how do i know i need brake pads?

[jet_fumes_junkie]

other than going to a shop and have them tell me "of course you need them, sir , they are all worn, you don't want to skimp on safety!"

got a 96, discs all around.

had it for 1.5 yrs now, had it inspected just after i got it and was told there's plenty of life in them.

whatever gradual lessening of the braking efficiency over the 1.5 yrs is impossible to tell since i drive it every day, so i cannot tell if i am using 'too much pressure' for a given amount of braking.

there is no squeal, or any other noise.

my ABS light came on recently, and the manual says that it may indicate problem with brakes themselves.

should i just wait until the red brake idiot light comes on?

is there some way to measure the pads without taking the wheel off?

if so, how thick should they be?

thanks

[camaromaniac]

if there is no squeal, you prolly dont need some. new pads are about half in. thick.

if there is no squeal, you prolly dont need some. new pads are about half in. thick.

[97cavalier]

Originally Posted by jet_fumes_junkie

other than going to a shop and have them tell me "of course you need them, sir , they are all worn, you don't want to skimp on safety!"

got a 96, discs all around.

had it for 1.5 yrs now, had it inspected just after i got it and was told there's plenty of life in them.

whatever gradual lessening of the braking efficiency over the 1.5 yrs is impossible to tell since i drive it every day, so i cannot tell if i am using 'too much pressure' for a given amount of braking.

there is no squeal, or any other noise.

my ABS light came on recently, and the manual says that it may indicate problem with brakes themselves.

should i just wait until the red brake idiot light comes on?

is there some way to measure the pads without taking the wheel off?

if so, how thick should they be?

thanks

Take caliper off and look at them. abs light might be a wheel sencer. you can't really tell unless you take the wheel off.

[SG007]

well you can take them to get looked at or wait until you hit something....either way you'll definitly know.

[Rally Sport]

Or you can just replace em to be sure.

[666_speed]

i agree....if its to the point where you think you need them you probably do...its not that much to change them and get the life time warranty on the brakes.

[Genopsyde]

if they're not making any noise, and you can still stop fine, then they don't need replaced.

[wrightz28]

The ABS light is on to indicate there is a problem in the wheel sensing circuit/pressure application and the ABS controller cannot function correctly thus disableing the anti lock system.

The red BRAKE light will come on in the event of a malfunction of the standard hydraulic braking system and the loss of stopping ability all together.

Pad wear detection is the same as it has been for decades, the WEAR INDICATORS on the pads will squeal when the brakes are not applied and disapate when they are. If ignored, the squeal will go away, after the indicator has been grond down to nothing and a nice trench dug into the rotor(S).

Of course nothing is more definate than a visual inspection.

Oh, choosing to wait until the red brake light comes on, don't do it around my area bud