Brake pad

There is surely no more important part to your car or truck than the actual brake pad itself. These small and relatively inexpensive parts are the different between safe driving and an accident. Brake pads are installed into what is called the brake caliper, a hydraulic device that brings the brake pad into contact with the brake rotor. Brake rotors are usually made of cast iron or similar and the brake pad material is made to complement this iron rotor material by applying a frictional force without wearing or damaging the rotor and bring the vehicle to rest safely and quickly.

A modern brake pad being a mass produced item is found in a wide variety of sizes shapes and materials and at all price levels. The technology employed is designing and producing brake pads is a very exact science and to the end user of course there are few ways to visually differentiates between a good brake pad and a bad one.

However recently new legislation to create a level playing field has been introduced on the form of what is called the ECE R 90 brake safety regulation. This testing system widely used in Europe insists that every vehicle undergoes a brae safety test where the brake pad comes under close scrutiny on an individual basis, testing first the front brakes and then the rear brakes and comparing the performance of any aftermarket offerings with the original parts. In some cases the aftermarket part can fail this test because it is actually too effective and develops fare higher stopping power than those original items. The test therefore does limit the final braking power of the brake pad but does prevent a gross disparity between what a driver has become used to and what he receives in any brake service as a new item.

When testing a brake pad several things are analysed. First the cold friction is evaluated which is the initial brake deceleration that the driver will experience when first applying the brakes. Then the performance of the brake pad under load is evaluated by repeated hard stops to create a heavily loaded brake situation similar to a high speed stop or prolonged use of the brake on a hill descent for example.

If the brake pad passes all these tests it receives an approval number which is usually marked on the rear of the pad and also on the product packaging enabling consumers to easily detect an approved and non approved brake pad.

Brake pads are produced with a variety of materials and have a wide range of performance characteristics and also price levels . It is always wise to choose a quality known brand of parts if you intend to fit non original items but the internet is full of information and plentiful suppliers.