10 Questions You Should to Know about commercial brake pads

Newton’s first law of motion explains that an object will not change its motion unless an external net force acts on it. When you’re in a truck that weighs close to 35,000 pounds, you want to have the confidence that there is a force strong enough to stop it when in motion. The braking system is key to stopping any vehicle. Understanding brake pads is key to buying the right ones to fit your fleet’s trucks. Make a mobile truck tire repair service part of your safety culture and ensure your fleet vehicles have high quality, optimally functioning brake pads at all times. 

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Types of Brake Pads

Brake pads absorb the kinetic energy of the wheels and create friction against the rotors, which slows or stops the wheel’s rotations, allowing drivers to control the vehicle. Thus, it’s important that brake pads are in top condition and capable of doing their job to the highest level of safety.

There are several types of materials that brake pads are made of:

1. Organic Brake Pads – Made of a blend of organic materials, such as rubber, glass or Kevlar, these brake pads are made for everyday driving. They won’t generate a lot of brake dust and don’t produce a lot of noise, but they will wear out faster than some other materials. They aren’t suitable for heavy-duty trucks.
2. Semi-Metallic Brake Pads – These pads contain both organic materials and metal fibers, like steel or copper. These brake pads have good stopping power over organic pads, but they’ll be noisier and may wear the brake rotors out faster. These brake pads are preferred for heavy tow loads or steep terrains.
3. Ceramic Brake Pads – Made of ceramic compounds and copper fibers, ceramic brake pads have a longer life than organic or semi-metallic pads. They can be more expensive, but they also have excellent stopping power. You can use these pads for urban traffic, or steep terrains or heavy tow-loads.
4. Low-Metallic Brake Pads – These brake pads are better than organic brake pads, because they contain both organic materials and metal fibers, but they do generate more noise and dust. They are an affordable option over ceramic brake pads.

How Often Should You Replace Brake Pads?

Truck brake pads have a wear rating, which should give you an idea of when they will need to be replaced. Most brake pads last about 40,000 miles, but it can depend on where and how the truck is driven. Train your drivers to inspect the brakes on their trucks before each journey and know what signs of wear to watch for. In addition to visual inspections, when brake pads start to wear down, drivers may notice a reduced braking response or hear grinding noises when braking. Sometimes they may also experience vibrations when braking. Regular vehicle maintenance by your commercial truck service will help your team keep fleet trucks in the best shape.

Brake Pad Maintenance Is Critical to Safety

Commercial trucks are the heaviest vehicles on the road. It’s vital to everyone’s safety that truck brakes and brake pads are well-maintained so that the vehicle’s stopping power isn’t impacted. When your drivers do face a problem, STTC’s mobile truck tire repair service comes to your truck to make repairs and get it back on the road quickly.

When you press the brake pedal on your truck, you expect an instant response. Yet any number of issues can cause your vehicle’s braking systems to fail, increasing your risk of a serious accident while putting you and your cargo in danger. That’s why maintaining your truck’s braking system is so important and a major part of your Pre-Trip Inspection.

From August 20–26, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Administration (CVSA) conducted its annual Brake Safety Week. Inspectors performed Level I and Level V roadside inspections and looked for any potential brake system defects that could put your vehicle out of service. This year, inspectors paid particular attention to the condition of a vehicle’s brake linings and pads.

During brake safety week and beyond, the CVSA offers these 10+ tips to help ensure your brake linings and pads will pass a roadside inspection every day of the year:

1. Inspect all the parts of the brake linings and pads that you can see during pre- and post-trip inspections.

2. Check for signs of missing or damaged brake lining, such as grooves in the drum from rivet contact.

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3. Look at the shoe-to-drum clearance and ensure that there is adequate lining on the shoe.

4. Try to find any signs of leaks from the hub or other components that may contaminate the lining or pad surface.

5. Look for any missing lining blocks.

6. Scan for visible cracks or voids in the lining block.

7. Check for any exposed rivets or lining blocks that look loose on the shoe.

8. On disc brakes, pay close attention to the condition of the rotor. Look for either metal-to-metal contact or heavily rusted rotors across the entire friction surface on either side.

9. Make any repairs in accordance with the brake manufacturer’s requirements and guidelines.

10. Note any brake lining or pad-related issues in your driver vehicle inspection reports and report them to the motor carrier.

In addition, always check for these brake-related items during pre- and post-trip inspections:

• Any missing, non-functioning, loose or cracked parts
• Audible air leaks coming from around the brake components and lines
• Slack adjusters that are different lengths
• Air pressure below 90-100 psi
• Rust holes or broken springs in the brake housing section of the parking brake
• Malfunctioning ABS warning lamps

Remember, a properly conducted pre-trip inspection will go a long way toward passing a brake inspection — and keeping you and those around you safe.

Are you interested in learning more about heavy duty truck brake lining? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!