Is there a standard measurement at which the pads should be replaced , or does it vary by vehicle ? My wife's CX-9 has 100k on the original pads . I had it in the shop for a brake booster replacement and the tech said that the pads were thin but not metal on metal yet . He said if we ever hear it squeal , get it in the shop immediately . I'm just curious about the actual measurement because I see it mentioned sometimes .
Brake pad measurement .
- Thread starter nomas
- Start date
Do the pads have wear sensors on them or a low pad warning light?
Find another shop. Once you hear it squeal, the rotors are scored and need machining at least, if not outright replacement. Shop want's to do more repairs for you then you would have to if you just replace the pads before they are metal to metal.
Negative, audible wear sensors are part of some pad designs as a warning to drivers to have their brakes inspected for wear. Grinding brakes is a different story.
I understand what you are saying but that's not the vibe I got from him . His point was that if I don't change them now , then do it as soon as I hear them make noise . This shop has a good rep in this town .
100k gotta need a brake job. That thing may never come apart if you wait much longer.
Did you get this vehicle used? It must of had rears done once.
If he is sure they have the noise makers, then not a problem to wait until they make some noise.
Interesting, thanks for sharing. @nomas have them inspected at your next service with a report on the amount of lining that remains.Not on that model.
You wouldn't replace rotors with 100k regardless?
If they aren't worn out of spec, I'd rather have used OEM rotors than new aftermarket Chinese.
Brakes are usually recommended at 2-3mm. If the brakes are noisy, pulsating or if there are environmental factors (e.g. rust), then sooner is understandable.
Not always. I've seen used OE with 100K be in better condition than 1 yr old Chinesium.
New OE isn't an option?
I mean consider me crazy but there is no way I would reuse relatively inexpensive rotors with that kind of mileage unless it was a pure highway vehicle and not in the rust belt.
I can't speak for Vancouver, but down here, I've seen many rear rotors in fantastic shape after 10 years+ and 100K. Probably comparable to stuff that is a few months old in your area.
So 2-3 mm is what I'm looking for . Thanks .
To get 100k miles on front pads is not unusual. I got 130k miles out of the front pads on my wife's Outback. But rear pads usually need replacement before 100k miles. Of course brake life differs greatly, depending on factors such as driving style, vehicle weight and quality of brake pads
Depending upon how many miles your wife drives each month, and how aggressive of a driver she is, will make a difference on the urgency you put into having pads replaced. Generally, 4 mm is considered a still safe and usable amount of pad. Plenty of material between the rotor and the pad backing plate. But if you are one to forget to watch maintenance items on a car, then I would replace them at 4 mm. If your brake pads are measuring 3 mm or below, start planning on getting them replaced soon. At 2 mm, get it scheduled immediately.
For reference, some states and countries where safety inspections are mandatory, will fail a vehicle at 1.5 mm.
Depending upon how many miles your wife drives each month, and how aggressive of a driver she is, will make a difference on the urgency you put into having pads replaced. Generally, 4 mm is considered a still safe and usable amount of pad. Plenty of material between the rotor and the pad backing plate. But if you are one to forget to watch maintenance items on a car, then I would replace them at 4 mm. If your brake pads are measuring 3 mm or below, start planning on getting them replaced soon. At 2 mm, get it scheduled immediately.
For reference, some states and countries where safety inspections are mandatory, will fail a vehicle at 1.5 mm.
With no intention of being insulting to my fellow BITOG members, I've never understood when people replace rotors at every brake job. It is rarely needed at every brake job, and often not needed even at every other brake job.
I replace rotors based upon actual measurement, and compare the measurement to the spec. When I measure, I consider how many miles I estimate to the next brake job. If I estimate that the rotor will be anywhere close to the minimum thickness spec. before the next brake job, I will replace them. But it is not unusual for rotors to last through 3 sets of pads.
That is assuming the rotors are wearing evenly and are free of damage. Heavy pitting, scoring and such, all changes that. Damaged rotors will significantly reduce the wear life of brake pads. So if they are damaged, then they need replacement, regardless of thickness.
Because they're like $75 for new, OE ones. If they are in great shape and can be turned, then by all means, do that. But that is not free either, requires additional trip(s) to a shop, etc.
But of course this is BITOG where people brag about changing oil every 2k but also about never changing brake fluid. So who knows.
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