Mustang Brake Pad Guide
Last Updated March 19, 2024 | Meghan DrummondIf your Mustang has disc brakes, then sooner or later you're gonna have to replace your brake pads. The brake pad is the part between the caliper and the rotor, and the friction it creates is what brings your Mustang to a stop. If your brake pads are totally worn out, the caliper will make direct contact with the rotor, causing warping and breakage. In some extreme cases, it can lead to the brake system overheating and failing.
But many Mustang drivers replace their brake pads because they simply need an upgrade. If you’ve added horsepower with some engine mods, or you’re doing performance driving, it’s a good idea to improve your stopping power.
This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of brake pad selection, so you can keep pick the right set for your pony.
Signs Your Brake Pads Are Worn Out
Replacing your brake pads is a standard maintenance procedure you’ll perform every 50,000 miles or so. But the way you drive also affects how quickly pads wear down. It’s good to be aware of other signs that your brake pads need to be replaced, just in case you don’t drive like the average person.
Squeaking, Squealing, or Screeching Sounds
These (awful) sounds are actually created on purpose. Inside most brake pads there’s a small piece of metal that acts as a wear indicator. When this metal makes contact with the rotor, it makes horrible sounds. These sounds are the brake pads’ way of saying “Replace me!” Ignore their cries, and soon pedestrians and other drivers will be repeating them, too!
Braking Is Sluggish
Disc brakes are known for their crisp stopping power. If you have to apply brake pressure a quarter-mile before your stop, something is wrong. The most likely cause is brake pad wear.
Car Pulls to One Side
If your brakes are applying even pressure, then there shouldn’t be any pulling. But if one brake pad is damaged, you may notice the car pulling to the left or right when you brake.
Brake Pads Look Worn Out
One of the best things about disc brakes is that you can visually assess the brake pads. You’ll want to replace your brake pads if there’s only a quarter-inch of material remaining. Obviously, if you see any cracking or other damage that would also be a good reason to replace your brake pads.
Brake Pad Terms You Should Know
When looking for new brake pads, there are a few terms you’ll see over and over again. It’s good to know what they mean before you start comparing brake pad options.
- Bite - Bite refers to how good the stopping power is (literally the brake pads’ ability to bite down on the rotor). This can be further divided into “hot bite” and “cold bite” to indicate how well the brake pad performs at different temperatures. There’s no official scale to measure brake bite, so you’ll have to gauge this for yourself based on reviews or what the manufacturer says.
- Brake Fade - Brake fade refers to the sudden reduction in brake power caused by repeated braking. Essentially, it’s an overheating issue that causes a lack of stopping power. Brake fade is more of an issue with some materials than others (materials are covered below). Drilled or slotted rotors can also be used to reduce brake fade.
- Brake Dust - Brake dust is the layer of dark gray soot you’re always cleaning off your wheels. It consists of whatever your brake pad is made of and some iron from the rotor. Over time, brake dust can eat through the clear coat and destroy your wheels. Depending on your brake pad’s compound, brake dust can also be bad for your health. The type of brake pad material you choose will determine how much brake dust you have to deal with.
Types of Brake Pads
While the back of a brake pad is pretty boring, the front is covered in material designed to create friction. There are a lot of different materials used in brake pads, and they all have advantages and disadvantages. The type of brake pad you choose will also affect everything from cost and noise to performance and the amount of brake dust produced.
| Brake Pad Material | Cost | Performance | Noise | Dust and Rotor Wear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | Most expensive | Good for performance driving | Quiet | Low dust output Minimal rotor wear |
| Metallic | Moderately expensive | Best range of temperatures | Noisy | High dust output Heavy rotor wear |
| Non-Metallic | Least expensive | Good for daily driving/commuting | Moderate | High dust output Less rotor wear |
Ceramic Brake Pads
Ceramic brakes are highly desirable, especially for performance driving. Ceramic brakes are known for being durable, producing little brake dust, and resisting brake fade.
Besides their high cost, there are a few downsides to ceramic brakes. Until they reach their ideal temperature, they don’t have as much bite as they do when warm. This makes them a poor choice for cold weather environments, or motorsports like the quarter-mile, where they don’t have time to warm up.
One interesting fact about ceramic brake pads is that they only seem quiet. They actually make a great deal of noise, it’s just at a frequency humans can’t process. You may make some canine enemies though.
Overall, ceramic brake pads offer a great blend of durability, bite, and low noise levels. Many performance drivers choose ceramic because they create less wear and tear to other brake components than metallics, the other popular performance brake pad material. They’re a popular choice for daily drivers due to their durability and low noise.
Metallic/Semi-Metallic Brake Pads
Metallic brake pads, or more accurately, semi-metallic, are usually between 30-70% metal. The metal used in semi-metallic brake pads can include iron, steel, composites, and copper, though copper is being phased out. These metals are typically combined with graphite lubricant and fillers.
Metallic brakes are the best brakes for performance because they have the best bite over the widest range of temperatures. But they’re also noisier and tend to create more wear and tear on the brake system.
Semi-metallics vary in price and performance depending on what metals are used. Most cars come stock with semi-metallic brakes of some variety. Other metallic blends are reserved for serious performance driving.
Non-Metallic Brake Pads
Non-metallic brake pads are often referred to as “NAO” brake pads, which stands for “Non-asbestos organic.” They’re sometimes called organic, too.
Non-metallic brakes can be made out of rubber, carbon compounds, glass, fiberglass, Kevlar, and/or resin. Asbestos used to be a popular material, but given the negative health consequences, it’s no longer used. You may want to double-check any classics you purchase though. Asbestos brakes were legal until 1995, so check your Fox Body Mustangs and SN95s as well.
Each of the different materials used in NAO brake pads has its pluses and minuses. The material will also impact the price. Kevlar brake pads are pretty pricey, but overall, NAO brake pads are almost always the least expensive option.
Unfortunately, most non-metallic brake pads are going to wear out faster than ceramic or metallic ones. They also tend to produce a lot of dust and, with a few exceptions, aren’t designed for performance driving.
Basically, these are the inexpensive brake pads you put on your daily work commuter.
What About Your Rotors?
Many of the issues caused by worn brake pads, like loud noises and steering wheel shaking, can also be caused by the rotors. Your rotors only need to be changed every other brake pad change. Like your brake pads though, rotors can wear out prematurely due to trapped debris.
While checking your brake pads, you should also check your brake rotors for surface cracks or other unusual wear and tear. If there are issues, you should replace them.
There’s no need to match your brake pads to your rotors in terms of brand. That said, if you’re thinking about performance brake pads you may also want to consider upgrading the rotors. Drilled and slotted rotors can help disperse heat and improve braking.
Other Brake Upgrades
As you increase your Mustang’s performance, your braking needs will also increase. People often start with a brake pad upgrade because it’s an inexpensive way to improve stopping power. But if you’ve upgraded your pads and still aren’t getting the stopping power you need, there are other mods that can improve your brake system.
As mentioned above, upgrading your brake rotors with your pads is a great way to improve stopping power. If your brake feel is still too soft, you could also bleed your brakes or try better braking fluid. Just remember to take it easy with brake upgrades until you know exactly how your new brake setup will stop.
