Think your brake pads need to be changed but don't have the time to take your vehicle to an auto shop for an inspection? Here are some tips for inspecting your own brake pads.

Know What A New And Used Brake Pad Looks Like

Sometimes it helps to know what you are looking at, so find photos online of what new and used brake pads look like. This will help you better understand the difference between the brake pad itself and the backing material, as well as how thick new brake pads actually look when compared to worn-down ones. If you were to measure the thickness of the brake pads, they should be at least 3.2mm thick to be in usable condition. Ideally, you want to have a lot more than that on there.

Know Where To Look

When inspecting your brakes, you want to position yourself in front of the brake calipers so that you can look into them. If you approach the brake calipers from the opposite side, you are just going to see the housing rather than what is inside of them. When looking at your rear brakes, those calipers are going to open up toward the front of the car, so position yourself with your back toward the steering wheel to get a good look at them. 

Know How To Check The Inside Brake Pad

You can easily check the outside brake pad for wear, but you want to ensure that the inside brake pad has even wear as well. The only way this can be done is by taking the wheel off the vehicle and removing the calipers. This part is bolted onto your vehicle, so removing it should be as simple as removing some bolts to gain access to the brake pad. You will need to pull the inner brake pad out to inspect it.

Know How To Check The Caliper

With the caliper removed from your vehicle, you can also perform a quick visual inspection to see if that part is still in good condition. The caliper piston will have a seal, with a torn seal needing replacement. There are also caliper pins that should have good seals and be well lubricated. A dry caliper pin should be packed with grease before putting it back into the calipers

Reach out to your mechanic if you find something wrong with your brakes after inspecting them. Contact an auto service for more information regarding a brake inspection.