Braking System

Your car’s braking system is one of the most important components and it is vitally important to understand when the brake pads should be replaced. The brake pad is one part of your car that you should not skimp on and at Midrand Midas we supply OEM quality parts for every make and model at the best prices.

We supply parts for:

  • Light duty vehicles
  • Heavy duty truck and trailers
  • Passenger vehicles, and
  • Motorbikes

The goal with the braking system is the ability to bring the car to a stop as quickly as possible ensuring you and your precious cargo is protected.

There are a few other pieces of hardware that are found in the brake system which might need to be serviced as well, including calipers and discs. When replacing any components on your braking system, you will want to do both sides of the axle simultaneously to evely balance the system. We recommend that if you are taking the time to have your brake pads replaced, then you should consider investing in premium brake pads which have extended life and higher performance. The cheapest is not always the best and will have to be replaced more often and might end up costing you more.

Generally, brake pads need to be replaced after roughly 50,000 km. This varies as some would need to be replaced after 25,000 km while others could last up to 70,000 km. To get a more accurate number for your car’s specific needs, consult the owner’s manual.

Here are 5 signs that you should look out for to know when to replace your brake pads:

  1. Squeaking, squealing or scraping noise coming from brakes. Brake pads have small metal hairs at the very bottom to let the driver know when it’s time for a change.
  2. Indicator light turns on.
  3. Deep grinding metal sound.
  4. Vibrating or jittery brake pedal. This is a sign your rotors may be warped.
  5. Brake pads appear less than 600mm thick. Inspect brake pad thickness regularly, whenever the tyres are rotated or the oil is changed.

The average brake pad replacement cost is R350 per axle, and can range from R200 per axle up to R850 per axle.

Brake pads are available in different compounds to suit different driving needs. The harder compound lasts longer but needs to be warm before performing well and is more common on performance cars. The softer compound performs better at low speeds, like in urban areas.

If you start hearing any noise coming from the brakes or notice it becoming increasingly difficult to stop the vehicle, then make sure to have them checked as soon as possible.

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