How important are brake pads?

The brake pad is one of the most important components in your motor vehicles braking system; it is the part responsible for stopping your car. However, brake pads are not built to last – that’s just the nature of their design. Therefore, it’s important to understand how brake pads work and when you should replace them.

Brake pads are a part of the disc braking system, which is standard for modern vehicles. In a disc braking system, a caliper is situated around the front wheels of your vehicle (most of a car’s stopping force comes from the front tires). The caliper is fitted with the brake pads. When you press the brake pedal, the caliper squeezes the brake pads against the wheel and the resulting friction then slows your vehicle to a stop.

Brake pads are soft, so that they don’t erode the disc while they are in use. Instead, the friction wears away at the brake pad, which is an easily replaceable part. Over time, the brake pads will erode away with use and must be periodically replaced. There are a number of variables that affect how often you need to replace your brake pads, but its basically down to the model of car you drive and how often and how hard you apply your brakes. Generally, brake pads may need to be replaced every 20,000 to 60,000 miles.

There is however one sure-fire indicator that you need new brake pads: squealing. Brake pads actually have a sort of built-in alarm system to alert you when they need to be replaced. There is a little bit of metal that sticks out of the brake pad. When the pad is worn down enough, this metal comes into contact with your wheel every time the brakes are applied. This creates a squealing or screeching noise every time you apply the brakes. Although waiting until you can hear your brakes screeching to replace your brake pads is not the best idea. The bit of metal is not exposed to the wheel until there is very little of the brake pad left. Once you can hear screeching, it generally means that your brake pads have only three or four weeks left before they are completely worn away.

Without the brake pad, you’ll be stopping your car with metal-on-metal friction, which can damage your wheel, damage your brake system and cause a very expensive repair. If you hear squealing or notice reduced stopping power you will need a new set of brake pads.

At CAM Auto Developments we stock Ferodo brake products for both front brake pads and rear brake pads. We believe Ferodo have created the high specification of brake pads today.

Visit our website to view our great range of Car brake pads

CAM Auto now an official supplier of Lifeline

CAM Auto Developments are now a proud supplier of a range of Lifeline products. CAM Auto is one of a few UK suppliers and the only one in the county of Hertfordshire.

The range of Lifeline products extends across all types of car fire extinguisher, including Lifeline 360, Lifeline 2000, Hand Held Extinguishers and Lifeline Accessories. As well as offering the products themselves CAM Auto Development also offer a full fire extinguisher refill and fire extinguisher servicing for your Lifeline extinguisher.

When choosing a car fire extinguisher, it is possible to have an economic solution provided the limitations are recognised and accommodated. The first step is to pinpoint the risk, potential consequences and set a budget accordingly. In-car safety equipment has one primary function and that is to save life. Secondary to that, certainly as far as the extinguisher equipment is concerned, is to save property – the car - and as such should be considered the same as insurance. It therefore follows that the best available option should be used to save both life and vehicle wherever possible.



Although Lifeline are specialists in car fire extinguishers, they also have a great range of car racing parts which are all available from CAM Auto. These include Steering Wheel Boss, Car Mirrors and Roll Cage Padding.

CAM Auto are proud to supply this range of Lifeline products and has already met great interest from our customers, to check out these products please visit the Lifeline Fire page at the CAM Auto website. Alternatively to discuss your requirements give us a call on: 01727 827717.

CAM Auto at the Footman James Classic Motor Show

The Footman James Classic Motor Show is the biggest and most popular classic car exhibition in the United Kingdom. Displaying over 1400 amazing cars from all eras, showcasing a myriad of marques and car models, this event really is every motoring enthusiast’s paradise!

Every year tens of thousands of visitors, from all over the world, gather for this annual homage to motoring history. Whether you are a owner of a classic car, a collector, an enthusiast, or if you simply love all kinds of cars, this really is a ‘must see’ show!

This ‘Grand Finale’ to the UK classic season celebrates all ages - the veteran, the vintage, the classic and the future classic, bringing together the entire motoring spectrum in this unique annual celebration of motoring.
 
CAM Auto will be in attendence offering our wide range of motorsport parts and racing parts as traders at the event. We will be located within hall 19 at the bottom left corner, 19T171.

“It’s all about bringing together people who share a passion for cars"

We hope you'll visit us at the most eagerly awaited classic car event of 2012.