How to Check Brake Pads
Reviewed by GarageDex editorial
GarageDex's guide to checking brake pads in a few minutes with a flashlight, without pulling a wheel. The one thing to know: the pad you can see through the spokes is the outer pad, and on most calipers the inner pad wears faster, so a quick look confirms a problem but does not rule one out.
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- Park on level ground, engine off, and turn the steering wheel fully to one side so the front caliper faces you through the wheel opening.
- Shine a flashlight through the spokes at the caliper. The pad is the block pressed against the shiny disc; the friction material is the layer between the metal backing plate and the disc.
- Estimate or measure the friction material thickness. New pads are about 10 to 12 mm. Under about 3 mm, plan a replacement now; under 2 mm, stop driving on them.
- Check the disc face for deep grooves, a pronounced lip at the outer edge, or blue heat marks. Grooves or a lip mean the pads have been worn to metal or the disc is at the end of its life.
- Repeat on the other wheels. If you cannot see the inner pad, check it from behind the wheel or remove the wheel, because the inner pad usually wears faster.
What you are looking at
The caliper clamps two pads against the disc. Each pad is a steel backing plate with a layer of friction material bonded to it. The friction layer is the only part that wears, and it is the only part you measure. A brake pad gauge slides between the disc and the backing plate and reads thickness directly; a ruler through the spokes is an estimate.
What you need
A flashlight, and optionally a brake pad thickness gauge and a small inspection mirror.
Tools used in this guide
- Brake pad thickness gaugeColor-coded blades read remaining friction material in millimetersView on Amazon
- Inspection mirror with lightLets you see the inner pad from behind the wheelView on Amazon
These tools fit any vehicle. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Other signs to check while you are there
Uneven wear between the inner and outer pad points to a sticking caliper slide pin. A pad worn at an angle points to a sticking piston. Dark fluid or wetness at the caliper is a leak. A pulsing pedal usually means the disc is warped or has uneven deposits rather than a pad problem. See signs of worn brake pads and why brakes squeak.
When they need replacing
Pads are sold by vehicle and by axle, and ceramic and semi-metallic compounds suit different driving. Look up the brake pads for your year, make and model, then read how to replace brake pads if you want to do the job yourself.
Frequently asked
How thick should brake pads be?
New pads have about 10 to 12 mm of friction material. Most shops recommend replacing at 3 mm, and manufacturers set a minimum around 2 mm. Measure the friction material only, not the metal backing plate behind it.
What is the squealing noise when I brake?
Most pads have a small metal tab, the wear indicator, that touches the disc when the pad is nearly worn out and makes a high-pitched squeal. A grinding or scraping sound is worse: it usually means the friction material is gone and the backing plate is cutting the disc.
Can I check brake pads without removing the wheel?
On most cars with open-spoke wheels, yes: a flashlight through the spokes shows the outer pad and the disc face. Steel wheels with hubcaps or solid alloys usually need the wheel off. Even with a good view, the inner pad is often hidden, so check from behind the wheel with a mirror if you can.
How long do brake pads last?
Anywhere from 25,000 to 70,000 miles depending on the car, the pad material and how it is driven. City driving and heavier vehicles wear pads fastest. Front pads usually wear before rear pads because braking shifts weight forward.
Need your car's exact spec?
Find the brake pads that fit your car