Abstract: A brake element for use in applying a frictional braking force to a rotating brake rotor includes a backing plate and a pad of friction material mounted on the backing plate. The backing plate is formed with an integral wear sensor portion in the form of a punched tab feature that is bent out of the mounting plate. A tip end of the wear sensor resides below the level of the outer braking surface of the pad. When the pad wears to the point where the sensor tip is exposed, it rubs on the rotor and generates an audible signal.