You can see if your brakes have squealers by taking off the wheel. It will be a small tab of metal next to your pads.
You might also feel your car grinding when you try to stop if your brake pads are worn. [6] X Expert Source Duston MaynesAutomotive Repair Specialist Expert Interview. 11 June 2021.
The exterior “braking material” (usually made of metal) should measure the same thickness on both sides. You can take measurements of the material with a ruler. Rear brake shoes are good for 30,000–40,000 miles (48,000–64,000 km) and can last twice as long as your front brakes.
This method is less accurate than taking your wheel off and measuring the brake pads. Make sure your car has been turned off for a while or it may still be hot.
You can purchase a vernier caliper at a hardware or automotive store or online.
If you’ve never used a jack on your car, get help from someone who has instead of doing it yourself.
You can remove most tire bolts with a lug or torque wrench. Check the rotors—if there’s any grooving on them, you’ll need to replace those. [15] X Expert Source Duston MaynesAutomotive Repair Specialist Expert Interview. 11 June 2021.
If one brake pad is worn down and the others aren’t, the caliper may be sticking. If that happens, replace the caliper. [18] X Expert Source Duston MaynesAutomotive Repair Specialist Expert Interview. 11 June 2021.
