Pads and Shoes
Duramax brake pads are going to need to be changed roughly every 3 years, depending on how you drive your truck. By ignoring brake pads that need to be replaced, you can cause severe damage to other components of your brake system and cause unsafe stopping conditions due to excessive wear. Replacing your brake pads is fairly cheap and easy for most do it yourselfers, so don’t let this maintenance item turn into larger problems down the road. Merchant Automotive is going to carry everything you need to change your Duramax brake pads and shoes.
Brake pads are a vital component of your Duramax brake system as they are the main component that helps to slow your truck down. Brake pads are made from various compounds and are made to wear over time as they get used. Ensuring that your Duramax’s brake pads are in good condition is a great way to keep your truck safe and your brake system performing like it should. Excessively worn brake pads are not only going to prevent you from stopping like you should, they can also damage your rotors, causing you to spend even more money on bigger repairs.
How Do I Know When My Duramax Brake Pads Should Be Replaced?
The brake pads on your Duramax truck are designed to wear over time and get replaced at normal service intervals. Since you cannot see how much life is left on your brake pads with the wheels on, it can be a little difficult to see when your brake pads may need to be replaced. Most brake pads are going to have a metal tang built onto the pad that is positioned about ¾ of the way down the brake pad compound. Once your brake pad has reached this point, the metal tang will start to rub against the rotor, creating a screeching sound. This is your indication that it is time to change your brake pads. Of course, you can always do a visual inspection when you go to rotate your tires to stay ahead of the game.
How Long Do Duramax Brake Pads Last?
Brake pad life is going to depend on many different factors including driving habits, operating environment, and vehicle usage. For average or light duty use, you can expect 40,000-60,000 miles of pad life. Using the average 15,000 miles driven per year, that's about 2 ½ - 4 years of pad life for your brake pads. Once you start getting to towing heavy loads, spirited driving, or more extreme conditions, you can expect your brake pad life to shorten.
What Are The Best Brake Pads For My Duramax?
The best brake pads for your Duramax is going to depend on what you plan on using your truck for. For those who use their Duramax truck for normal driving, a set of ACDelco factory replacement pads will be the perfect option. If you plan on hauling large loads or will be doing some performance upgrades, you may want to upgrade to a more aggressive pad for better stopping power.
