braking system may also result in expensive engine repair as you may resort to alternative methods to slow down or stop the vehicle.

That’s why it’s best to call a mobile brake repair service like AutoNation Mobile Service.

How Often Should I Change My Car’s Brake Pads?

Generally, disc brake pads can last for anywhere from 30,000 to 80,000 miles. 

That said, how long your brake pads last before you need brake replacement can depend on your driving conditions, type of brake pads, and driving habits. For example, ceramic brake pads last up to 70,000 miles, while organic brake pads last up to 20,000 miles.   

Front brake pads tend to wear out faster than rear brake pads. So, you might need to change them before replacing the rear brake pads. That’s why it’s best to get a brake inspection during any tire repair, like tire rotation that happens once or twice a year.

Note: Refer to your owner’s manual to know exactly when you’ll need a brake job.

What Are the Signs of Worn Brake Pads?

The brake pad is a part of disc brakes and is positioned between the caliper assembly and the brake rotor. 

Here’s how you can identify old or faulty brake pads:

1. Noisy brake system: Worn brake pads generate excessive noise, like loud squealing, squeaking, or low metal grinding due to exposed wear indicators.

2. Unusual feeling when braking: A shaky steering wheel could be caused by uneven brake pad wear. Your brake pedal may also feel soft or spongy, though that’s more often due to brake fluid issues.

3. Ineffective parking brake: If you have worn brake pads, the parking brake will become loose or ineffective.

4. Brake warning light turns on: If your vehicle is equipped with a brake pad sensor, the brake light will pop on to indicate a brake problem.

5. Noticeable physical wear and tear: You’ll need a brake service if you notice a visibly worn or old brake pad during a brake inspection.

Since these signs can lead to safety issues on the road, it’s best to seek mobile brake repair or auto services ASAP.

How to Replace Brake Pads?

Brake pad replacement, like any brake service, requires technical know-how, so it’s best to get a brake replacement from an expert.

Still, here’s how an automotive mechanic would go about replacing brake pads:

1. Apply the parking brake, and place the jack stands under the vehicle.

2. Remove the lug nuts and the wheel to locate the vehicle’s braking system assembly. They’ll also inspect the rotor, master cylinder, and brake line to see if you need new inventory.

3. Locate the two slider bolts that hold the brake caliper in place. Once the mechanic removes the bottom caliper bolt, the brake caliper should pivot upwards. The rubber hose (hydraulic line) will flex to allow this, so they won’t have to disconnect the hydraulic brake line.

4. Inspect the brake pads’ thickness. The mechanic may replace the pads if the riction material is thinner than one-eighth of an inch.

5. Locate the retaining clips that hold the old brake pad in place and slide out the brake pads.

6. Replace the retaining clips and apply brake grease to keep them from squeaking.

7. Slide in the new brake pads and push back the caliper piston.

8. Monitor the brake fluid level and drain some fluid if the reservoir overflows. This can happen when installing new brake pads as they compress the caliper piston. The mechanic may also perform a brake fluid flush to replace the dirty brake fluid.

9. Reposition the brake caliper and reinstall any caliper bolt that was removed.

10. Repeat the same procedure on the other side and test the new inventory to ensure everything works fine.

How Do Brake Pads Work?

Brake pads are the friction element in disc brakes (like a brake shoe in drum brakes.) 

When you press the brake pedal, the hydraulic pressure generated by the master cylinder causes the brake clipper to squeeze the disc brake pads together. This applies pressure and friction on the brake rotor, slowing the wheels and stopping the vehicle.

What Causes Brake Pad Wear?

Brake pads typically wear out over use. However, this wear can hasten due to:

1. Excessive braking: Pressing the car brakes too often can hasten disc brake system wear.

2. Driving at high speeds: Brake pads need to create more friction than usual to slow or stop a vehicle at high speeds.

3. Neglecting brake pad maintenance: All types of brake pad material, including ceramic brake pads, semi-metallic pads, and organic brake pads, create dust. Neglecting brake pad maintenance, like cleaning and lubrication, allows dust and debris to increase wear.

4. Poor brake system condition: Damaged or worn rotors can lead to hastened, uneven brake pad wear.

5. Heavy loads: The heavier your vehicle, the more effort your brake pads need to put in to reduce momentum, leading to greater wear on the brake parts.