disc brake pad

Brake pads are the friction components in your disc brake system that press against the spinning rotor to slow and stop your vehicle. Every time you press the brake pedal, the caliper clamps the pads onto both faces of the rotor, converting kinetic energy into heat through friction. That process happens hundreds of times every drive — and over time it wears the pad material down. When pads wear too thin, metal grinds against metal, destroying rotors and compromising stopping power. Replacing brake pads on schedule is the single most important routine brake maintenance task for any Canadian driver, especially given the extended stopping distances demanded by wet roads, snow, and ice.

Brake Pad Specifications That Matter

When shopping for replacement brake pads, these specs determine safety, performance, and correct fitment:

• Pad thickness — New brake pads typically measure 10–12 mm of friction material. Replace when worn to 3 mm or less — most vehicles trigger a dashboard warning at 2–3 mm via a wear indicator sensor or a built-in metal tab that squeals when contact is made.
• Friction compound — Ceramic, semi-metallic, or organic. Match the compound to your climate and driving style. See the types table above.
• Friction rating — Coded as two letters (e.g. FF, GG, HH). The first letter is cold friction, the second is hot friction. Higher letter = higher friction coefficient. Standard ratings (EE–GG) suit everyday driving; higher ratings (HH+) suit performance and heavy-duty use.
• Brake pad backing plate — The steel plate the friction material bonds to. Thicker, zinc-coated or galvanized backing plates resist rust jacking — the separation of friction material from the backing plate caused by corrosion. A critical spec for Canadian salt-belt vehicles.
• Shims and hardware — Anti-noise shims bonded or clipped to the pad backing reduce vibration and squeal. Always replace the caliper hardware kit (clips, shims, pins) when fitting new pads — worn hardware is a leading cause of brake noise after a pad change.
• Axle position — Front and rear pads are different parts. Front pads are typically thicker and handle more braking force. Always confirm front vs. rear before ordering.
• OEM vs. aftermarket — Quality aftermarket pads from Akebono, Wagner, Raybestos, Bosch, Hawk, and PowerStop match or exceed OEM performance. Cheap no-name pads often use inferior friction compounds that wear fast, produce excessive dust, and squeal persistently.

When to Replace Brake Pads

Replace your brake pads when any of these conditions are present:

• Pad friction material worn to 3 mm or less — Check visually through the wheel spokes or with the tire removed. The pad should have more than 3 mm of material visible above the metal backing plate.
• Brake warning light on dashboard — Indicates the wear sensor has made contact with the rotor. Replace immediately.
• Squealing or squeaking noise when braking — The built-in wear indicator tab is touching the rotor. You have limited kilometres left before metal-on-metal grinding begins.
• Grinding noise when braking — Friction material is gone. Pad backing plate is grinding directly against the rotor. Replace pads and rotors immediately.
• Vehicle pulling to one side when braking — Uneven pad wear, often caused by a seized caliper slide pin. Replace pads and service the caliper.
• Increased stopping distance or soft pedal feel — Can indicate glazed pads (overheated and hardened), worn pads, or both.

As a general rule: always replace brake pads in axle pairs (both front pads together, both rear pads together) to maintain even braking force. In most cases, replace rotors at the same time — new pads on worn rotors bed in unevenly and often cause noise and vibration from day one.

Why Buy Brake Pads from PartsBlue?

• Canadian catalogue, built for Canadian roads — We stock semi-metallic and galvanized-backing pad options suited for Canada’s salt belt. Our catalogue is built around Canadian vehicles and Canadian climate conditions.
• Fitment guaranteed — Every pad set is matched to your exact year, make, model, and axle position. Use our vehicle selector and shop with confidence — if it appears in your results, it fits.
• Best brands at competitive prices — Akebono, Wagner ThermoQuiet, Raybestos, Bosch QuietCast, ACDelco, Hawk Performance, PowerStop Z23, Centric, EBC, and more. The industry’s most trusted brake pad brands, all in one catalogue.
• Front, rear, and complete axle kits — Order front pads only, rear pads only, or a complete set for a full-vehicle brake job. Pad-and-rotor kits also available for a one-order axle refresh.
• Fast shipping across Canada — Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax — your brake pads ship from our Canadian warehouse. No border delays, no surprise duties.
• Competitive pricing — Beat dealer and shop pricing on parts. Buy your pads from PartsBlue, bring them to your mechanic or install them yourself, and save significantly on your brake job.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brake Pads

How much does it cost to just replace brake pads?

Parts only: $40–$120 CAD per axle for standard aftermarket pads, $80–$200 for premium ceramic or performance pads. Installed at an independent shop in Canada: $150–$300 CAD per axle including labour. Buying pads from PartsBlue and installing them yourself brings the cost down to parts only — one of the most affordable DIY brake jobs available.

How do you tell if your brake pads are bad?

The most common signs: squealing or squeaking when braking (wear indicator tab touching the rotor), grinding noise (metal-on-metal — pads are gone), longer stopping distances, the vehicle pulling to one side under braking, or the brake warning light illuminated on your dashboard. Visually, less than 3 mm of friction material visible through the wheel spokes is the replacement threshold.

Can I still drive if my brake pads are worn?

Not safely. Worn pads dramatically increase stopping distance and can lead to complete brake failure. If you hear grinding, the friction material is gone and your backing plate is destroying the rotor with every stop — what would have been a $150 pad replacement becomes a $500+ rotor-and-pad job. Replace worn pads immediately.

How often do brake pads need to be changed?

Every 50,000–100,000 km under normal Canadian driving conditions. City driving, mountain terrain, heavy towing, and aggressive braking habits all shorten pad life. Rear pads typically last longer than front pads. Inspect pad thickness at every tire rotation and every pre-winter service check.

Can I replace brake pads myself?

Yes — brake pad replacement is one of the most beginner-friendly DIY brake jobs. You need a basic socket set, a C-clamp or caliper piston press (front) or wind-back tool (some rear calipers), brake caliper grease, and a torque wrench. Budget 1–2 hours per axle. Always bed in new pads with the 30/30/30 procedure after installation.

How much will 4 new brake pads cost?

A set of 4 brake pads (one axle, both sides) costs $40–$120 CAD for standard aftermarket, $80–$200 CAD for premium ceramic or performance. A full vehicle set (all four corners, front and rear) runs $80–$400 CAD in parts depending on the brand and compound chosen.

What are the signs that brake pads need renewing?

Squealing or squeaking on braking, grinding or metal-on-metal noise, a vibrating or pulsing brake pedal, increased stopping distance, the vehicle pulling to one side when braking, visible pad thickness below 3 mm through the wheel spokes, or the brake pad warning light on the dashboard. Any one of these is enough reason to inspect and replace.

What is the 30/30/30 rule for brakes?

A bedding-in procedure for new brake pads and rotors: accelerate to 30 mph (50 km/h), make 30 moderate stops, and allow 30 seconds of slow rolling cooldown between each stop — never coming to a complete standstill. This deposits a uniform layer of friction material on the rotor surface, improving pad performance, reducing noise, and extending the life of both pads and rotors.

Can I check my brake pads without removing the tire?

Yes. On most vehicles you can see the brake pad through the wheel spokes by looking at the caliper assembly. The outer pad is visible pressed against the rotor face — if the friction material appears less than 3 mm thick, it’s time to replace. For a more accurate measurement, remove the wheel and use a ruler or pad thickness gauge. Many mechanics also check pad life during tire rotations.

How urgent are worn brake pads?

Very urgent. Brake pads at 2–3 mm should be replaced within days, not weeks. At this thickness, stopping distance increases significantly, and the wear indicator is actively touching the rotor. Pads that reach 0 mm mean the backing plate is grinding the rotor — at that point you risk brake fade, rotor damage, and potential loss of braking control.

Do brake pads come in pairs?

Yes. Brake pads are sold as an axle set — two pads for one axle (one for each side). Always replace both pads on the same axle at the same time to maintain even braking force across the vehicle. Never replace just one pad on a single corner.

How long can I drive with a brake pad warning?

Treat a brake pad warning light as an immediate service alert, not a suggestion. Most vehicles trigger the warning at 2–3 mm of remaining material — at typical Canadian driving rates, you may have as few as 1,000–3,000 km before metal-on-metal contact begins. In winter conditions, that margin shrinks further. Book your brake service as soon as the warning appears.