Usually, a set of brakes in a regular car will be sufficient for between 25,000 & 50,000 miles. Choices for brake pad liner material are ceramic, metallic or organic. Pads press on rotors, which stop the wheels from spinning.

After your new vehicle has burned through its initial brake pads, it needs new ones. In addition to your choices regarding what the pad consists of, you have considerations about the level of performance. In this article, we’ll talk about your brake pad repair options so you can stop in time, every time. The factors to consider are stopping power, fade resistance, noise, dust and wear.

First, think about what it’s made of. You can choose replacement pads of semi-metallic material for extreme conditions. You don’t need to stress about brake fade because of their heat resistance. These pads can be bothersome from the get go due to noise, and they cause dusty rotors. At Christian Brothers of Alpharetta, our skilled technicians don’t say these are best for typical driving.

Next, consider organic brakes. These are quiet and clean, but they are the worst at actual oomph.

Ceramics are next up. They are the best asbestos alternative. Choose these pads for power over time. They also have a long life, so you will not have to repair all the time. Beyond that, they aren’t dusty. They are not good enough for racing though.

You need to be familiar with how the pads are made. The main thing between the original manufacturer’s brake pads and aftermarket models is glue vs. molding. For the manufacturer-installed brake pads, the automobile manufacturer molds the brake pad material to the shim directly with intense pressure, meaning more consistency.

Aftermarket ones just use glue. You could have inconsistency.

The right brake pads for your vehicle differ based on your kind of car and how you are behind the wheel, and Christian Brothers can help you decide. We encourage you to make an appointment.