When do you change your brake pads?

Post by **songzunhuang** » 25 Feb 2012, 15:36

So I went to the dealer for a service and they told me I needed new rear brakes. I took off the wheel today and saw that the pads still had 4-5mm of pad material on them. Now, this seems like a whole lot of material still! Last time I got new pads, there was 11mm of material on them. So by my calculation, I still have 36-40% of the pad left. If you figure that a set of pads should last 40-50K miles at least, that means I have close to 20K miles left! That's over a year of driving!

So the question is, why the heck would they tell me I need new pads?

How far down do your pads get before you change them?

Post by **stone36** » 25 Feb 2012, 19:47

I wait until they are gone or there is some other problem (squealing, vibrations etc.). Volvo pads are thick, but IMO if nothing is wrong with them, I wouldn't be in a rush. I think I got around 60K out of the first OEM set.

Post by **xHeart** » 25 Feb 2012, 19:52

I know! Whats up with these guys.

It have 6/32 tire tread, but the Firestone guys can't wait to sell me a set + alignment. There is also the used market to feed. You will find all sorts of to-do items this time of the year, tax return can be a motivator.

Post by **precopster** » 25 Feb 2012, 23:43

General rule of thumb is replace when equal or less than thickness of the backing plate. So in your case perhaps afew months early. This also happens to be the roadworthy certificate standard here in our state.

The pad material itself acts as a method of heat transfer so with less pad material, the chance of this material cracking as it
1) ages
2) becomes thinner

increases as pad thickness decreases. When cracking of the material takes place this is when discs experience most of the scoring and lines. Make sure you check both wheels as the other side may have been more worn.

Post by **songzunhuang** » 26 Feb 2012, 00:05

Thanks for the insight. I did check both wheels and also both the outer and inner pads. One side had 4mm and the other 5mm. None of the pads seemed thin enough for replacement.

I've already purchased a new set of rotors and pads. I am just going to wait a few months and then change everything when it's about 2mm.