A brake component indicator configured to provide a visual indication of the release state of the brake component; the indicator comprising an indicator element connected to the brake component and moveable with the component during a braking operation, whereby the indicator element is provided with means to provide a visual indication of the direction and/or the distance moved by the indicator element during the braking operation. Preferably, the indicator element is in the form of a rod connected to a brake disk or pad that engages a moving part in a braking operation to brake the moving part, the rod provided with indicator means whose position is an indication of the distance the brake disk or pad has traveled to engage the moving part.