Look through one of the holes at the top of the front wheel . If your car has front disc brakes (most do), you will see the brake rotor, a shiny smooth surface an inch or two behind the wheel. If it does not have front disc brakes you will see a round rusted-looking brake drum.
Are rear brakes disc or drum?
Most of today's vehicles have disc brakes at all four wheels. Some base models have disc on the front axle and drum on the rear , to keep costs down.
How do I know what kind of brake pads I have?
On many vehicles, you can see the brake pad through the holes in the wheel . To check the life of the brake pad, you need to determine its thickness. You might need a flashlight to get a good look at the brake pad. If the pads look thin, less than 1/4′′, it might be time to get them replaced.
Do all cars have drum brakes?
Therefore, drum brakes are often still found in modern cars . Manufacturers will usually outfit the front wheels with disc brakes since they have to work the hardest, and drum brakes in the rear. Some sports cars will use disc brakes on all four wheels, but have one additional drum brake for parking purposes.
Does my car have disc or drum brakes?
How can I tell if my car has disc brakes or drum brakes? If your car was built in the last thirty years, it most likely has disc brakes on the front wheels, but it may have drums in the rear . If the car has wheels with big openings, you may be able to see some or all of the brake assembly.
How much does it cost to get your brake pads changed?
The average brake pad replacement cost is $150 per axle , and can range from $100 per axle up to $300 per axle. 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 rotors, but the most common service will be to replace brake pads.
What brakes are better ceramic or metallic?
What are the differences between semi-metallic and ceramic brake pads? ... Ceramic brake pads typically last longer than semi-metallic brake pads, and through their lifespan, provide better noise control and less wear-and-tear to rotors, without sacrificing braking performance.
Should I convert drum brakes to disc?
If you're wondering if you should convert your drum brakes over to disc brakes, the answer is a resounding yes . ... If you convert, your vehicle will stop better, stop more consistently, and your new disc brakes will be easier to maintain.
How much does a rear drum brake job cost?
What You Can Expect to Pay. If you aren't comfortable replacing brake drums yourself, you can always head to a dealership or mechanic and pay to have it done. The average national cost is between $233 and $338 for the entire process. This includes $171 to $217 in labor, and $62 to $121 in parts.
Are rear disc brakes worth it?
There are a lot of reasons you should consider when it comes to upgrading to disc brakes. The main reason is safety. ... Rear drum brakes are cheaper to produce than disc brakes , and since a vehicle's front brakes actually do 70 percent of the work, rear brake performance can be sacrificed for cost.
Why do modern cars still have drum brakes?
Drum brakes lock-up the wheels easier and make better parking brakes than disc brakes. Those who enjoy doing handbrake turns may also favour rear drum brakes since they lock-up easier (self-energizing). ... Drum brakes are also smaller and lighter but these are not reasons why modern cars still use them.
What are the disadvantages of drum brakes?
Under hard braking, the diameter of the drum increases slightly due to thermal expansion, the driver must press the brake pedal farther. Brake shoes can overheat to the point where they become glazed . Excessive brake drum heating can cause the brake fluid to vaporise.
When did cars stop using drum brakes?
From the 1960s to the 1980s , disc brakes gradually replaced drum brakes on the front wheels of cars (which receive the majority of braking force). Now practically all cars use disc brakes on the front wheels, and many use disc brakes on all four wheels.
Should you replace all 4 brake pads at once?
But, when changing brake pads, should you do all four at once? Well, first, you absolutely should replace both front or both rear brake pads at the same time . Unless something's really wrong, one should be wearing out at about the same rate as the other.
How much does a full brake job cost?
A complete brake repair — one that includes pads, rotor and caliper replacement — typically averages between $300 and $800 . However, depending on the make and model of your vehicle, you can easily spend more than $1,000 on a complete brake job.
How much does Midas charge for a brake job?
Midas: Midas charges roughly $80 per hour for labor costs when working on brakes. They charge about $50 for a brake drum package, $60 to replace brake fluid, and upwards of $800 for a complete caliper and rotor job.
