Brake Pad Replacement Cost Guide
November 29, 2021 Topic: How To
All brake pads begin to wear down overtime and you will need to replace them. Brake pads are an essential part of your vehicle’s functioning braking system. Without functioning brake pads your car isn’t safe to drive. Fortunately, there are many options for brake pad replacement services including mobile brake repair services for your convenience.
In this post we will provide the average cost of brake pad replacement and the top things you need to know about replacing them.
What’s the average cost to replace brake pads?
The average cost of parts is between $35 and $150.
The average cost of labor is between $80 and $120 per axle.
The average brake pad replacement total is between $115 and $300 per axle (parts + labor).
Most cars have two axles. Larger vehicles that carry more passengers and have more wheels can have more axles. Every mechanic charges a different hourly rate and every manufacturer prices its parts differently depending on materials.
How much does it cost to replace all 4 brake pads?
To replace all four brake pads, including parts and labor the cost ranges between $230 and $600 for all four wheels. These materials range in quality from poor quality to premium. At Brakes To Go we only use premium brake pads.
Front Brake Pad Replacement Cost
Your front brakes do the majority of the braking in the car, usually about 70%. These brakes pads often get overheated, and can in turn squeak, groan or grind. The average front brake pad replacement cost is between $115 and $300, this is about the same as the cost of rear brake pad replacements. These materials range in quality from poor quality to premium.
Rear Brake Pad Replacement Cost
Rear brakes do help the car stop, but they do about 30-40% of the braking. This means they should wear out less right? Actually, the brake pads are smaller than the front so they will wear out at about the same rate. You can expect that if you need rear brakes pads, your front pads are not far behind. The average rear brake pad replacement cost is between $115 and $300, this is about the same as the cost of front brake pad replacements. These materials range in quality from poor quality to premium.
How much does Brakes To Go charge to replace brake pads?
Brakes To Go charges $175 per axle on most vehicles, not including luxury or oversized vehicles. If both axles needs brake replacement, we charge $350. This is a platinum brake pad that carries a 24,000 mile/24 month warranty.
Learn How To Check Your Brake Pads
Average Cost of Brake Pad Replacement in Texas
- Brake Pad Replacement Cost in Houston, TX: $150-$250
- Brake Pad Replacement Cost in Dallas/ Fort Worth, TX: $140-$240
- Brake Pad Replacement Cost in Austin, TX: $175-$275
The average cost of brake pad replacement doesn’t vary much in different parts of Texas. Brakes To Go is always doing a competitive analysis of what others charge for brake pad replacements to provide customers with the best price. Along with great pricing, Brakes To Go also offers brake repair financing to make paying for repairs more convenient than ever.
What’s the difference between brakes and brake pads?
Many people wonder if brake pads are the same as brakes. Knowing the difference and how a vehicles’ braking system works helps ensure proper vehicle maintenance and upkeep. Brake pads are not the same as brakes. Brakes is the generic term that encompasses the entire arrangement of components that work in tandem to stop your car when you press on the brake pedal. Brake pads are small, flat slabs about a quarter of an inch thick and a few inches long. When a driver applies the brakes the pads are pushed against the rotor; the resulting friction and resistance slow the car down. Over thousands of miles of driving, the surface of the brake pads will wear down completely.
What’s the difference between brake pads and rotors?
The rotor is the metal disc mounted to the axle just behind the wheel. Both the wheel and the rotor rotate in sync. Brake rotors are what your vehicle’s brake pads clamp down on to stop the car wheels from spinning. As mentioned earlier, a driver applies the brakes, the pads are pushed against the rotor, and this slows down the car with friction. Like brake pads, rotors will also get worn out over time and drivers will need a brake pad and brake rotor replacement service.
Common Types of Brake Pads
Using premium parts for brake pad replacements is essential. Brake pad options are based on your vehicle’s manufacturer specifications and your mechanic. There are ceramic or semi-metallic brake pad options available, including:
- Carquest® Wearever® Platinum Professional
- Akebono Pro-Act & Euro Brake Pads
- Hawk Performance Brake Pads
- TRW Brake Pads
- Textar Brake Technology Brake Pads
- StopTech Performance Brake Pads
Ceramic brake pads are made from a ceramic compound and are best suited for daily driving. Semi-metallic brake pads contain between 30-70% metals and are best suited for more aggressive driving (fast drivers, drivers prone to sudden braking).
Ceramic Brake Pads vs. Semi-Metallic Brake Pads
Ceramic Brake Pad |
Semi-Metallic Brake Pad |
|
| Cost | $$$ | $$ |
| Performance | High | Medium |
| Noise | Quiet | Loud |
| Wear & Tear on Brake System | Some | Minimal |
| Brake Dust | Minimal | Significant Amount |
| Suitable for High-Performance or Heavy-Duty Tow Vehicles | No | No |
| Favorable for Colder Weather | No | Yes |
How long do brake pads last?
Manufacturers estimate that quality brake pads can last anywhere from 20,000 to 70,000 miles. This varies greatly as some high performance vehicle pads can wear out in less than 20,000 miles and some brake pads may last much longer.
Factors that affect your brake pads:
- Driving Habits: Riding the brakes often and stopping abruptly can cause brake pads to wear out more quickly.
- Driving Environment: Stop-and-go traffic and hilly environments where you have to control more downhill speeds can have an affect on your brake pads.
- Materials: Brake pads are made of different materials, each of which affects durability differently.
- Condition of Brake Rotors and Calipers: Your brake pads are designed to work in tandem with other brake components like rotors and calipers. If these aren’t in good condition they can affect your brake pads.
Check out this blog out to learn how to get the most out of your brakes.
How do you know if you’re due for a brake pad replacement?
There are a variety of warning signs that can indicate your car may need new brake pads including:
- Indicator light turns on
- Squeaking or squealing noise coming from brakes
- Vibrating brake pedal
- Deep grinding metal sound
- Brake pads appear less than a ¼ inch thick
- Car leans to one side of the road when you stop
- Brake pedal is less responsive when pushed
Is it okay to just replace brake pads?
It depends, for pads on an old rotor surface it is generally not advised to simply replace the brake pads. New pads on worn rotors can create issues with the new pads, cause vibration, or make braking less safe than with new pads and new rotors together. This means mechanics may need to address the rotors at the same time. Brake rotors and calipers are more expensive and often more complicated to replace than just pads.
How much does it cost to replace the brake pads and rotors?
Rotors cost between $30 and $75 each. Labor to replace rotors and pads is around $150 to $200 per axle. Brake pads and rotors come out to around $250 to $500 per axle.
Brake Pad Replacement Takeaways
Most modern braking systems are self-adjusting to ensure that the brake pad maintains constant contact with the braking surface on a rotor or drum when the brakes are applied. Older brakes may need periodic adjustment where the pad is realigned.
Brakes To Go mobile brake repair offers the ultimate convenience, maximum affordability, and a FIVE STAR reputation you can trust.