Brake Pad Wear Question

[solidfish]

Are the brake pads equipped with a sensor to indicate when it need to be replaced?

Thanks

[01gsxf600]

ummm im pretty sure it doesnt

if they are weak and thin....might as well change em

[Black_peter]

There is a groove cut in the pad.
It should be visable with out removing the pad.
If the pad is worn to the groove. Replace.

[solidfish]

Would you have a side picture of the pads. I can see how much padding I have left but I dunno how much padding there was to start with.

Thanks again

[Black_peter]

ummm. no.
That was a pic I grabbed from google just
to illistrate..

[bcsean]

Since I just changed mine, I think there is roughly 1/4" to 3/8" material to start with. that's by no means something to count on, but off the top of my head.

[Special K]

Pop the dust cap off one, take a light and look down inside. Look for the thcikness of the pad and the groove. You CAN see them.......gotta crane your neck a bit, and a little pen light helps, but you can do it!

[solidfish]

thanks, i can see there is still some left on the pad. but the pad itself is so very thin, i'm not sure at what point it needs to be replaced.

ill just ask for a new pad next time im at the dealership to make a thickness comparison

thanks for the help

[Black_peter]

i'm not sure at what point it needs to be replaced.

solidfish I'm not sure how more clear we could have been.. If you cannot see a goove than get new pads.

[solidfish]

sorry, what i meant is that the pad itself is so very thin, its very hard to see the groove. You are talking about milimeters...

Thanks again

[The CyberPoet]

Note that not all pads have the grooves, although they really ought to (not for wear reasons, but for off-gassing reasons to help prevent glazing).

As for the specs on pad width for those which don't have the groove (here let me grab a set of rear EBC pads for a 98+ off the shelf and a micrometer):
New rear EBC HH pad (FA63HH) has literally 1/4" (.250") of pad material above the backing plate, which would be approx 6.3mm.
Pad replacement should occur at any time the pad is down to 1/4 of that -- so approximately 1.5mm.

Whatever you do, you don't want to get past the pads and run on the backings at all, or you'll be due for new rotors and possibly new calipers as well.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet