When do I NEED to replace my front pads?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
From: Ellington CT
When do I NEED to replace my front pads?
I have around 37K miles on the car and my mechanic told me my front brake pads looked like they need changed real soon. I trust him as he is a friend of mine. I plan on upgrading both the pads and the rotors but would like to wait a couple months. Will the brakes warn me with squeeling before they get to the point of being dangerous? I don't care if I screw up the rotors because I plan to toss them anyway, but I don't want to drive in an unsafe condition.
I have been know on occasion to really lay into the brakes, so it really wouldn't surprise me if the pads were worn out.
Any opinions?
I have been know on occasion to really lay into the brakes, so it really wouldn't surprise me if the pads were worn out.
Any opinions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,909
Likes: 1,858
From: Hot Springs AR
Mileage is not a valid way to measure brake pad wear; you have to look at the pad. Best way is to pull the front wheels, then look at the pads, either through the center vent in the calipers (can be obscured by a pushback spring) or on the rotor side (easy to see the outer pad, harder for the inner). Use the center groove as a gauge: if you can't see the groove at all, change the pads NOW. The groove will be about 1/4" deep when the pads are new.
BTW, OEM rotors are excellent pieces; I've autocrossed on mine for over two years now with no problems at all. Slots are primarily for looks, although that's a subject for debate. Drilled are for looks only; they'll crack if you ever use the brakes hard (like autox or tracking your car, they're ususally OK for the street).
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
BTW, OEM rotors are excellent pieces; I've autocrossed on mine for over two years now with no problems at all. Slots are primarily for looks, although that's a subject for debate. Drilled are for looks only; they'll crack if you ever use the brakes hard (like autox or tracking your car, they're ususally OK for the street).
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,895
Likes: 84
From: Darien IL
I have run the pads down to the backing plates on occasion. The pads are expensive, so I want to use them up completely when I can.
The down side is that under track conditions, the thinner the pad, the more heat is transferred into the brake fluid and it's easier to boil the brake fluid. If you are not tracking the car, this does not apply.
When the backing plates hit the rotors, it sounds like you have gravel trapped between the rotors and pads. Embarrasing noise, but the brakes still work.
Harder compound pads squeak when they are new, so sqeaking is not always a true indicator. Some Z06 guys complain about squeaking brakes with the stock pads.
Will they last another 3 months? That depends on how much material is left on the thinnest pad and how hard you brake. Rotors are about $25 apiece from NAPA and ceramic pads are about $50 depending on brand and supplier. Labor varies.
The down side is that under track conditions, the thinner the pad, the more heat is transferred into the brake fluid and it's easier to boil the brake fluid. If you are not tracking the car, this does not apply.
When the backing plates hit the rotors, it sounds like you have gravel trapped between the rotors and pads. Embarrasing noise, but the brakes still work.
Harder compound pads squeak when they are new, so sqeaking is not always a true indicator. Some Z06 guys complain about squeaking brakes with the stock pads.
Will they last another 3 months? That depends on how much material is left on the thinnest pad and how hard you brake. Rotors are about $25 apiece from NAPA and ceramic pads are about $50 depending on brand and supplier. Labor varies.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
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From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Always better safe than sorry! Just take a few minutes and change 'em out! You'll have peace of mind!
Thanks,Matt
Thanks,Matt
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,055
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
If they are stock pads the squealers should alert you to when you need to change the pads. If the squealers are adjusted correctly and the pads are wearing evenly you will hear them squealing as you drive down the street when the pad material gets down to 2/32 of an inch. They squeal when your foot isn't on the brake. Most state inspections require the pads be replaced when they reach 2/32 of an inch. You can take the wheel off to get a good look at the front pads. I would do this to make sure the pads are wearing evenly and are not tapered. If you have 2/32 and don't drive too much you can easily get by for a couple of months. The stock pads do not wear the rotors much so if the rotors are not scored you have a good chance they can be reused without even resurfacing them (GM does not recommend resurfacing on a pad change unless the rotor is damaged). The worst thing that could happen is you wear the pads down to the backing plate and severely score the rotor. You will know when this happens because the brakes will make some terrible grinding noises when you are on the brakes. My daughter does this on a regular basis and drives me nuts when she comes to me and says she needs an instant brake job.
Bill
Bill
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
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From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
If they are stock pads the squealers should alert you to when you need to change the pads. If the squealers are adjusted correctly and the pads are wearing evenly you will hear them squealing as you drive down the street when the pad material gets down to 2/32 of an inch. They squeal when your foot isn't on the brake. Most state inspections require the pads be replaced when they reach 2/32 of an inch. You can take the wheel off to get a good look at the front pads. I would do this to make sure the pads are wearing evenly and are not tapered. If you have 2/32 and don't drive too much you can easily get by for a couple of months. The stock pads do not wear the rotors much so if the rotors are not scored you have a good chance they can be reused without even resurfacing them (GM does not recommend resurfacing on a pad change unless the rotor is damaged). The worst thing that could happen is you wear the pads down to the backing plate and severely score the rotor. You will know when this happens because the brakes will make some terrible grinding noises when you are on the brakes. My daughter does this on a regular basis and drives me nuts when she comes to me and says she needs an instant brake job.
Bill
Bill
just flip some pads in there if rotor is not all grooved up. If you need rotors NAPA's are 28 each. Get rid of the old fluid also. Great percentage of thimes the squeakers don't work or you radio is to loud. Then the day you do need them done will be probably seem like the most inopportune dsay of your life to do them. Autozone has 2 year warranty on pads. It was life time but now two years. No reciept needed, just walk in and give them your name and the old pads. I have gotten 5 full sets of pads for my Dodge dooley like this. They are PFC pads which are great. Lube the slide pins also.
Last edited by John Shiels; Jan 20, 2007 at 01:51 PM.
