3 Signs Your Toyota Needs New Brake Pads

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Brake pads are an important part of your Toyota’s braking system. They generate the friction that brings your car to a stop. These pads wear down over time and will eventually need replacement. As your Toyota dealer, we want you to know some of the signs that you need to visit us for new pads.

Screeching Brakes

A set of pads fits into each caliper, and a caliper is positioned above each of your wheel rotors. When you hit the brakes, the calipers clamp on either side of the wheel rotors. The pads generate friction against the smooth wheel rotors, and this action brings the rotors to a stop. Each time you apply the brakes, tiny parts of the pads fleck off.

When a pad’s friction material covering has worn down, a tiny metal spike will become visible. This spike will scratch against the rotor surface and produce a loud screeching noise. The spike won’t damage the rotor, but it serves as a loud reminder that it’s time to change your pads. Our technicians can quickly and easily replace them for you.

Grinding Brakes

A harsh metallic grinding noise is a sign of trouble. As we saw above, the friction material covering slowly wears down. Screeching noises are a sign that the covering has worn down sufficiently to need replacement. If the pad isn’t replaced, the material covering will continue to wear off. Once the material covering has gone, only the bare metal of the pad will remain.

The next time you apply your brakes, the metal pad will gouge into the softer metal of the rotor and produce grinding noises. Parts of the metal pad can also scour rings in the rotor surface. If this happens, your pads need to be replaced immediately before they cause further damage. We’ll also examine your rotors and resurface them if necessary.

Glazed Pads

Glazed pads are caused by the pads being in contact with moving rotors for an extended period. This can happen if you regularly need to ride your brakes, for example, by driving downhill. When the rough friction material of the pads is held against the smooth rotor surface, a pad will develop a smooth, glass-like exterior.

A glazed pad can’t generate any friction, and the lack of friction means the affected brake won’t work. When you hit the brakes, your car can veer toward the side opposite to the glazed pad. This happens because the pad prevents the brake from working. We’ll examine your pads and replace any glazed ones.

Pads are quick and easy to replace, and new pads reduce wear and tear on your braking system. Call our service department today at Toyota of Kingsport.

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