how do I know whether I should change the brake pad

[smartie]

How did I know it or just change it say every 5000KM?

[tyfriend]

How did I know it or just change it say every 5000KM?

lol, every 5000km


i thought you were a smartie,

read the manual !

[Mattones]

I gotta change my 16 spark plugs every 30,000kms :(

[MS MSP]

How did I know it or just change it say every 5000KM?

try 50,000 km or when they start to squeal.

[fastlayne]

How did I know it or just change it say every 5000KM?

You don't mention the type of vehicle you drive or how you drive, so maybe you could blow through a set of pads in 5000km.;)

The pads on your vehicle may be equipped with audible wear indicators. As the pad wears a piece of metal will begin to contact the rotor and makes a squealing noise.

You should be able to look through the caliper and see the side of both pads. (Depending on wheel style, it may be necessary to remove each wheel.) Note that the pads can wear unevenly and that what may appear to be lots of wear remaining may not be the case across the complete width of the pad. Also the outboard and inboard pads may wear at different rates, so you have to identify the pad with the most wear and change accordingly.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z148/gumball3ooo/BrakeJob014.jpg

If the pad material is thinner than the metal backing plate, then a change is probably due. See pad on left above.

http://www.cartuningcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/change-brake-pads.jpg

On a new pad, as shown above, there may be a groove across the face of the pad. If, when looking from the side of the pad, this groove can still be seen, then the pad still has some life.

But again, always look for uneven wear between pads on each side of the rotor and look for any pad that is wearing on an angle. Obviously the thinnest pad determines when servicing is required.

[Pete_Coach]

While the info from Fastlayne is good info, I suspect you don't know what they are talking about because you asked the question.
For you, the indication of worn pads would be a noise when braking. If your pads are good, you will hear very little noise when braking but, as they wear, the noise gets louder and, at a certain point, it becomes almost a metal to metal sound. Turn off the radio and listen to the sounds when braking. The noise can come from the back or front or both and sometimes, it will come from only one side of the car.
Not all pads have wear indicators and not all techs set them properly when installing those that have them. if you have them and if they are set right, you will start to hear a squealing noise when brakes are applied. The best bet though,is to know what they sound like. A strange sound, at any time, should be investigated.
As for mileage, any time after 30,000 kms, depending on your driving situation and the quality of installed pads, you can be looking at brakes.

[morglum82]

While the info from Fastlayne is good info, I suspect you don't know what they are talking about because you asked the question.
For you, the indication of worn pads would be a noise when braking. If your pads are good, you will hear very little noise when braking but, as they wear, the noise gets louder and, at a certain point, it becomes almost a metal to metal sound. Turn off the radio and listen to the sounds when braking. The noise can come from the back or front or both and sometimes, it will come from only one side of the car.
Not all pads have wear indicators and not all techs set them properly when installing those that have them. if you have them and if they are set right, you will start to hear a squealing noise when brakes are applied. The best bet though,is to know what they sound like. A strange sound, at any time, should be investigated.
As for mileage, any time after 30,000 kms, depending on your driving situation and the quality of installed pads, you can be looking at brakes.

I've always waited for some obvious metal sound when braking before changing the pads.

Last time I went through the whole pad, couldnt even 'block' the wheels anymore when driving and I never heard anything different from the pads.

I guess all I'm trying to say is a visual inspection would be good too.

[l69norm]

How did I know it or just change it say every 5000KM?

If you take your car to a real garage for oil changes (i.e. every 3-6 months), chances are that they will inspect your brakes for wear at every oil change (i.e. every 5,000 km or so) along with giving the rest of the car a once over.

Ask your friends or neighbors for a recommendation of a good mechanic and stick with him.

[Tomy]

I've always waited for some obvious metal sound when braking before changing the pads.

Last time I went through the whole pad, couldnt even 'block' the wheels anymore when driving and I never heard anything different from the pads.

I guess all I'm trying to say is a visual inspection would be good too.

yes, most stock pads come with the brake indicator which squeal like crazy when your pads are done...

but some aftermarket pads don't come with this indicator, thus, even when ur pads are done, it won't make any noise.

As poster above have mentioned, it's best to check it out yourself.
There's are actually TWO pads, one inner and one outer, and a lot of us generally don't know about this and doesn't check the inner pads. The inner pad is harder to visual check without either taking off ur rims or jacking up the car.
But a rule of thumb is, if ur outter pad has a lot of meat left, ur inner pad will be in the similar condition.

REMEMBER, depending on the car, front pads may be used up quicker than the rear by two or three times the rate.

[Tomy]

If you take your car to a real garage for oil changes (i.e. every 3-6 months), chances are that they will inspect your brakes for wear at every oil change (i.e. every 5,000 km or so) along with giving the rest of the car a once over.

Ask your friends or neighbors for a recommendation of a good mechanic and stick with him.

igarage.ca is the way to go :D

he basically taught me a lot of stuff to DIY myself so I could stop bothering him hahaha

[smartie]

My problem is I always drive in downtow,so use brake pad quite often,you know that traffic jam,that is why I am worried. My car's mileage is 30KM

[gamer123]

igarage.ca is the way to go :D

he basically taught me a lot of stuff to DIY myself so I could stop bothering him hahaha

360 auto > igarage :twisted:

[Jucius Maximus]

How did I know it or just change it say every 5000KM?
Do you work for Active Green & Ross?

My car has almost 50K on it now and the brake pads are only 40% worn out.

[executor]

While the info from Fastlayne is good info, I suspect you don't know what they are talking about because you asked the question.
For you, the indication of worn pads would be a noise when braking. If your pads are good, you will hear very little noise when braking but, as they wear, the noise gets louder and, at a certain point, it becomes almost a metal to metal sound. Turn off the radio and listen to the sounds when braking. The noise can come from the back or front or both and sometimes, it will come from only one side of the car.
Not all pads have wear indicators and not all techs set them properly when installing those that have them. if you have them and if they are set right, you will start to hear a squealing noise when brakes are applied. The best bet though,is to know what they sound like. A strange sound, at any time, should be investigated.
As for mileage, any time after 30,000 kms, depending on your driving situation and the quality of installed pads, you can be looking at brakes.

i recently installed pads with the indicator strip down the middle. how the heck can you improperly set them? you press your pad into the holder then put on the caliper. or are you referring to the metal clip that attaches to the pad and will rub the rotor when your pads get down to 1-2mm?

my problem was not putting stuff on the backing of the brake pads so i'm getting a lot of squeal even though the pads are brand new. i'll have to remove my wheel and apply some grease or whatever it is soon.