Front brake pad replacement from $238

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Average rating for Front brake pad replacement

starstarstarstarstar

4.8 • based on 2999 reviews of 843 businesses

Front brake pad replacement

How much does a front brake pad replacement cost?


The braking system is the first and foremost safety system fitted to the modern-day vehicle, and the brake pads are the components that do all the work.

During normal usage, the brake pads wear down over time and need to be replaced once the friction material has worn down to unsafe levels.

Brake pads usually last around 45,000 – 60,000km, but this may be less or more, depending on the driving you are doing.

The average price to have your front brake pads replaced starts at around $150 and can increase to $350 and above, depending on the vehicle and type of brake pads used.

The front brakes do 70% of the total braking when slowing down, so will wear out faster than the rear brakes in most cases.

What is a brake pad?

A brake pad is the most common form of braking hardware on a motor vehicle.

They are usually located inside a brake caliper, which forces the pad onto the disc rotor (the shiny metal disc behind your wheels) when you press down on the brake pedal.

There are two brake pads for every caliper, so four brake pads on the front and four on the rear – if your vehicle has disc brakes all around.

They are usually made of a metallic friction material bonded to a metal backing plate, although some high-performance vehicles now use carbon and ceramic in their brake pads, which dissipate heat more effectively than standard brake pads.

Once this friction material has worn down passed a certain level, usually 2 millimetres, the brake pads will need to be replaced.

Symptoms that your brake pads require replacing

  • Squealing or grinding noise when slowing down
  • Braking performance diminished
  • Brake warning light on dash or instrument cluster

How are brake pads replaced?

  • The vehicle is raised and the wheels removed
  • The brake pads and discs are inspected
  • If the brake pads are worn down, the old pads will be removed
  • The brake calipers will be inspected and the new brake pads installed
  • The wheels will be refitted and the new brake pads will be ‘bedded in’
  • The vehicle will be road tested to ensure correct operation

Tips to remember

  • It is also important to inspect the disc rotors and brake fluid when replacing brake pads, as these may need to be changed at the same time
  • Some higher end vehicles will have brake pad wear sensors, which will need to be replaced when the brake pads are renewed.

How important is replacing your brake pads?

Having your brake pads replaced when they are excessively worn will give you peace of mind that your vehicle will stop reliably and safely every time you press the pedal.

Operating a vehicle with worn out or faulty brake pads can endanger you, your family and other motorists on the road, and not allow you to stop in time in the case of an emergency.

If you've read this far, you obviously care about your car. A lot. So next time you need a service, repair or inspection, visit AutoGuru. We let you search and book from over 1,600 qualified mechanics, who eat car troubles for breakfast.