Bellflower Brake Pads Replacement
Drivers in Bellflower are always asking “what is one of the most important components of my vehicle?” They are the brakes of course, in particularly, the brake pads. These are the components that makes your vehicle stop. They’re also one of the components that when they wear out over time can be a major safety risk. This is because we all know what it means if you can’t stop when you need to. The reason that they wear out is due to the fact that they use friction to help you stop. Sadly, all that friction eventually takes a toll on your brakes and over time is shows. Brake pads are made up of materials engineered to slow your vehicle without destroying the brake pad and brake disc each time contact is made. Brake pads used to be made of asbestos. Several years ago asbestos was discovered to be a carcinogen and associated with causing certain cancers and eventually fazed out of production. Over the years auto manufacturers have engineered several materials for making brake pads. These are organic, semi-metallic and ceramic.
Organic – Organic brake pads made from materials like rubber, glass, and Kevlar too their place. They are softer than other brake pads, which makes for a quieter function. Thus they wear more sooner and create more dust and debris as they wear down. Moreover because these pads are softer, they don’t offer as much stopping power. Organic pads are generally suited for light cars that don’t see heavy use.
Semi-Metallic – Semi-metallic pads, sometimes referred to as metallic pads, are much more sturdy. As per they’re named they are made from metal, such as iron shavings or bits of steel wire held together with graphite. Metal usually makes up about 30 to 65 percent of the brake pad, thus the name “semi-metallic”. Because metallic brake rotors are hard, they provide good stopping power, but they put more wear on brake rotors / discs. The hard pads also noisier than organic pads.
One of the cons are metallic brake pads need to warm up before they work at their best. In very cold weather, they can take longer to get their maximum efficiency, so caution is always advised until your vehicle is fully warmed up. Metallic pads are a good product at a reasonable price, and provide good stopping power under normal driving conditions.
Ceramic – Ceramic brake pads are even more durable. They are made of ceramic materials, sometimes with small amounts of copper. The ceramics dissipate heat well, which keeps them from wearing. That can mean that the rotors take on more heat though, which can lead to rotor warping. Ceramic pads are also more expensive. Ceramic pads are also lighter, which, paired with their heat resistance, makes them well suited to motorsport or aggressive driving. They also produce the least brake dust of any type of brake pads, and less noise than semi-metallic pads.
How often should you have your brakes checked
There are a few ways to tell if you need brake service. Some vehicle’s have brake-pad sensors that let the driver when the brakes should be checked via a warning light on the dash or a message showing when you start your vehicle. Some brake systems have a metal scraper attached to the pads that creates a warning alarm by squealing or screeching when they wear to a certain level. Even though the sound is very disconcerting and annoying it’s usually harmless, unless ignored. If the noise is less of a screech and more of a grumbling, grinding sound, the pads at one or all of the wheels may be completely worn, and continued use of your vehicle can cause serious damage to the rotor(s). If you hear grinding when slowing down you should contact Orozco’s Auto Service of Bellflower ASAP. You should never wait to replace the brake pads for weeks or months after the first warning signs, considering functional brakes are a top priority. From a safety standpoint, they are more important than the engine. Due to the fact, a poorly maintained engine could result in engine failure. But poorly maintained brakes can be life-threatening.
To be sure that your vehicle is always able to make the safest stops, we recommend changing the brakes before they exhibit the irregularities mentioned above. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual should have recommendations for inspecting the pads at every oil change because the life of brake-pad can vary greatly, depending on your driving style, whether and driving conditions. Brake pads should always be replaced when they reach their service limit, which is usually measured at about 0.1 inch.
If your vehicle is showing any of the above signs or you believe your vehicle’s needs new brake or are not sure and would like to have your brakes inspected, call Orozco’s Auto Service of Bellflower today at 562-920-1871. Always keep your vehicle in good condition and ensure the safety of yourself, your loved ones, and those around you!
Orozco’s Auto Service Bellflower – Los Angeles County CA
9665 Alondra Blvd. Bellflower, CA 90706, USA
Call Today: 562-920-1871 – Auto/Fleet/Diesel Service Repair
Orozco’s Auto Service has five convenient locations throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties Long Beach, Bellflower, Garden Grove or Fullerton!
