

Full metallic and sintered metal brake pads more common on motorcycles and ATVs than cars and trucks. The higher metal percentage improves stopping power and fade resistance with superior heat transfer over organic formulas. Brake pads with over 30-60 percent metal content make up the majority of this category. Semi-metallic and metallic brake pads pick up where organic brake pads fade away. NAO low metallic organic brake pads can have some metals in the mix, but the percentage generally falls under 30 percent. Most new vehicles roll out of the factory with organic brake pads, so look for stock replacement pads to restore original performance. The forgiving formulations don’t stand up to the heat of repeated heavy braking, and dust can be a concern. Organic pad compounds are easier on rotors than others, and while they can wear out faster, they are generally the least expensive. Asbestos was a common brake pad friction material until it was determined to cause irreversible lung damage and cancer. Not to be confused with organic broccoli rabe or garbanzo beans, organic brake pads can contain a blend of materials including fibers, rubber, glass, carbon, ceramics, metals, Kevlar, and resins that bind everything together.

Predictable, quiet performance that meets most drivers’ everyday needs makes NAO organic brake pads the most common type. Choose a value line, stock replacement, premium, high-performance, or heavy-duty brake pads based on your driving needs. Friction materials are less critical than brake pad grade. Our Wagner TQ ThermoQuiet brake pad set was a new ceramic formula part number that replaced an older semi-metallic part number. TRW lists copper-free ceramic, semi-metallic, and low metallic within its same Ultra series. Upcoming regulations on copper content are changing material use industry-wide.īrake pad materials often vary within the same product line, depending on the platform. Brake pad formulations are a closely guarded secret, and there are no standard definitions of what combination or percentage of materials makes one brake pad ceramic and another organic. Inspect and replace your brake pads before the rotors and calipers are damaged beyond repair.īrake pads fall into types based on their friction materials, and each blend has its advantages and drawbacks. Complete brake jobs are more expensive than brake pads. Worn out brake pads can cause unpredictable and dangerous braking performance overall.

The brake pads, disc rotor, and caliper work together as a whole. Built-in materials make a loud screeching noise when brake pads reach their safe wear limit. And since the Montero won’t be running the Dakar Rally or towing a boat anytime soon, the standard stock replacement grade was the way to go. Materials, quality, grade, and ease of installation were deciding factors.įrom a DIY standpoint, the best brake pads come with everything you need to get the job done.

Ironically, the brake pads still had some meat on them, but we purchased a selection of stock replacement brake pads along with new rotors and remanufactured calipers for the task. Road salt and corrosion damaged the brake calipers and rotors beyond repair, so we opted for a total disc brake job. Our brake pad installation test and review was part of a complete brake overhaul on our rust-ravaged 1989 Mitsubishi Montero. We put together a selection of brake pads as part of a full brake overhaul, so read on and find the best brake pads for your ride and your driving style. Stock replacement brake pads are the right choice in most cases, and if you want or need something more, there are plenty of options to match your needs. One driver’s grocery-getter is another’s world rally car. Brake systems are factory engineered for the vehicle, but everyone has a different driving style. What you drive and how you drive it are the deciding factors in choosing the best brake pads. And that's why regular brake inspection and maintenance keeps you and everyone else safe on the road. That's the main reason brake pads and rotors wear out as they work. When you hit the brake pedal, the caliper clamps the pads onto the rotor, creates friction, and converts kinetic energy into heat as you slow down. Disc brake pads, calipers, and rotors work together for predictable stops. But if you catch brake pad wear early, you might be able to swap in a new set and go. Putting a piece of tape or “I Voted" sticker over the brake warning light won’t help either. When the screeching stops, the heavy metal wreckage begins. Hoping it will go away, or that it’s just a stubborn chunk of rust gnashing around in there, is misplaced optimism that can have dire and expensive consequences. Noisy brakes? That diabolical screeching every time you hit the brakes is more than just an annoyance rather, that's your brake pads giving you one final warning before things truly get ugly.
