by Doug and Jamie Beachy,
The main difference between Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) brakes and aftermarket versions is glue vs. molding.
Now what to do?
Ok, so your brakes have one or more of the telltale signs they need service. Now what to do? Be confident you get it right if it’s time for brake replacement or repair.
A good pair of brake pads will last 30,000 and up to 50,000 miles. They wear out because the friction lining, which can be made of metallic, organic or ceramic material, wears off ever so slightly every time you apply the brakes. The brake pads clamp against the rotors, which halt the wheels.
[pull_quote_left]The factors to consider are wear, dust, noise, fade resistance and stopping power.[/pull_quote_left]After your new vehicle has gone through its first set of manufacturer pads, it needs replacement ones. The factors to consider are wear, dust, noise, fade resistance and stopping power.
First, consider materials. You can choose semi-metallic pads for high-performance needs. They are good with heat, so have top notch fade resistance. However, these brake pads can be shrill and squeaky from the moment you put them on and can create a lot of brake dust on your wheels.
Next, think about organic brakes. These are quieter and cleaner than semi-metallic, but they tend not to stop rotors as fast as other materials. They also tend to wear more quickly. At Christian Brothers of Loveland, our skilled technicians don’t normally recommend either semi-metallic or organic pads for most vehicles.
[pull_quote_right]The top level category in replacement pads is ceramic.[/pull_quote_right]The top level category in replacement pads is ceramic. They are excellent at coping with a wide range of heat situations, so are as effective after prolonged use as when you first put them on. They don’t wear out quickly, either. Beyond that, they are not nearly as dusty as the others. One negative is with high performance vehicles where in the hottest environments ceramics can seep too much heat onto the rotors.
Finally, another main difference in brake pads is how they are constructed. The main difference between Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) brakes and aftermarket versions is glue vs. molding. Your original pads were molded to the shim under high pressure. Most aftermarket varieties adhere with glue. Therefore, you may need to have them inspected more often and possibly replace them sooner.
The friendly brake replacement team at Christian Brothers Automotive in Loveland can tell you more. Come visit us or schedule a courtesy brake inspection by phone or through our website.
“Keeping your car humming” is written by Doug and Jamie Beachy, owners of Christian Brothers Automotive – Loveland at 6379 Branch Hill Guinea Pike.
