Brake Pads
Brake pads do more than bring your car to a halt; they’re one of the most important safety features on your vehicle. Yet many drivers around Eastbourne, Brighton, and across East Sussex don’t give them much thought until something goes wrong. Whether it’s a screeching noise, a dashboard warning, or a sudden change in how your car feels under braking, the signs often show up after the wear has already become a problem.
At South Coast Garage in Eastbourne, we carry out brake pad replacement work frequently and see first-hand what happens when pads are checked regularly—and when they’re not. With a free courtesy car available and a 12-month guarantee on all parts and labour, we’re here to make staying safe as convenient as possible.
In this blog, we’ll take you through how brake pads work, how they wear out, and what you can do to catch issues before they turn into costly repairs. If you’re based in Eastbourne, Brighton, Lewes or anywhere nearby, this guide is for you.
Let’s begin with what brake pads are really doing every time you press the pedal.
How Your Brake Pads Function Under Pressure
Brake pads are a critical part of your car’s braking system, taking the full force of every stop. Positioned inside the brake calliper, they’re the components that press against the brake discs when you brake. In some vehicles, especially older models or those with specific rear setups, you might find brake shoes and drums instead, but the principle is the same.
Each time you press the brake pedal, hydraulic pressure forces the pads onto the rotating brake disc. That contact generates friction, which is what slows the car. But friction also creates heat, and a lot of it. Brake pads are built to handle this heat, but over time, that heat and constant use begin to take their toll.
Bit by bit, the friction material wears down. That’s not a fault, it’s exactly how they’re designed to work. But when pads become too worn, they lose their effectiveness. Worse still, if ignored, they can start damaging the discs themselves. At that point, a simple brake pad change can escalate into a more involved and expensive repair involving the brake pads and discs together.
At South Coast Garage in Eastbourne, we check your brake pads as part of routine servicing, inspecting their condition and measuring wear where appropriate. If we spot something concerning, we’ll let you know right away. Because when safety is involved, it’s never worth taking a chance.
The Key Differences Between Brake Pad Types Explained
Not all brake pads are built the same, and that’s a good thing. Different vehicles and driving demands require different materials, which is why the type of brake pad your car uses isn’t just about personal choice. It’s about making sure the braking system performs exactly as it was designed to.
At South Coast Garage in Eastbourne, we only fit brake pads that meet the vehicle manufacturer’s original specifications. That means either genuine or OEM-approved parts. Your braking system depends on every component working together with the correct friction levels, heat tolerance, and material properties.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common brake pad types:
- Organic (NAO) pads: These are typically made from fibres such as aramid, cellulose, and other mineral materials. They’re known for being quieter in operation and are a good fit for everyday driving, though they do tend to wear out faster and can struggle with high heat.
- Semi-metallic pads: Designed with a blend of metals, often steel or copper, these offer strong performance and better heat resistance. However, they can be noisier, create more brake dust, and sometimes wear the discs quicker than other types.
- Ceramic pads: These use ceramic compounds and fine copper fibres to handle heat well while producing minimal dust. They’re often found in high-performance vehicles and tend to last longer, though they do come at a higher price point.
You might think one type sounds better than the others, but that’s not how brake systems work. Each pad is engineered to suit a particular calliper and disc design, and mismatching them can lead to anything from uneven wear to poor stopping distances.
That’s why every brake pad replacement at South Coast Garage is carried out to precise manufacturer specifications. When your vehicle’s safety depends on predictable braking performance, precision matters.
What’s Behind Premature Brake Pad Wear
Brake pads are designed to wear gradually, but in some cases, that wear happens faster than expected. At South Coast Garage in Eastbourne, we regularly see examples of brake pads wearing unevenly, or far sooner than the owner anticipated. Often, it’s not just down to mileage; it’s how the vehicle is driven, maintained, and even the condition of surrounding components.
Here are some of the most common causes of early or uneven brake pad wear:
- Challenging driving conditions: Stop-start traffic in town, frequent short trips, towing loads, or driving in hilly areas all put additional pressure on the brakes. The more frequently you brake—and the harder you press—the more heat and friction you create, which naturally leads to quicker pad wear.
- Calliper issues: When the calliper isn’t working as it should, the pads might not fully release after braking. This creates constant light contact with the disc, causing excessive wear and potentially leading to one pad wearing faster than the other.
- Disc damage or defects: If your brake discs are corroded, warped, or heavily scored, the surface becomes uneven. This makes it difficult for new pads to make proper contact, reducing braking effectiveness and accelerating wear.
- Incorrect brake pads fitted: Brake pads that don’t meet the manufacturer’s exact specification can throw off the braking balance. That affects not only how the pads wear, but also how well your car responds when stopping.
- Contamination and corrosion: Moisture, grime, and road salt can all find their way into the brake assembly. Over time, this contamination can cause corrosion between the pad and its backing plate, sometimes leading to the pad material breaking away—a serious safety concern.
At South Coast Garage, we look at the whole braking system, not just the pads. By catching early signs of imbalance, wear, or contamination, we can help prevent a minor issue from turning into a full brake pad and disc replacement.
How to Spot the Signs of Brake Pad Trouble
Brake pads usually don’t fail without giving you some kind of warning first. If you know what to watch out for, you can catch problems before they turn serious. At South Coast Garage in Eastbourne, we’ve seen how early detection can make all the difference, not just to your repair bill, but to your safety on the road.
Here are the key signs that your brake pads may be due for inspection or replacement:
- Squealing or screeching when braking
Many brake pads come with a small metal tab designed to make a high-pitched noise when the friction material gets low. This isn’t something to ignore; it’s an intentional alert that your pads are wearing thin and need checking promptly. - Grinding noises
A grinding sound typically means the pad material has worn down completely, and the metal backing plate is now in contact with the disc. This seriously compromises your braking ability and can cause significant damage to the discs, turning a simple pad change into a much more costly repair. - Dashboard brake warning light
If your car is fitted with electronic wear sensors, you might see a warning light when the pads are reaching the end of their usable life. It’s a built-in alert system, not a suggestion. Unlike a low washer fluid warning, this one needs urgent attention.
Braking systems are made up of finely balanced components, so even a small change in feel, sound, or performance is worth investigating. If something doesn’t seem right, or if you just want peace of mind, get in touch with South Coast Garage. We’ll carry out a thorough brake inspection and give you clear, honest feedback on what’s needed.
What Can Go Wrong If You Delay Brake Pad Replacement
It’s tempting to wait. That brake warning light might not seem urgent, and the odd noise could come and go. But when it comes to worn brake pads, postponing action doesn’t just risk your safety, it can push the repair bill much higher than it needed to be.
Brake pads are designed to wear down, but once they hit a certain point, that wear begins to accelerate. If left too long, the remaining friction material disappears completely, leaving metal-on-metal contact with the disc. That means the brake disc becomes damaged, and instead of a straightforward brake pad replacement, you’re now looking at new discs too.
We’ve seen this many times at South Coast Garage. What could have been a quick and affordable fix ends up requiring a full brake pad and disc job, sometimes even calliper repairs if the issue has been ignored for long enough.
But the financial cost is only part of the picture. Worn brake pads reduce braking performance, increase stopping distances, and can affect the car’s handling, especially in an emergency stop. They also place more strain on surrounding components, including the brake fluid and callipers, which aren’t designed to absorb the extra stress caused by ineffective pads.
If you’ve noticed a sound, felt a change in your brakes, or simply haven’t had them checked in a while, now’s the time to act. At South Coast Garage in Eastbourne, we’ll inspect your braking system and let you know exactly where you stand. A quick call today could help you avoid a much bigger problem tomorrow.
Why Choose South Coast Garage in Eastbourne?
Brake pads may be small, but their importance to your vehicle’s safety couldn’t be greater. That’s why routine servicing matters, and why it’s essential to choose a garage that understands how to care for your braking system properly.
At South Coast Garage, we specialise in brake pad replacement and vehicle maintenance, using only OEM-approved or manufacturer-quality parts. Every repair is completed to the highest standards, with the same precision you’d expect from a main dealer, just without the dealership price tag.
Whether you’re in Eastbourne, Hailsham, or anywhere across the wider East Sussex area, you can count on us for expert workmanship and straightforward advice. No shortcuts. No guesswork.
Book Your Brake Pad Check with South Coast Garage
If you’ve heard a noise, seen a warning light, or simply want reassurance that your brakes are in good condition, now’s the time to act. Replacing your brake pads promptly helps you avoid bigger problems and keeps your car performing safely.
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Call 01323 734473 today to book your brake inspection with South Coast Garage.
