BMW Brake Disc & Pads
WORCESTERSHIRE
Brake discs & pads for your BMW
Vehicles are fitted with one brake per wheel but work together in pairs across the same axle. The most common are disc brakes which use a caliper containing two brake pads. These press on each side of the brake disc when the brake pedal is pressed and as a result the pads and discs wear over time. Your BMW braking system will be checked as part of your vehicles mandatory MOT test. They do not really last a set mileage as they may or may not need replacing at certain intervals depending on how much braking you do
Common signs of Brake Disc &/or pad wear
Your braking system will be checked as part of your mandatory MOT test performed annually. Visual checks to the system will be carried out and a test on a roller for brake efficiency and balance. There should normally be a minimum of around 5mm of pad, any less and they will need replacing very soon. If you hear any noises such as screeching or grinding when braking, you will need to have your braking system checked for worn parts to avoid your vehicle becoming unsafe.
BRAKES DISC & PADS BOOKING
Different types of brakes
Brakes come in different sizes. It is normally faster, performance cars which have bigger brakes.
Some BMW owners choose to upgrade their brakes to a larger size.
You have a choice of different brake discs depending on what your vehicle is used for. Some of these types are discussed below:
Flat discs
These are the most common of all the brake discs available. They are mostly suited to everyday road use.
Drilled or Dimpled and grooved discs
Track cars may use drilled, grooved or dimpled brake discs to improve cooling. This works because the brake pads are not pressing on a complete surface and there is room for air pockets.
One drawback of these types of discs is warping and cracking if they do get hot. Another negative to consider is brake pads can wear more and potentially have uneven wear. They can also be noisy.
Vented discs
This type of disc tend to be heavier as they are essentially two discs on top each other with gaps in between with the aim to keep cool so braking performance is more effective.
Brake Pads
A pair of brake pads sit inside the brake caliper around each disc.
The brake pads are the surface which are clamped onto the disc when the brake pedal is pressed and the surface of these will get worn down and need replacing as a result.
Checking you braking system
Your braking system will be checked as part of your mandatory MOT test performed annually.
Visual checks to the system will be carried out and a test on a roller for brake efficiency and balance.
There should normally be a minimum of around 5mm of pad, any less and they will need replacing very soon.
If you hear any noises such as screeching or grinding when braking, you will need to have your braking system checked for worn parts to avoid your vehicle becoming unsafe.