When to Replace Your Mustang Brakes – Signs, Upgrades & Recommendations

Is your Mustang starting to screech to a halt? Or does it smell like your wheels are on fire every single time you hit the brakes? Unfortunately, these are signs that you need to replace Mustang’s brake system, and it might be time to consider an upgrade. The good news? You've come to the right place. In this guide, we cover the signs of failing Mustang brakes, some upgrades worth considering, and even some additional accessories and parts that will make a difference.

Signs You Need New Mustang Brakes

There are a handful of signs and symptoms of brake failure that you need to be aware of. The good news is that you can catch a lot of them early. Discover the most common signs of brake trouble below.

Screeching or Grinding Noises

When you press the brake pedal, your vehicle should come to a stop without making any noise. Now, there is an exception if you have drilled-and-slotted rotors and they're wet, but in other cases, this is a sign that you need new brake pads. Now, if you ignore these noises and let your brakes continue speaking, eventually you'll seize your caliper and need new Mustang rotors. Therefore, it's a good idea to act fast once you notice strange noises coming from your brake system.

Burning Smells

When you hit the brakes, does it smell like something is on fire? If so, these are signs that you need new brake pads. What's more, if you wait until you notice a burning odor, it's probably time for new brake rotors, too. In some cases, you should check your calipers and brake lines, as excessive heat can stress the system and increase the risk of damage or failure.

Physical Signs of Wear

You don't have to wait until your brake system begins to fail to replace the system, and we don't recommend doing so. Instead, keep an eye out for some physical signs of wear. Check your rotors for scratches, and inspect the pads to ensure that you have more than three millimeters of pad left. Once it dips under this range, it's time to swap out your pads.

Mustang Brake System Upgrades Every Enthusiast Should Consider

We know that it may be more affordable to throw on some simple OE-style brake pads and rotors, and this is fine for some builds, but you'll get the most value out of brake system upgrades. Sure, the initial investment may be higher, but you can think of it as an investment in your safety. Plus, you'll have to replace your brake system less frequently, which saves you money over the long term. Learn more about some Mustang brake system upgrades below.

Drilled-and-Slotted Rotors

When it's time to upgrade your Mustang’s brake system, we always recommend starting with your rotors. After all, your rotors are the foundation of your brake system. Even if you don't want to replace the entire system, if you have a high-horsepower Mustang, it's worth upgrading your front brake system to drilled-and-slotted because it's responsible for about 80% of the stopping power. Drilled-and-slotted systems allow more air to flow through the brake system, which improves brake cooling. Whether you’re hitting the track or coming to a stop in traffic, these rotors will last longer than OE counterparts and reduce the stress of intense friction on the rest of your brake system.

Premium Ceramic Brake Pads

When upgrading your brake system, you can't forget about the pads. Having strong rotors is helpful, yes, but without pads, it doesn't matter how great your rotors are. If you want to upgrade your brake pads, it's a good idea to consider some advanced options from brands like PowerStop. You'll find some awesome ceramic brake pads that leverage carbon fiber designs to last longer and perform better. Plus, brands like PowerStop offer brake pads that have a consistent friction coefficient that reduces brake fade, which is helpful at the track or during your commute.

Caliper Covers

Another great upgrade you can make is an improvement to your Mustang’s caliper covers. While subtle, a new set of caliper covers will look great and prevent excessive brake dust from building up. Plus, if you have larger wheels, you may want to get larger caliper covers that will fill out the wheel better. If you don't, your wheels may look a little wonky. Plenty of great colors and styles are available to choose from, so caliper covers will also improve your Mustang’s curb appeal.

Our Recommendations

Whether you want to replace OE parts or upgrade your Mustang’s brake system, we have some additional recommendations that will help you out.

Upgrade Your Brake Rotors, Calipers, and Pads in One Shot

Instead of replacing one brake component at a time, maximize your brake system’s performance by upgrading the entire system in one shot. Not only does this route offer the best value, but you don't have to overthink anything by trying to mix and match parts. Thankfully, we make it easy to upgrade the entire system with high-quality brake pad and rotor kits.

Bigger Brake Systems

Do you plan on upgrading your Mustang’s wheels and tires? And do you plan on going bigger? Well, you need to make sure your Mustang’s brake system can handle these larger wheels and tires because they require more force to stop. The good news is that we have bigger brake systems that can help you out. Connect with our sales techs to find the right big brake system for your specific wheel and tire setup.

Stop with the Best Mustang Brake Systems

Whether you want to replace your OEM brake pads and rotors with high-performance racing options or you want to replace a pad or two to get back on the road, you've come to the right place. Keep an eye out for the signs of failing Mustang brakes that we covered, and connect with our sales techs for more assistance finding the right kit.