The slowing mechanisms of vehicles, trucks, and cruisers are comprised of various parts that interpret the driver’s activities into actual power that stops the vehicle. One of those brake parts is your vehicle’s brake cushions. Brake pads are pads that fit into each brake caliper to create friction. Brake cushions operate with each wheel’s brake caliper and brake circle to stop the vehicle safely and are an integral piece of the stopping mechanism.
How do brake pads work?
Every time the pedal or the braking mechanism is put to action, there is a lot that goes behind that the driver is never able to see, this involves fluids various materials coming and squeezing together to a lot of heat being generated as a result of the friction and also being effectively dissipated to not cause any harm. the process begins as soon as the driver puts pressure on the braking pedal, this allows hydraulic fluids to rush to the braking calipers which in-turn puts pressure on the brake pads and squeezes them on the fast-rotating brake discs. This causes an action of friction that causes the wheels to come to a halt, bringing the vehicle to a safe and rolling stop.
Brake pads illustration taken from autopartspro.co.uk
When to change the brake pads of your vehicle?
As mentioned earlier the action of braking in the vehicle produces a lot of pressure, stress, and heat as the brake pads rub against the disks, the heat produced has adverse effects on the pads as a result. The pads are exposed to extreme pressure, heat, and stress and can only withstand this only for many times and slowly get damaged under these effects. This means that over time the brake pads have to be replaced after a certain period, this is usually done when you get the vehicle serviced.
How to change brake pads?
There are just a few steps to change the brake pads of your vehicle, although it must be left to the professionals as they are equipped with the knowledge and the skill to get the procedure done efficiently and effectively and save you a lot of time and effort. But this does not mean that you cannot do it yourself, these steps are very few and simple as follows:
Before you begin the process ensures that you have the owner’s manual by your side so that you don’t get stuck mid-way. It starts with removing the wheel, the slider bolts, and then the following steps:
- Switch the caliper on
- Drag the old pads from the brake
- Replace the clips for retention
- Run through the fresh pads
- The pistons are to be retracted
- This is followed by checking the amount of brake fluid in the vehicle
- Remove the slider bolt and install them back.
These steps are to be followed and then the brakes are to be tested before taking the vehicle on road, they are to be assessed carefully s as to provide superior braking to the vehicle.
