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Updated on May 31st, 2021Brakes are crucial to your safety on the road, as they allow you to slow down your vehicle and make a quick stop when needed. However, they may wear out or get damaged over time. To keep them in tiptop shape, you’ll need to follow your regular brake maintenance schedule and watch for symptoms that indicate brake wear.
There's no specific answer to this question. How long your brakes will last depends on various factors, such as the type of brake pads your vehicle has and your driving habits. If you’re looking for a ballpark estimate, the average brake life runs around 25,000 to 50,000 miles.
Most modern vehicles come equipped with a four-wheel disc brake, but some still rely on brake drums (especially for the rear). Whether your ride has discs or drums, the parts can still wear out over time. Faulty brake components can get you in trouble on the road, so it's best to watch for symptoms of brake wear and be aware of their possible causes.
Click or tap on a symptom to learn which faulty part could be the cause.
Click or tap on a symptom to learn which faulty part could be the cause.
Misaligned front end
Unmatched tires on the same axle
Restricted hoses or brake lines
Damaged or defective shoe and lining
Faulty rear brakes
Stuck caliper or caliper piston
Loose calipers
Loose suspension parts
Excessive lateral run out of rotor
Brake pads worn to metal backing plate
Rotor parallelism that’s not within specification
Incorrectly adjusted wheel bearings
Rear drums out of round
Faulty power brake
Partial system failure
Worn-out shoe or lining
Binding caliper mounting
Improper rotor surface finish
Binding brake pedal mechanism
Stuck or sluggish piston in the caliper stuck
Fading brake due to incorrect lining
Partial brake system failure
Inadequate fluid in the master cylinder
Scored drum
Drums-out-of-round
Loose backing plate
Wheel cylinder sticking
Incorrectly adjusted brake
Water, mud, and other contaminants in brake
Weak or broken shoe retracting springs
Wheel cylinder size is different on opposite sides
Linings not of specified kind; primary and secondary shoes not replaced in repairs
Loose backing plate
Drums out-of-round
Incorrect lining-to-drum clearance
Weak or damaged retractor spring
Barrel-shaped or tapered drums
Improper lining contact pattern
Grease or fluid-soaked linings
Frozen wheel cylinder pistons
Linings installed on wrong shoes
Air in the system
Leaking wheel cylinder
Faulty automatic adjusters
Excessive clearance between drum and the linings
Air in the system
Worn-our drums
Loose backing plate
Lining loose on the shoe
Incorrect brake adjustment
Excessive dirt or dust in the drum
Improper lining contact pattern
Scored, barrel-shaped, or bell-mouthed drum
Stuck wheel cylinder piston
Weak shoe retracting spring
Drums out-of-round
Poor lining contact
Glazed or charred linings
Drums worn below the discard dimension
Bent shoes
Shoes lift off the backing plate and snap back
Grooves in the backing plate pads
Weak hold-down springs
Loose backing plates
Grooved backing plate pads
Cracked drum
Hard spots in the drum
Retracts springs unequal - weak
Bent shoe web
Shoe hits the drum
Improperly assembled brake
Twisted shoe
Glazed linings
Bent backing plate
Shoes scraping on backing plate pads
Weak or broken hold-down springs
Loose anchor, wheel cylinder, or backing plate
Dry hold-down pin surfaces and shoe pads
Here are some factors that can affect your brakes:
The heavier your vehicle is, the more stopping power it takes to slow it down. That means your brakes will wear out faster if you constantly carry heavy cargo. So lighten your vehicle’s load by removing unnecessary items and equipment from your trunk to help keep your brakes in top condition.
It’s natural for brake components like rotors and pads to wear out a bit more every time you press the brake pedal. However, constantly slamming on the brakes will cause them to wear out more quickly. Making quick stops or braking late, riding the brakes, and using the brake pedal as a footrest can also contribute to premature brake failure.
Although it doesn’t apply to all driving conditions, it’s helpful to practice coasting before making a turn or when preparing for a stop. Coasting is a technique where you take your foot off your gas pedal to slow down your vehicle naturally before braking.
Your vehicle manual has a recommended brake maintenance schedule. However, it's possible to miss brake issues during maintenance checks. Here are some of the things you should do to spot and prevent problems with your brakes:
Although most brake inspection procedures are conducted by mechanics, you can do a quick check on your own.
Here’s what you can do after starting your engine:
A pedal that drops slightly when you apply the brakes is a good indication that your vacuum booster is good. If there's no boost, it may mean that your booster diaphragm or vacuum connection is leaking.
A soft pedal may indicate that there’s air or leaks in your brake lines, while a pedal that slowly sinks is often a symptom of a worn master cylinder.
Check the pedal travel. A low pedal may mean that your brakes need adjustment, your linings are worn out, or you have defective or frozen drum brake adjusters. In some cases, it may also indicate a low fluid level.
Do they turn on when you press your brake pedal? If they don’t, this may mean that your tail light bulbs are busted or there’s an issue with your brake light pedal switch.
Determine if your pedal or handle works smoothly by putting the transmission into gear while the parking brake is applied. If it doesn’t hold the vehicle, it means it needs adjustment. If you release your parking brake and it fails to do so, it may mean that there’s an issue with your linkage or cable.
Your brake pads and rotors are crucial because they create the friction needed to slow down your tires. Unfortunately, because they’re exposed to a lot of stress, they are prone to wear.
Your brake pads usually last between 25,000 to 50,000 miles. But note that these are only estimates. Your brake pads may wear out faster, depending on their quality, your driving habits, and other factors that may affect your brake pad’s lifespan.
If your vehicle is equipped with brake sensors, it’ll be easier to determine when your brake pads need replacement. The sensors will activate a warning light or send a warning message on the dashboard.
Inspecting your brake pads for wear usually requires the removal of your wheels. If you’re not well-versed in auto repair, it’s best to leave this job to a mechanic.
Look for any signs of wear in the friction material. Experts recommend replacing the brake pads when their friction lining is less than 4mm thick. If your brake pads are 3mm or less, replace them immediately.
Keep an eye out for the other symptoms of bad brake pads as well.
Brake rotors usually last about 30,000 to 70,000 miles. But several factors like your driving conditions and the quality of your brake component may affect your rotors’ lifespan.
Inspecting the rotors will require automotive DIY know-how, so it’s best to leave the job to a mechanic if you’re not confident with your auto repair know-how.
Make sure your rotors are cool before inspecting them. Bad brake rotors will have cracks, grooves, rotor edge-lip, heat spots, and severe rust. Surface-level rust on your rotors is normal. However, severely rusted rotors should be replaced immediately, as they can affect your ride’s brake efficiency.
Check for the other symptoms of bad brake rotors during your inspection.
Some vehicle manufacturers recommend a specific service interval for brake fluid, whereas others do not. Check your owner’s manual or supplemental service booklet to see if the automaker has a recommended brake fluid service schedule for your car.
Also, as a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to check your brake fluid often and replace it every two to three years.
It’s a good idea to check your brake fluid for consistency, clarity, and level to determine if you need to change it. You can also buy test strips to help you check the condition of your brake fluid.
Damaged or corroded brake lines can eventually lead to dangerous fluid leaks. It’s a good idea to inspect your brake lines regularly to ensure they’re in good condition.
When you inspect your car’s brake lines, look for signs of cracking, chafing, swelling, bulging, expanding, leaking, and twisting in your brake hoses.
Don’t put off replacing faulty parts to prevent extensive problems. This may also be a good time for you to upgrade your brake components. There are many aftermarket performance brake parts sold at unbeatable prices, so it’ll be easy to find one for your ride. Commonly replaced brake parts (besides the pads and rotors) include:
Check the area around the caliper pistons for fluid leaks. If the caliper is leaking brake fluid, you must replace or rebuild it immediately. It’s recommended to replace high-mileage calipers when you replace your brake pads.
You’ll also have to replace your calipers if you see any form of cracks or damage on the caliper castings.
Some cars have disc brakes in the front and drums in the rear. If your vehicle has rear drum brakes, you’ll want to inspect the drums and shoes regularly for signs of damage and wear.
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