How do I know which brake pads I need?

Signs You Need New Brake Pads

You hear a squealing noise. Picture this: You’re out driving with the radio off and the windows rolled up.
You hear a clicking noise.
Bringing the car to a stop takes more time than it used to.
The nose of your car pulls to one side when you brake.
The brake pedal vibrates when pressed.

How do I choose rotors?

How to Select Brake Rotors

Smooth rotors offer the quietest operation, lowest dust and longest pad life.
Drilled rotors offer slightly more bite and friction than slotted rotors.
Slotted & Drilled rotors offer a compromise, midway between the benefits of slotted rotors and drilled rotors.

Are thicker rotors better?

Thicker fins allows the manufacturer to produce a less expensive rotor because the surface that does all the stopping, the machined surfaces, can be made thinner but the replacement will still have the same discard thickness as the OE rotor even though the life expectancy can be severely shortened.

Can you see brakes without removing wheels?

Believe it or not, most of the time you can check pad wear without taking off the wheels. Usually, you can see the brake pad through the wheel and won’t need to remove it. Once you find the brake pad, notice its thickness. If it appears to be very thin, it’s almost used up.

How much are front rotors?

Rotors themselves range anywhere from $30-$80 each. Those prices depend on the quality, type and brand. In the instances that your rotors can be resurfaced, the price can be considerably less – around $100-$150 per axle.

Do I need special rotors for ceramic brake pads?

Because they are soft, ceramic pads do not damage rotors and provide smooth, even friction during braking. Ceramic pads are also clean and produce less dust as they wear down. Semi-metallic pads offer the advantage of low cost, which is one of the main reasons they are used on most new vehicles.