Why do Brake Pads Have Wear and Tear?
A good pad must guarantee durability, comfort, safety, and performance. Let’s clarify the causes that force you to change the brake pads.
Among the many elements of the cars on which it is necessary to intervene for proper maintenance, the brake pads (or worn linings) are at the top of the list. Contrary to what many think, vibrations, creaks, or low power are not attributable exclusively to changing pads. Let’s see what happens when you brake to better analyze the problems.
How are brake pads manufactured?
The brake pads have 5 different functional elements. The main element is the mixture of friction material generally composed of about twenty components (sometimes even more than 30), among which, in addition to the fibres with resin, we find ceramic elements, abrasives of various kinds, and different types of graphite (which plays a lubricating role and secondarily antivibration). Below the friction layer, inside the pad, there is an intermediate element that serves to thermally insulate the rest of the components from the heat, followed by a fixing layer (meaning a kind of glue layer), steel support (which has a structural and must guarantee rigidity to the whole) and finally a layer of material capable of reducing vibrations.
If your brake pads are also causing the problem, get them replaced. The replacement requires, in addition to certain expertise, the utmost attention of an expert car repairer who has understanding of aftermarket spare parts of Mercedes.
Why do brake pads have wear and tear?
The oil pump located immediately after the booster sends the fluid to the brakes by pressing the brake pedal. In the case of disc brakes, the oil reaches the callipers and acts on one or more cylinders which press on the brake pads, making them adhere vigorously to the disc. After release of the brake, the pistons return to their position, and consequently, the pads will return to the rest condition. From the analysis of this first phase, it is clear that, even before the pads, any braking problem may be due to the oil (find out why it is important to replace the brake fluid) to the poor efficiency of the brake callipers.
The callipers, or rather their incorrect functioning, are the main cause of wear and tear of brake pads:
- Deformed callipers: the pads will wear irregularly and, seen from the side, will have the appearance of an inclined plane, causing vibrations (not always perceptible by the driver) and annoying noise when braking;
- The calliper locks: the force exerted by the pistons can bend the structural support, causing the pad to crack and also, in this case, causing noise: if the replacement is not quick, the pad can rust;
- Oil leakage from the calliper: in this case, the pad will become contaminated and will no longer guarantee the same braking force: in this case, more than noise or vibrations, the driver will realize that during braking, the car will “pull” from the side where braking is most efficient.
Conclusions and technical advice
The reason that requires a replacement of the pads, namely that of wear, is only one among many. For every previously mentioned reason, it is necessary to replace the pads. Only in cases of vitrification can you try to regenerate them by walking a few kilometers away from traffic. If the vitrification is very slight, then a few braking will be enough to restore the adhesion surface; otherwise, it will be necessary to replace it.
In conclusion, pay the utmost attention to your spare parts. Buy aftermarket spare parts of Mercedes of clear origin and manufacture, and be wary of bargain prices. Often, as found by law enforcement, these are fakes with potentially lethal security consequences.
