Front And Rear Brake Pads

Brake pads are an important part of any car. However, they are a part that most people don't think about until they need to be fixed. By definition brakes pads are steel plates connected to a brake disk or drum that are designed to halt a vehicle. Knowing general information about pads, both rear and front, can help when the time come to have them changed or repaired.

Brake pads are located behind the wheels and are equipped with drum or disk brakes. Drum brakes are usually connected to a rotating wheel and the friction is created by the pads rubbing against the inner surface of the drum. Disk brakes are connected to a wheel or axle, and friction occurs when the pads rub against either side of the disk.

Understanding how brake pads function involves a little physics. Both rear brake pads and front brake pads convert energy the same. When the pads come in contact with a disk or a drum they become heated. Once heated, they produce small amounts of friction. This friction causes the brake pads and the disk or drum to stick, thus causing a halt or stop.

Cars with disk brakes usually have two brake pads for each disk rotor. Cars with drum brakes usually are equipped with brake pads connected to the inside of the drum, so that they cause friction on the inside of the drum itself.

Different kinds of cars are equipped with softer or harder brake pads. It's generally a personal preference, but for some it's a requirement. For instance, race cars require harder pads to allow for faster stopping. The average car has softer pads. However, if harder pads are desired they can be installed professionally or personally. Just be careful if installing personally, because temperature inside the car can fluctuate, causing injury.

There is no fool-proof way to change brake pads. Many people have different methods on how to change brake pads. No matter what, there are a few tools that are commonly used: A lug wrench, c-clamp, adjustable wrench, hammer, and a small bungee cord. Before starting, make sure to take safety precautions, and possibly have another person present in case of an emergency.

The first step is to remove the wheel by breaking the lugs that hold the wheel in place. However, before removing the lugs the car needs to be raised via a jackstand, in order to provide easy removal of the wheel. It's important to make sure the stand is secured before working under the car. If it's not secured the car could collapse on top of anybody working under it.

After the lugs of been removed the next step is to remove the brake caliper, which is located in a 12 o'clock position, right above the lugs. To remove the caliper, the bolts behind it must be taken off. They are usually not stubborn, but if they are, a few good taps should loosen them up.

Next , the old brake pads need to be removed. They should slide right off so the new pads can be installed. Next, there will be a round piston poking out, this is what pushes the pads. Push the piston back to the starting point and tighten it with the c-clamp. Now the piston is set up for the new pads, and not the old ones. Lastly, screw the calipers back on. Don't forget to put the wheel and lugs back on!

Although brake pads are a mystery to some, hidden by massive tires, it's actually quite easy to change worn out pads. Rear brake pads and front brake pads can be changed by the same method. Just make sure to use safety precautions when changing the pads and have someone there in case of an emergency.


Sources:
Drum Brakes. Wikipedia. 20 Mar. 2007. 27 Mar. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_brake
Disc Brake. Wikipedia. 18 Mar. 2007. 27 Mar. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_brake
Brake Pads. Wikipedia. 26 Feb. 2007. 27 Mar. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_pads
Wright, Matthew. "Replace Your Brake Pads. About: Auto Repair. 2007. About, Inc. 27 Mar. 2007. http://autorepair.about.com/od/fixityourself/ss/br akepadreplace.htm?terms=brake+pads


At times Hummers require very heavy brake pads because of their sheer mass.