The warning signs in order
- A high metallic squeal when braking — the wear indicator touching the rotor
- A grinding, grating sound — the pad material is gone, metal on metal
- Pedal pulsing or a shudder through the steering wheel under braking
- Longer stopping distance or a pedal that sinks toward the floor
- The car pulling to one side when you brake
- Brake warning light on the dash
How long should pads last?
Anywhere from 30,000km to 70,000km depending entirely on how and where you drive. Gold Coast Highway stop-start traffic and hilly hinterland runs both eat pads faster than open-road driving. Front pads wear roughly twice as fast as rears.
Rotors do not automatically need replacing with the pads. If they are above the minimum thickness stamped on the hub and not badly scored, they can be machined instead.
What a proper brake job includes
- Quality pads matched to the vehicle and how you drive
- Rotors measured, then machined or replaced as required
- Caliper slide pins cleaned and re-greased so pads wear evenly
- Brake fluid checked — flushed if it is old or has absorbed moisture
- Handbrake adjusted
- Road test and bed-in procedure
Done in your driveway
Brakes are one of the easiest jobs to do mobile — no hoist required, and you are not driving an unsafe car to a workshop. Call 0434 728 765 for a quote on your make and model.
Broken down right now? We come to you on the roadside, 7 days.