Auto Systems and Repair
Brake Pad Wear Sensors (Mechanical)
The mechanical brake pad wear sensors are small metal tabs on the backing plate of a brake pad. They are designed to contact the brake rotor surface and make a squealing or scraping noise when the brake pads have worn down to the point of needing replacement.
Symptoms of Wear or Failure
- Screeching or scraping noise while driving; in some cases, the noise will stop when the brakes are applied
Related Repair Advice
- Ignoring the noise from a brake warning sensor may result in damage to the brake rotor(s), and in extreme cases, the brake caliper(s)
- Mechanical brake wear sensors are permanently attached to the brake pads
- Not all replacement pads come with wear sensors; we recommend using replacement pads that do come with sensors
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