When do you know you need to change your brake pads?

Question

I have a 97 Honda Civic EX coupe.

Should I go by certain mileage as in every 50K miles or whatever? Or should I physically go look at the pads? If so, how thin is too thin? But I remember couple times the mechanic took the pads out it still look pretty thick to me (~.25" if I remembered right) it definitely had some to go until it hits the base material. So how do I tell when I should change my brake pads?

Also, if i do change anyone of them I should change all 4 right?

Thanks!

Would waiting until the squeeler make sound damage anything?

Answer 1

You can't go by mileage because every driver is different and many people have more stop and go driving which wears the pads faster.
Best way is to look at pads during tire rotation. With the wheels off the pads can be easily checked for uneven wear to determine if they need replacing. That is how I caught an early problem and prevented damage to a rotor. One side had worn much faster than the other due to a slight flaw in the pad.

Some pads have a device that make a high pitched squeal when they are getting close to needing replacement. If you wait till you hear metal grinding on metal you have waited too long and will most likely need to replace the rotors as well. Big expense!!

If you don't rotate your own tires every 6000 miles ask the shop people who do it for you to check it at tire rotation. That will give you piece of mind and save you a lot of money.
Usually the front will wear out first so you need only change BOTH front ones at the same time.

Always change the pads on left and right of the same axle, front or rear. ON a car I drove for 180,000 miles I changed the front pads almost twice as many times as the rear....

Answer 2

De Bossy answered your immediate question. I just thought I'd mention the mechanic part of your description.

Almost every mechanic I have ever gone to for whatever reason (im usually a DIY and always DIY with brakes) has checked my brakes and said the brakes need to be replaced. I have a funny feeling I know why!

Once, I went to my mechanic I USED to trust to get my radiator flushed. He said I needed to get the brakes replaced in the front where I had disc in the front and drum in the rear.
I laughed and asked if the place was "under new management." He said, "yeah, can you tell?"
I went on to show him the brand new box I put my old brakes into. The receipt was still there so I could return the old ones to the auto parts place. It proved I had done it that previous weekend.

Here's the point. If you can, just check your own brakes. If they are even somewhat worn, like say only a fourth used, the shop will probably tell you to replace.

Answer 3

physically inspect them, milage is a guide, not a hard and fast rule. check them every 6-8 months visually. you need not remove any wheels, if you can see from under the car side. just turn your wheels to check the front. you may have to remove the back tires if you have drums.
change front pads whenever they get under 1/8 " of pad left. that'll be about 40-50k. the rear should also be changed when they have under 1/8".
if you have front and rear pads, use the pads as above. but if you have drum brakes on the rear, they wear much slower and the shoes should be changed no later than 60k.
timewise, pads last about 12-18 months, shoes about twice that. so basically, you'll change pads twice and shoes once in about 24-36 months, depending on your braking habits. if you have an automatic, you'll change pads early. if you have a stick shift, you use the engine to slow more than the brakes and the brakes can last longer, but just remember not to ride the clutch or push the clutch in when braking. don't push in the clutch until you are nearly stopped. it saves the clutch and pressure plate, and reduces wearing them out.
also, when coming to a stop, use light braking, over a longer distance. short braking causes uneven wear on both shoes and pads, resulting in jerking as you come to a stop. to get rid of the jerking you have to have the drums and rotors turned to even them out again.

Answer 4

Just look at your whole car...

Look at the brake pads, or if you hear them squeek then check them out. WHen you get the time. The car WILL stop even if it's bare metal. Been there done that. Drove*>? an 86 volvo for a month on bare metal. So, lol. Check it as often as you check your suspension, and battery charge, belts etc. Usually when one is worng, several more comes up. Bad belt? Don't know it, sooner or later your battries not getting FULLY charged for a month or two, and you break down because of broken belt and bad battery. Same with brakes. Pad is ALL the sudden worn, sooner or later your rotor will warp, get that turned. Trust me you'll know.


To answer your question, if normal economy, usually every year need to check it.

Answer 5

Most brake systems have wear indicators on the pads. When they wear down they start making a squeaky noise. There are some gas stations and brake repair shops that offer free brake inspections like Midas.
Finally, if you do change them, change them all at once and have the rotors checked for runout or warping.

Answer 6

On disk brakes, there are rivets that will make a loud squeeling noise when you apply the brakes if the pads need to be replaced. All 4 wouldn't have to be replaced, but it would be a good idea, and the two on the front would have to be replaced at once.

Answer 7

WHEN YOU START TO HEAR A NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SCRAPEING SOUND WHEN YOU APPLY THE BREAKS AND IT IS EASY TO CHECK THE BREAKS REMOVE THE WHEELE AND LOOK UNDER THE ROTOR ARE PRIE THE BREAK PAD AWAY FROM THE ROTOR AND YOU CAN SEE IF THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED OR IF YOU DONT WANT TO MESS WITH IT TAKE IT TO A PEPBOYS SHOP AND THEY WILL CHECK IT FOR YOU FOR FREE THEY OFFER A FREE BREAK INSPECTION AND SO DO SOME OF THE OTHER SHOPS TOO OK HOPE THIS HELPS.......

Answer 8

the two A. u chewed up the disks because of the fact u took too long to alter the previous brake pads and it desires replace disks. b. u didnt bleed the brake fluid. bleed them by skill of disconnecting the ruin line and pumping the brake very not basic for a great 5 to 10 secs. c. u didnt appropriate connect the brakeline yet i dont think of thats the case... yet whilst that's ur nonetheless leaking the ruin fluid... additionally verify u have sufficient brake fluid to start with

Answer 9

pads are a lot cheaper than rotors, what u been told is pretty safe, front brakes do a lot more work than back but have them all checked at one time because its cheaper to know earlier than too late also more expensive

Answer 10

No. 1, when your mechanic services your vehicle, they should check your brakes. No. 2, if they are worn out they usually start to squeak (they put metal in for this purpose)