DIY vs. Professional Brake Pad Replacement: Pros and Cons
Brake pads are a normal wear item on all vehicles that require periodic replacement. As brake pads wear down from friction, they begin to lose braking effectiveness. At some point, they will wear down completely and require replacement to maintain safe braking performance. Vehicle owners essentially have two options when brake pads wear out – replace them yourself (DIY) or take the vehicle to a professional mechanic. This article will examine the pros and cons of each approach to help you decide which is best for your needs.
Background on Brake Pads
Brake pads are a key component of disc brake systems, which are used in most modern vehicles. Brake pads consist of a metal backing plate and friction material bonded to the plate. The friction material is formulated to provide the right amount of friction to stop a vehicle (How Brake Pads Work).
There are four main types of friction material used in brake pads (The Chemistry of Brake Pads):
- Non-asbestos organic (NAO) – made from fibers, rubber, glass, carbon, Kevlar
- Semi-metallic – contains 20-65% metals like copper, iron, steel
- Ceramic – made from glass, rubber, fiber, copper fibers
- Sintered metal – contains up to 90% copper, iron, or steel
The friction material blend impacts brake pad performance characteristics like friction, noise, dusting, and wear in different conditions.
When to Replace Brake Pads
Knowing when to replace your brake pads is important for maintaining safe braking performance. There are a few key signs that indicate your brake pads need replacing:
Squealing or grinding noises when braking – This high-pitched noise means the brake pad material has worn down completely in some spots, indicating replacement is needed.
Vibration when braking – If you feel shaking or pulsing in the brake pedal, rotors may be warped from worn brake pads. This is a safety issue needing immediate replacement.
Longer stopping distances – Over time, worn brake pads lead to reduced braking power. If you notice it’s taking longer to slow down or stop, new pads are required.
Low pad thickness – Pads should be inspected and measured occasionally. Most experts recommend replacement when pads are worn to 3/16 inch or less.
Check your owner’s manual for the minimum pad thickness specification. If below this level, replacement is essential for safe braking.
DIY Brake Pad Replacement
Do-it-yourself brake pad replacement can save quite a bit of money compared to paying a professional mechanic. However, there are risks involved if the job is not done correctly.
To replace brake pads yourself, you’ll need basic tools like wrenches, sockets, jack stands, brake grease, and a torque wrench. A complete brake pad replacement kit costs $30-60 depending on the vehicle make and model (1).
The largest cost savings comes from labor. Mechanic labor rates for brake jobs range from $100-150 per hour. Even for experienced DIYers, replacing brake pads usually takes 1-3 hours. Assuming a shop would charge $150/hr, you could save $150-450 in labor by doing it yourself.
However, the risks include incorrectly installing the new pads, not checking the rotors, and improperly pumping the brakes after the job is complete. This could lead to continued issues with brake performance. Overall, DIY brake pad replacement can save a considerable amount of money but requires mechanical skill and knowledge.
Professional Brake Pad Replacement
Taking your vehicle to a professional mechanic for brake pad replacement offers some key advantages. Mechanics have the expertise and equipment to do the job properly and efficiently. According to sources, brake pad replacement performed by a mechanic typically costs $150-$200 per axle (Autozone). Some of the benefits of professional brake service include:
- Mechanics have specialized tools and equipment like brake lathes to resurface rotors and brake pad changers that allow efficient pad swaps.
- Experienced mechanics have the know-how to thoroughly inspect the brake system and spot issues that a DIYer might miss.
- Reputable shops will warranty their work if any problems arise shortly after service.
- Professional technicians can safely dispose of old brake parts and fluids.
- Shops have lifting equipment to easily access the wheels and brake components.
Overall, paying a professional mechanic to replace brake pads provides assurance that the job will be done properly and safely. Their expertise and equipment allows for efficient repairs and comprehensive system checks.
Safety Considerations
Properly functioning brakes are absolutely critical for safe driving. Improperly installed or low-quality brake pads can put you and others at risk by compromising braking ability. According to How to Replace Brake Pads, Cost, & Tips … – YouTube, incorrectly installed pads may not make full contact with the rotor, reducing stopping power. Additionally, inferior quality pads can wear out faster or fail unexpectedly.
Brake pads that are beyond their service life can cause grinding, squeaking noises and longer stopping distances. It’s crucial to inspect brake pads regularly and replace them promptly when worn. Opting for high quality, durable brake pads and having them installed properly by a professional mechanic is the safest approach. DIY brake jobs may seem cheaper, but not when factoring in the risks involved.
Time Investment
When doing a brake pad replacement yourself, plan to spend 2-4 hours getting the job done if you’re working on one axle (either front or rear). Replacing pads on both axles could take closer to 4-8 hours for a DIYer, especially the first time you tackle this repair. It takes time to jack up the vehicle, remove the wheels, disassemble the brake caliper and related hardware, and complete the installation of new pads. Rushing through the process risks making mistakes or doing sloppy work.
In comparison, most professional mechanics can replace brake pads in 1-2 hours, according to repair estimates. Their expertise and practice doing this repair day in and day out means they can work much faster than the average car owner. For example, auto service company Firestone estimates it takes their technicians 60-90 minutes to replace brake pads on a standard vehicle.
So while a DIY brake pad replacement takes 2-8 hours, paying a professional mechanic to do the job typically reduces the time investment to 1-2 hours. This faster turnaround is because of their specialized tools, experience, and focus on efficiency.
Parts Quality
When it comes to brake pads, there is often a debate around whether OEM or aftermarket parts are better. OEM (original equipment manufacturer) brake pads are made by the vehicle manufacturer specifically for that make and model. Aftermarket pads are produced by third-party companies.
OEM brake pads tend to fit better and reduce noise compared to aftermarket pads. This is because they are engineered to the exact specifications and tolerances of the vehicle (Source). The materials used in OEM pads are also optimized for the vehicle’s braking system.
However, many aftermarket brake pads use advanced formulas and technologies not found in OEM pads. Brands like Akebono and EBC offer pads designed for certain driving styles like track use or towing. Aftermarket pads can provide advantages like better stopping power, less fade, lower dust, and quieter braking (Source).
In general, OEM brake pads offer a precise fit and noise reduction while aftermarket pads provide more options to upgrade performance. Vehicle owners need to weigh the pros and cons of each when deciding between OEM vs. aftermarket brake pads.
Warranty Coverage
When replacing brake pads yourself, you void any existing brake warranty from the manufacturer or dealer. Most new vehicles come with at least a 12 month/12,000 mile brake warranty. According to Meineke, their brake pad replacements are backed by a 12-month, 12,000 mile parts and labor warranty. shops like Kia also offer a limited lifetime warranty on brake pads, covering just the parts but not the labor. As stated on their website, “The limited lifetime brake pad replacement warranty covers the cost of the brake pads, but not labor or any other brake service or repair.” If you do the work yourself, you lose out on any warranty coverage that a professional shop would provide.
Conclusion
In summary, both DIY and professional brake pad replacement have their pros and cons. DIY can save on labor costs but requires more time, tools, and mechanical skill. Using a professional mechanic ensures parts quality, warranty coverage, safety, and saves time. However, professional service costs more in labor fees.
For most drivers without mechanical experience, professional replacement is recommended for safety and convenience. The additional costs often provide peace of mind from having an expert do the work properly. However, with patience and the right tools, DIY brake pad replacement can be a rewarding way to save money for those handy with automotive repairs.
Ultimately, assess your comfort level, budget, time constraints and access to tools when deciding between DIY or professional brake service. Ensure you research the procedure thoroughly and have high-quality parts if taking the DIY route. Otherwise, the convenience and expertise of professional mechanics makes them the preferred choice for most drivers.