It’s important to be able to recognize the noises that are coming from your car’s braking system. Rattling or grinding can be signs that there is a problem that needs your attention. Of course, even when they’re functioning properly, some brake systems make more noise than others. Knowing what to look for in replacement pads can help you quiet a noisy brake system.
What are the quietest brake pads? Overall, ceramic brake pads are the quietest brake pads available. There are two features to consider when shopping for replacement brake pads, and each has an impact on the amount of noise that you’ll hear from your vehicle’s braking system.
The first is the type of friction material that the pads are constructed of. The second is the backing plate and whether or not it is galvanized.
There are several common types of friction material used in the construction of brake pads. Each type of friction material offers different levels of braking power and expected longevity. The type of friction material that you select will also have a bearing on the noise level. When you want to get the best combination of these elements, price can become the biggest factor.
Finding A Quieter Brake Pad
Everybody is looking for the smoothest, quietest ride possible. Of course, when it comes to noise from your braking system, you also need to know that you’re getting the performance that you need to make your vehicle safe in whatever conditions you’ll be driving. The friction material of your brake pads will determine their performance and the amount of noise.
Metallic and semi-metallic brake pads offer the kind of performance that you’ll need if you drive a heavier vehicle, haul heavy loads, or subject your brakes to extreme demands like steep downhills. Unfortunately, to get that performance, you’re going to have to put up with a noisier brake pad.
Non-asbestos organic pads (NAO) and low-metallic non-asbestos organic pads are more environmentally friendly than metallic and semi-metallic pads. They also offer a quieter ride. The downside of these options is a reduced capacity for braking power and decreased longevity.
Ceramic brake pads offer excellent braking power and longevity in a nearly silent pad. They also help to extend the life of your vehicles brake rotors because they wear on them less than other pads. But if you want all of the benefits of ceramic, you’re going to pay more for your replacement pads.
Metallic and Semi-Metallic Pads
Semi-Metallic pads combine both metal and organic or mineral materials. These pads feature friction material that is composed of 30-60% metal. Copper, iron, and steel are the most common metallic materials used in their construction. Semi-metallic pads offer excellent stopping power, durability, and heat transfer, but they generate more noise and dust than other pads.
Full-metallic pads are even stronger than semi-metallic pads. They offer the maximum amount of stopping power and smooth, dependable performance, but they are even noisier and dustier than semi-metallics. Generally, full-metallic pads are reserved for extreme street use and track applications. It’s also worth noting their tendency to wear out rotors faster than other pads.
Semi-metallic pads are the most common type of brake pad on the market. They offer better overall braking power than ceramic or organic pads in general. Their performance advantage is even greater for braking in cold weather environments.
Non-Asbestos Organic and Low-Metallic NAO Pads
NAO pads can be made from a variety of organic materials, including fiber, glass, rubber, and Kevlar. These friction materials are softer than metallic and semi-metallic pads, so the tend to be quieter—but they have the downside of wearing out faster and generating more dust.
NAO pads came onto the market as an alternative to traditional asbestos pads due to the health risks that asbestos pads posed. The options keep getting better, and some even compete with ceramic pads on performance measures. Of all the organic friction materials, Kevlar tends to perform the best, but it is also the most expensive option for NAO pads.
Some manufacturers add copper or steel to their organic friction materials to get pads that deliver better braking performance and heat transfer characteristics. Unfortunately, these pads still generate a considerable amount of brake dust, and the addition of the metals tends to erase any of the noise level benefits that NAO pads offer over semi-metallics and metallics.
Organic pads should offer all of the performance that you need for everyday driving in temperate environments. They tend to overheat more quickly in hot climates and can take longer to warm up in colder weather.
Ceramic Pads
Ceramic pads combine all of the best performance factors of the other friction material options. Like metallic and semi-metallic pads, they deliver excellent braking power and impressive longevity. Like NAO pads, they are quiet.
In addition to these features, they tend to produce much less brake dust than other options. They also help to extend the life of your vehicle’s brake rotors because they don’t wear on them as much as other friction materials. The downside of ceramic pads is that they are much more expensive than other friction materials.
Ceramic pads offer excellent year-round performance in a wide range of environments. They are definitely the best option if you’re shopping for the quietest brake pad that you can find. Unless you are doing high-performance driving, this option is probably going to be overdoing it on performance and price. You’ll have to decide how important the noise factor is before making the purchase.
To Galvanize or Not to Galvanize?
The friction material that you choose for your brake pads will determine the amount of brake noise that you experience from day-one of having your replacement pads installed. Now that we’ve discussed each of the most common types of friction material, you can make a decision on the right mix of performance and noise reduction for your needs.
After friction material, the most important consideration that affects brake noise is the backing plate that the friction material is mounted on. While many brake pads feature backing plates that are painted or powder-coated, some offer the option of a galvanized backing plate. Choosing a galvanized backing plate won’t offer any additional noise reduction at the outset, but it will guarantee a quieter ride over time.
Brake pad backing plates that are painted or powder-coated use an adhesive to attach the friction material to the plate. In contrast, galvanized backing plates hold the friction material in place with metal teeth. When painted or powder-coated plates begin to corrode, the adhesive tends to fail and the friction material peels or separates. This leads to more brake noise.
Because they resist rust and corrosion and forego the adhesive in favor of mechanical attachment, galvanized pads promise a longer life without the possibility of brake noise due to corrosion, rust, or other breakdown of the components.
Conclusion
When it comes to getting a quieter ride by way of a brake pad replacement, it helps to know what you’ve been running prior to the change. Depending on what you’ve been riding on, getting a quieter ride could be as simple as choosing a different friction material. Of course, if you’re already running NAO pads, then going with an even quieter option is likely to cost you a bit more money. Knowing what your options are for friction material and for backing plates will allow you to select the right combination for your vehicle based on how you intend to use it, what you’re used to in terms of brake noise, and how much you’re willing to spend to get a quieter ride.