When do I need to replace my brake pads? I had my brakes checked the back had 5 mm and front 2 mm.?

Question

I have a 2004 Ford Focus.

Answer 1

2mm on the front is not a lot left. The back linings at 5mm could go a distance. Front brakes on these particular cars do wear out relatively quickly for some reason.

Answer 2

The front brakes on a Ford Focus doesn't have the low pad indicator that many cars do. Therefore, you will not be able to wait for the warning before replacing them, you will be looking at hearing a grinding noise.

The rear shoes should be fine at least until the next brake job. The front pads need to be replaced. They are not going to blow up into little pieces, what imagination some people have. You will probably need to replace the brake rotors when you replace the pads because for some reason, they have a terrible habit of wearing below the discard specifications prematurely.

If you are doing the work yourself, make sure to clean the hub where the rotor sits with a sanding disc, clean the mounts where the pads ride with a wire brush and lube all the contact points with STA-LUBE from Napa. Do one side at a time so that you can make sure the wire clip is installed correctly.

Answer 3

There are minimum specs for every make of car, but definitely 2 mm is too little. Replace those at least. The rear with 5mm are ok.
remember as general rule the front pads last half of the miles of rear ones.

Answer 4

Brakes are equiped with a scraper type noise maker that tells you they need to be replaced. Either way with the measurements you spoke of they are due now. Don`t keep driving it or you will tear up the rotors and or drums.

Answer 5

Now, immediately. So thin they could bust apart, then do severe damage to your drums and rotors from metal to metal grinding.

Answer 6

the front ones should have squeelers on them and the back ,it depends wheather they are bonded or riveted.