Are Brake Pads Interchangeable?

Brake pads are a part of the disc brakes that are used in automotive applications. They are mainly comprised of steel plates equipped with materials bound to their surfaces which are turned towards the disc brake rotors.

They contact the rotors and generate friction to stop the vehicle. Generally, brake pads are part of the system which depends on each of its parts to function safely and properly too.

Specifically, brake pads are not interchangeable between or among models. This is because every model, make, or year of the vehicle has its size or type of brake pads that are specifically suitable for it.

Therefore,  it is conventional practice to be provided with the details of all brake pads that can serve any model of vehicle in the user manual of the vehicle.

As a result of this, it is highly suggested that you check your accompanying user manual or consult experts on the matter with regards to the specific type and size of the brake pad compatible with your type of vehicle. 

Nonetheless, some vehicles commonly use the same types of brake pads despite any difference in their models or designs, even though brake pads are not generally compatible across all makes and types of cars.

Although in some cases, people may be tempted to swap brake pads if that of one side is worn out. However,  replacing the brake pads with only one side will only worsen the rate at which it is corroded, which in itself is risky.

To this effect, you are strongly advised to replace either the front or rear brake pads at the same time always.

Brake pads are not interchangeable except in situations where it is stated either in the user manual or that is confirmed by experts on the matter.

This is basically because they come in different sizes, specifications, and types. It is therefore recommended that before you commit any money to get replacement brake pads for your vehicle, it is advisable to find out the types that will fit your vehicle correctly.

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Why are brake pads interchangeable?

Again, brake pads are not interchangeable between different models of cars by different manufacturers.

All the same,  there are some interchangeable brake pads in cars by the same manufacturers or those that are the same models too. Vehicle manufacturers ensure that their spare parts are always unique to their vehicles since lots of money is generated from the sale of these spare parts.

Therefore, when the manufacturers make their parts unique and non-interchangeable, it ensures that they will continue to make money from them until other companies start to fabricate copies from them.

As a result, vehicle manufacturers make interchangeable brake pads for their specific vehicles mainly because it will increase their chances of making more money from the sale of these parts for several years before copies are made by others.

What is the purpose of interchangeable brake pads?

Although it is generally known that brake pads are not interchangeable across different models or makes of vehicles by different manufacturers.

However, in some cases, cars by the same manufacturers can have readily interchangeable or universal brake pads other spare parts as well.

Doing this will enable the manufacturers to continue making money from their spare parts until such time when copies will be fabricated by others.

Therefore, any inter-changeable brake pads by a manufacturer for their models or makes of cars are just meant to enhance their sales to make more money from them. Although you should not venture into buying any brake pads or other spare parts unless you are sure they will be useful for your make of vehicle.

How do I interchange brake pads?

To interchange brake pads, you are advised to put the antifreeze of the replacement brake pads on their ends instead of on the clips themselves.

Most importantly, brake pads need to match or fit exactly in all measurements such as widths of the brake calipers before any interchange can be done successfully. This is because you can’t have any space in there since it can be dangerous particularly when you want to press hard on the brakes.

Although the new brake pads can be a little longer or shorter than the ones you used previously. Also, to remove the brake pads, you may have to wiggle them out, but they should be able to come out with relative ease.

  It is important also to know that most rear brake pads are the same between them, but the ones in front are quite different because of their dual-piston calipers compared to the single piston types of brake pads.

This implies that rotors can be interchanged, but brake pads, not at all except under certain conditions as explained earlier in the article. 

All in all, where any interchangeability is possible, it can be done quickly and easily without the need for any specialized tools.

Furthermore, if you should do the interchange yourself, it will save you both money and time. Although you may need to change the brake rotors themselves or at least get them turned on a brake lathe.

The brake pads in the front are known to work a lot harder than those at the rear. As a result, they are of different sizes so that they will be able to cope with the force applied to them.

This simply means that front and rear brake pads cannot be interchanged at all since they won’t fit on the calipers.

Will an interchangeable brake pad ruin anything?

As long as you are certain of the compatibility of the brake pads in all ramifications and statistics, it is not likely that interchanging fully compatible brake pads will result in damage to anything.

Although it is of paramount importance to always remember that before any interchange, you are completely certain that the brake pads are very compatible in every conceivable manner.

If they are not, you risk increased wear and tear to the brake pads, and also, it may affect the efficiency of your braking force and distance as well, which can be quite dangerous.

Are left and right brake pads interchangeable?

If care is not taken,  especially in cases where there are no markings or you are not paying enough attention, it is possible to mistakenly attempt to install brake pads with their wire indicators on one caliper.

However, you should know that of the 4 front brake pads, only 2 of them that have no metal clips are interchangeable but the others are not.

Although in some specific models of vehicles, there may be no difference among the left, right, inner, or outer brake pads. And again, these brake pads only fit into the brake shoes provided for them.

Conclusively, therefore, you can interchange only the front brake pads that do not have the metal clip, but not the others.

Are rear brake pads interchangeable?

Yes, you can safely interchange rear brake pads. This is primarily because rear brake pads are similar between them, but those in the front are quite different because of the dual-piston calipers, especially when compared to those with only one piston.

Therefore, you can safely interchange brake rotors, but not brake pads unless certain specific criteria are met fully. This means also that you can interchange rear brake pads safely, but not the ones in the front.

Again, most inner brake pads are equipped with 2 ears on top of the pads which match with the brake caliper pistons. Still, the outer brake pads have a sort of chamfer and are also at the top too.

Therefore, if you should interchange them, there is the possibility that upon application of the brake, the brake caliper can come in contact with the inner surface of the wheel itself.

Although generally, most disc brake rotors of the same diameter size are known to be cross-compatible, in a few cases, that might not be entirely the case.

This is because the thickness of the disc brake rotors might not be the same by different manufacturers since they can be either thicker or thinner. 

Notably, in most cases, brake rotors may be interchangeable even when the brake pads are not. All the same, it is highly expected that your brake pads stand the chance of being more interchangeable when the rotors are than when they are not.

Are Brake Pads Interchangeable – Conclusion

Brake rotors are generally more interchangeable than brake pads. Fortunately, however, for most vehicles by the same manufacturers, provided the models and years of manufacture of the vehicles are the same, their brake pads can be readily interchangeable.

However, it is most advisable that you are certain of their matching statistics and other specifications before you undertake anything further.

To be on the side of caution, you should always refer to your user manual or ask experts on the matter. After all, you must not for any reason take liberties with your braking system, or must you?