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When to Change Brake Pads and Look for Wear

So you think it is time to replace your brake pads cause they might have some wear and tear?  How do you check on this?

You can check for brake pad wear by viewing the pads from outside the front tire. On most cars, you can look through the openings on the outside of the wheel assembly to see the pads.  On rare occasions, you may have to remove the wheel to see the pads.  The outside pad should be staring you in the face. Look at it from above. The pad will be pressed against the metal rotor.  Now, there are two way to determine whether the pads need replacing.

First, visually look at the pad indicators. If the pad depth is less than ¼ inch, plan on replacing it soon. If it's less than 1/8 inch, you're getting close to damaging the rotor.  This means replace the pads asap or you will have to spend much more on rotors. This varies slightly from car to car, but is a good general guideline.

Second way is to check by ear.  Brake pads have noisemaking shims into the brake assembly to tell you when the pads need changing. If you hear a screeching sound when you apply the brakes, then your pads are most likely worn down and need replacing.  If the sound is more a scraping metal noise while driving without brake pedal pressure, you've already damaged your rotors and need to fix the brakes immediately.

Now that you have determined that the pads are due for replacement, you need to select what pad is best for you.  Consult a professional to discuss your driving habits and vehicle use to get the pad that best suits you.  If you are looking to further upgrade your brake system, it is never a pad thing to change or upgrade to slotted or drilled rotors.  At the same time, using Synthetic brake fluid and steel braided brake lines will give you improved pedal response and much better braking performance.

View our Brake Upgrade Section Here which includes Brake Pads, Brake Lines, Brake Rotors, and more.

Displaying 1 to 50 (of 12166 products) Result Pages:  1  2  3  4  5 ...  [Next >>] 
 AMS20347310001 
Amuse R1 Brake Pad | Front & Rear Nissan 370Z 09-14 

 Amuse R1 Brake Pad | Front & Rear Nissan 370Z 09-14 

 $786.72 
 AMS20347320001 
Amuse R1 Brake Pad | Front Nissan 370Z 09-14 

 Amuse R1 Brake Pad | Front Nissan 370Z 09-14 

 $429.41 
 AMS20347330001 
Amuse R1 Brake Pad | Rear Nissan 370Z 09-14 

 Amuse R1 Brake Pad | Rear Nissan 370Z 09-14 

 $416.51 
 ACT45237320001 
Auto Craft Brake Pad | Front 01 Mazda 2 07-13 

 Auto Craft Brake Pad | Front 01 Mazda 2 07-13 

 $196.78 
 ACT40127320001 
Auto Craft Brake Pad | Front 01 Mazda RX-7 FD3S 93-02 

 Auto Craft Brake Pad | Front 01 Mazda RX-7 FD3S 93-02 

 $196.78 
 ACT45237320002 
Auto Craft Brake Pad | Front 02 Mazda 2 07-13 

 Auto Craft Brake Pad | Front 02 Mazda 2 07-13 

 $216.46 
 ACT40127320002 
Auto Craft Brake Pad | Front 02 Mazda RX-7 FD3S 93-02 

 Auto Craft Brake Pad | Front 02 Mazda RX-7 FD3S 93-02 

 $216.46 
 EXE45237322A01 
AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 01 De5Fs Sport Mazda 2 08-13 

 AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 01 De5Fs Sport Mazda 2 08-13 

 $142.94 
 EXE45237322B01 
AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 01 Type B Mazda 2 08-13 

 AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 01 Type B Mazda 2 08-13 

 $142.94 
 EXE45227320002 
AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 02 Mazda 2 03-07 

 AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 02 Mazda 2 03-07 

 $142.94 
 EXE41117322A02 
AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 02 Type A Mazda 6 03-08 

 AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 02 Type A Mazda 6 03-08 

 $216.81 
 EXE45237322A03 
AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 03 De5Fs Sport Mazda 2 08-13 

 AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 03 De5Fs Sport Mazda 2 08-13 

 $216.81 
 EXE45227320003 
AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 03 Mazda 2 03-07 

 AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 03 Mazda 2 03-07 

 $216.81 
 EXE41417322A03 
AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 03 Type A Mazda 04-11 

 AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 03 Type A Mazda 04-11 

 $290.67 
 EXE45237322B03 
AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 03 Type B Mazda 2 08-13 

 AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 03 Type B Mazda 2 08-13 

 $216.81 
 EXE41117322A12 
AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 12 Type A Mazda 6 03-08 

 AutoExe Brake Pad | Front 12 Type A Mazda 6 03-08 

 $142.94 
 EXE41117332A06 
AutoExe Brake Pad | Rear 06 Type A Mazda 6 03-08 

 AutoExe Brake Pad | Rear 06 Type A Mazda 6 03-08 

 $195.71 
 EXE41117332B06 
AutoExe Brake Pad | Rear 06 Type B Mazda 6 03-08 

 AutoExe Brake Pad | Rear 06 Type B Mazda 6 03-08 

 $195.71 
 EXE41117332A07 
AutoExe Brake Pad | Rear 07 Type A Mazda 6 03-08 

 AutoExe Brake Pad | Rear 07 Type A Mazda 6 03-08 

 $132.38 
 EXE41117332B07 
AutoExe Brake Pad | Rear 07 Type B Mazda 6 03-08 

 AutoExe Brake Pad | Rear 07 Type B Mazda 6 03-08 

 $132.38 
 45-06870D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Audi TT Early 99-00 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Audi TT Early 99-00 

 $49.60 
 45-0687WD 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Volkswagen Beetle 00-11 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Volkswagen Beetle 00-11 

 $64.15 
 45-06840D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Volkswagen Golf MK3 1996 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Volkswagen Golf MK3 1996 

 $46.00 
 45-06870D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Volkswagen Golf MK4 96-99 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Volkswagen Golf MK4 96-99 

 $49.60 
 45-0687WD 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Volkswagen Golf MK4 99-04 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Volkswagen Golf MK4 99-04 

 $64.15 
 45-06840D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Volkswagen Jetta 1996 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Volkswagen Jetta 1996 

 $46.00 
 45-06870D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Volkswagen Jetta 99-04 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Volkswagen Jetta 99-04 

 $49.60 
 45-0687WD 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Volkswagen Jetta Wagon 01-05 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pad Volkswagen Jetta Wagon 01-05 

 $64.15 
 45-05030D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura CL 3.0L V6 97-99 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura CL 3.0L V6 97-99 

 $43.95 
 45-07870D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura CL Coupe 01-03 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura CL Coupe 01-03 

 $39.75 
 45-04650D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura CL Coupe 97-99 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura CL Coupe 97-99 

 $34.20 
 45-04090D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura Integra 90-93 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura Integra 90-93 

 $34.70 
 45-06170D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura Integra 94-01 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura Integra 94-01 

 $38.65 
 45-05030D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura Integra Type R 97-01 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura Integra Type R 97-01 

 $43.95 
 45-05030D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura NSX 91-05 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura NSX 91-05 

 $43.95 
 45-09480D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura RSX Non-Type S 02-06 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura RSX Non-Type S 02-06 

 $42.85 
 45-08290D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura RSX Type S 02-06 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura RSX Type S 02-06  

 $38.80 
 45-05030D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura TL 2.5L/3.2L 96-98 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura TL 2.5L/3.2L 96-98 

 $43.95 
 45-07870D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura TL 99-08 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura TL 99-08 

 $39.75 
 45-10010D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura TL w/Brembo 04-08 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura TL w/Brembo 04-08 

 $49.40 
 45-07870D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura TSX 04-10 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Acura TSX 04-10 

 $39.75 
 45-0840WD 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi A4 00-06 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi A4 00-06 

 $68.80 
 45-05550D 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi A4 96-99 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi A4 96-99 

 $65.00 
 45-0839WD 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi A6 00-04 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi A6 00-04 

 $100.25 
 45-0840WD 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi A6 98-04 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi A6 98-04 

 $68.80 
 45-0839YD 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi A8 99-03 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi A8 99-03 

 $110.35 
 45-0839WD 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi Allroad 01-06 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi Allroad 01-06 

 $100.25 
 45-0839WD 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi S4 99-02 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi S4 99-02  

 $100.25 
 45-0839WD 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi S6 02-06 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi S6 02-06 

 $100.25 
 45-0687WD 
Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi TT 00-06 

 Axxis Deluxe Advanced Front Brake Pads Audi TT 00-06 

 $64.15