How to tell Brake Pads are worn

[DaLurker]

So my mechanic tells me my 2003 Honda Accord with 26,000 km needs new brake pads and possibly new rotors. I've visually inspected my brakes and can't seem to determine whether the pads are worn or not.

I was wondering if anybody here can help provide some useful hints on how to tell whether a brakepad is worn visually without removing the wheel. From what I can tell there seems to be a lot of material left, however I have noticed squeeking when braking and possible pedal vibration when braking on the highway.

[TrevorK]

Pedal vibration is generally a sign of warped rotors.

I wish I could give you better advice to check your brake pad life, but if you can't see it clearly through your rims then you will have to take your wheel off.


Now, if your rotors are warped your mechanic would most likely be telling you to change the pads because it is good practice to change the pads whenever the rotors are changed, regardless of wear.


Personally, I would find it hard to believe that a 2003 Accord with 26K KM needs new rotors / pads. Even GMs last longer than that!

[S14_Raven]

Personally, I would find it hard to believe that a 2003 Accord with 26K KM needs new rotors / pads. Even GMs last longer than that!

I think it all boils down to driving style.

I don't think there's a 'shorcut' way to check brakes without removing the wheel. Well.... u got one of those tiny angled mirrors dentist use? :lol:

[lurker]

The Honda manual specifies a service limit of 1.6 mm or 0.06 in

and yes you do have to remove the wheel.

Here's a picture of the brake pad from the manual.

http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/4604/brakesyq4.jpg

[docvteg]

Even though you can still see brake material, but since you hear squeeking, it could be the inner pads that are worn.

[DaLurker]

Even though you can still see brake material, but since you hear squeeking, it could be the inner pads that are worn.

O good point can't see the back plate. Why is it that the back plate wears faster than the front plate anyways (ie the one towards the engine vs. the one facing outwards)?

Also I noticed on my Sebring my right brake pad wears faster than my left but as far as I know, you can't adjust brake bias on disc brakes and certainly not left and right (I know you can front and bake). Is this normal?

[docvteg]

O good point can't see the back plate. Why is it that the back plate wears faster than the front plate anyways (ie the one towards the engine vs. the one facing outwards)?

Also I noticed on my Sebring my right brake pad wears faster than my left but as far as I know, you can't adjust brake bias on disc brakes and certainly not left and right (I know you can front and bake). Is this normal?

Brake pads may not wear out evenly between the inner and outer pads as the caliper pistons are only on one side, at least for most stock cars. The piston is pushing directly to the inner pad. Sometimes the inner pads don't wear out perfectly flat and wear out at an angle that may cause the earlier squeeking of the wear tab.

Also, the reason why brakes from left and right wearing at different rates may be due to a slightly seized caliper on one side.

[Focus]

depend's on car but the best way is to take the caliper out.

[baggio4eva]

Well there are two things to consider here:

1. The honesty of your mechanic. (although if you do hear squeaking, and feel pedal vibration, then something could be wrong)

2. The health of your car. I mean 26k, and you're already requiring new brakes and rotors? Most cars don't need new brakes until 60k, and new rotors until the brake change after that.

It seems very odd that you're having to do this maintenance already, so you might want to ask your mechanic how this could be. My only explanation could be that one of your rotors is warped, or he's trying to jack you for a few bucks.

Later:D

[kcorscadden]

So we have a 2003 Honda Accord and only 26,000 km.

My immediate reaction is that this car has sat A LOT? I mean a 3-4 yr old car with that many kms just isn't right unless it sat for awhile.

So if the car sat and wasn't driven, weather (moisture) probably rusted out the rotors and brakes.

I say this because my grandfather had a 1998 Ford Taurus and I received the car in 2003 and it only had like 30,000 km on her. The car sat for long periods of time and when I received it, I had to have the rotors and brakes replaced because the moisture had rotted them out.

That sounds like the issue here too.

[sunnybono]

Well there are two things to consider here:

1. The honesty of your mechanic. (although if you do hear squeaking, and feel pedal vibration, then something could be wrong)

2. The health of your car. I mean 26k, and you're already requiring new brakes and rotors? Most cars don't need new brakes until 60k, and new rotors until the brake change after that.

It seems very odd that you're having to do this maintenance already, so you might want to ask your mechanic how this could be. My only explanation could be that one of your rotors is warped, or he's trying to jack you for a few bucks.

Later:D


good points here:arrowu: :arrowu: , however the only other explaination is that you're brakes may be partially seized and thus as you let go of the brake pedal, your pads are not releasing away from the disc's. That is why its crucial to have your brakes serviced atleast once a year. I own a civic and had an accord b4, and have never changed the front pads less than 70,000 km's.

sk

[masterballer]

There IS a way to check brake pad wear WITHOUT looking at the pad itself.

Look at the engine bay and the Brake Fluid, if its low then that means its time for a new pad.

Here is why: Its a hydrolic system, so if the pad starts to wear out it will get tinner which means more brake fluid is needed to make the pad meet the rotor, making the level lower.

Next time you change your pads put a mark on the top of the fluid line, as a reference to what a "new" pad looks like correlated to the fluid levels.

PS. there is no need to top up brake fluid because if its low and you fill it up to the top, when you get new pads the fluid will rise and it will over flow.

[porsche118]

There IS a way to check brake pad wear WITHOUT looking at the pad itself.

Look at the engine bay and the Brake Fluid, if its low then that means its time for a new pad.

Here is why: Its a hydrolic system, so if the pad starts to wear out it will get tinner which means more brake fluid is needed to make the pad meet the rotor, making the level lower.

Next time you change your pads put a mark on the top of the fluid line, as a reference to what a "new" pad looks like correlated to the fluid levels.

PS. there is no need to top up brake fluid because if its low and you fill it up to the top, when you get new pads the fluid will rise and it will over flow.


i agree with that
and also the inner pad's wear out faster because usually the pistons push on the inner ones before it fully clamps onto the rotor.

[satisfcuktion]

There IS a way to check brake pad wear WITHOUT looking at the pad itself.

Look at the engine bay and the Brake Fluid, if its low then that means its time for a new pad.

Here is why: Its a hydrolic system, so if the pad starts to wear out it will get tinner which means more brake fluid is needed to make the pad meet the rotor, making the level lower.

Next time you change your pads put a mark on the top of the fluid line, as a reference to what a "new" pad looks like correlated to the fluid levels.

PS. there is no need to top up brake fluid because if its low and you fill it up to the top, when you get new pads the fluid will rise and it will over flow.

oooo. Very smart way of checking!

[TrevorK]

There IS a way to check brake pad wear WITHOUT looking at the pad itself.

Look at the engine bay and the Brake Fluid, if its low then that means its time for a new pad.

Here is why: Its a hydrolic system, so if the pad starts to wear out it will get tinner which means more brake fluid is needed to make the pad meet the rotor, making the level lower.

Next time you change your pads put a mark on the top of the fluid line, as a reference to what a "new" pad looks like correlated to the fluid levels.

PS. there is no need to top up brake fluid because if its low and you fill it up to the top, when you get new pads the fluid will rise and it will over flow.

The only problem I see is that, how do you know how low the fluid has to go until your brake pads are wore enough to change? As well, how do you know whether you need to change the front or back pads?

I see the logic behind it, and it makes sense. But you would also need some sort of reference mark for "low brake pad life" on the fluid resevoir.

[BartBandy]

So we have a 2003 Honda Accord and only 26,000 km.

My immediate reaction is that this car has sat A LOT? I mean a 3-4 yr old car with that many kms just isn't right unless it sat for awhile.

So if the car sat and wasn't driven, weather (moisture) probably rusted out the rotors and brakes.

Exactly.

Let rust build up on the rotors, and your rotors will pit and become abrasive, and your brakes can easily be done in 20K.

Cars that are driven and are properly maintained are often better used car buys than similar-aged vehicles that have sat.

[masterballer]

The only problem I see is that, how do you know how low the fluid has to go until your brake pads are wore enough to change? As well, how do you know whether you need to change the front or back pads?

I see the logic behind it, and it makes sense. But you would also need some sort of reference mark for "low brake pad life" on the fluid resevoir.

well yea i did mention that you need to put a mark for FULL and gauge from there on, so after a new set you should do that.

[DragonZealot]

There IS a way to check brake pad wear WITHOUT looking at the pad itself.

Look at the engine bay and the Brake Fluid, if its low then that means its time for a new pad.



Not the best way to check pad wear IMO. How much low is low?

If the pads are worn out unevenly you could have a slightly lower level but one of the pads may be metal meeting metal.

Best way is still a visual inspection of all pads.