Keeping your Land Rover in its safest condition is best done by a Land Rover service centre but there are a few things you can do from the comfort of your garage or driveway. Inspecting your Land Rover brake pads is one such task. Worn or damaged brake pads can lead to you putting your passengers at risk. Our guide will help explain how to inspect them and why it is important. We should add though that if you feel unsure about such checks or have concerns about your vehicle, you should contact us immediately so we can help.
Why do you need to inspect the brake pads on a Land Rover?
The brakes play such a vital role in the use of your Land Rover that they endure significant wear over time. Leaving them unchecked could see you driving your vehicle in an unsafe state and putting you and other road users at risk. The friction the pads make with the rotors can go largely unnoticed and then unfortunately, once it is too late, the brakes either fail or don’t respond as quickly as they should.
How will I know if my Land Rover brake pads are worn out?
When you drive your Land Rover, you might spot a few signs that all is not well with the brakes. Common signs of worn brakes could include:
- Vibrating steering wheel
- Vibrating brake pedal
- Grinding noises when you push the brake pedal
- A burning smell
- Brake warning lights come on
- A screeching noise when you brake
- Your Land Rover pulling to one side when you brake
The different types of Land Rover brake pads
Depending on the model of your Land Rover, you may find different brake pads from those you have possibly worked on before. You could see that your vehicle has organic pads, semi-metallic pads or ceramic pads. Each one offers something a little different.
Organic brake pads
The organic brake pad is an option that provides a quieter and softer braking experience but they can wear out quite quickly and require frequent changing.
Semi-metallic brake pads
Semi-metallic brake pads offer fantastic performance but can be quite noisy.
Ceramic brake pads
The more expensive of the three options, these pads have both low noise and less brake dust.
Inspecting your Land Rover brake pads
Firstly, get the tools that you’ll need for the job. These include:
- A jack
- Jack stands
- A wrench
- A torch
- A clean cloth
- A brake pad gauge
Once these are collected, you can begin the process.
Safety first
Ensure the Land Rover is parked on a flat surface with the engine turned off. Apply the handbrake too so there isn’t any movement from your Land Rover.
Loosen the wheels
Losen the wheels but don’t remove them. You could choose to loosen just one wheel at a time or do both on the side you are currently inspecting.
Raise the vehicle
Using the jack, raise your Land Rover so it is possible to remove the wheel. Once it is raised. Place jack stands underneath to give support.
Remove wheel nuts
With the Land Rover now raised, remove the loosened wheel nuts.
Locate the brake pads
With the wheel removed, you should be able to find the brake pads. They will be on either side of the brake rotor.
Use your brake gauge
With a brake gauge, check the thickness of the pads. ¼ inch is the minimum expected but you should check your Land Rover manual as some models may have certain recommendations.
Look for wear indicators
On many vehicles, wear indicators are present on brake pads. These are small metal tabs that make a screeching sound when you apply the brakes. If your Land Rover does this, you should look to book a service with us right away.
Check for signs of damage
Look around the brake pads for signs of chipping, cracks or spots of uneven wear. These are all signs that your brakes are not at their best. At the same time, look for glazing. This is where the pads may appear shiny. This indicates the brakes are overheating, and therefore worn down.
Inspect your brake rotors
Whilst the pads are getting your attention, you shouldn’t stray far from inspecting the rotors too. Look for any signs of damage or wear and see if they appear warped. An uneven brake rotor can lead to them underperforming and possibly cause accidents.
With the checks complete, put the wheels back on and tighten the nuts by hand. Then carefully lower the vehicle by removing the jack stands and using the jack. With your Land Rover back on the surface, tighten the nuts with the wrench.
Before driving the Land Rover again, test the brake pedal to see if the brakes respond normally.
Can you test drive your Land Rover after inspecting the brake pads?
Yes, although we would strongly advise you to drive it slowly and in an area with plenty of space. This way, should there be any problems with the brakes, you are reducing the risk of causing issues for other road users. Listen out for any unusual sounds and see if anything feels different. If it does, contact your local Land Rover garage.
How long should brake pads last on a Land Rover?
Depending on the pad you use, your style of driving and the Land Rover you own, you could see 30,000-50,000 miles covered before your brake pads need changing. This isn’t to say you should push the vehicle to that limit though. If you spot signs the brakes are wearing out, inspect and change them as soon as possible.
Whilst inspections of brake pads are a relatively simple task, you should only do it if you have full confidence in your ability. Should you have any concerns over any part of a brake inspection, you should leave it to a professional mechanic. If during your inspection, you discover your brake pads are worn and need replacing, do not drive your Land Rover and have it serviced as soon as possible.
At RCV we have over 40 years of experience servicing and maintaining Land Rovers. Our experienced team of technicians only use OEM or genuine parts and the latest Land Rover diagnostics. What’s more, our prices are up to 40% lower than the main dealers. Contact us today to see how we can keep your Land Rover safe for less.