News

Your car is a complex collection of automotive parts and systems that allow your car to perform everything that it does. As a driver, you must do everything to maintain your vehicle's ability to move forward. But what's often overlooked (and just as important) is maintaining the system that allows your car to slow down and come to a stop: your brakes.

How Does Your Car Brakes Work?

• Brake Discs or Rotors: These are connected to the wheels, and when pressure is applied on the brake pedal, the brake pads squeeze, and the brake rotors will slow down.
• Brake Pedal: Located in the vehicle's cabin, the brake pedal is the mechanism that drivers manually press on that allows the braking system to start working. 
• Brake Lines: The brake lines carry the brake fluid through the entire braking system and allow the brake pedal's pressure to slow down the rotors.
• Brake Caliper: The brake caliper is the part of the braking system that houses all of the mechanical components that allow for pressure to be applied to the rotors. This includes the brake piston, brake rotors, and brake pads. 
• Brake Fluid: Brake fluid is vital to the hydraulic system that allows for your brakes to work.
• Brake Pads: Brake pads are the actual mechanism that faces intense wear as they're the part that is used to slow the rotors down. These pads are designed to grip the brake rotors and meet a lot of friction and heat. 

Why Do Brake Pads Need to Be Replaced?

Are All Brake Pads The Same?

Types of Brake Pads 

• Organic: Organic brake pads are the most affordable option and are made up of a mixture of fibers and materials like fiberglass, rubber, glass, Kevlar, and other materials. These materials are usually bound together with resit and produce less dust and stress while sacrificing performance and longevity.
• Metallic: Semi-metallic brake pads are comprised of metals like copper, iron, steel, or other alloys. These metals are combined with graphite lubricant and other materials. Metallic brake pads perform the best compared to the other two options. They also help to prevent damage to the rotors and other braking components. The disadvantages of metallic brake pads are that they are usually louder than the different options and are slightly more expensive than organic brake pads. 
• Ceramic: Ceramic brake pads are made from a material similar to what is used to make pottery but are denser and more durable. These brake pads also have copper fibers that help increase their grip. While ceramic brake pads are more expensive than the other options, their benefits include lower noise, less brake residue, and broader performance environments. 

Which Brake Pad Should I Buy?

Get Professional Brake Repair & Brake Pad Replacement in Boulder, CO