How do I tell if I need to change my brake pads?

dojk · 03-14-2015, 01:51 AM

to me the pads looks like it still has loads of pad material left before it hits the metal backing, but i have had two workshops that they are already running thin and replacements should be sourced soon.

What is the correct way to identify pad life?

_Ryan_ · 03-14-2015, 03:06 AM

I order pads at around 50%, swap at 20% or so depending on circumstance.

kirkbar · 03-14-2015, 07:58 AM

If they get too low, a sensor will detect it and you will get a message/icon on the dash.

tracer bullet · 03-14-2015, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dojk

to me the pads looks like it still has loads of pad material left before it hits the metal backing

As long as you're looking at the right thing, it sounds like you're fine.

dojk · 03-16-2015, 01:07 AM

Or is that groove line in the pad material the wear indicator?

Ginger_Extract · 03-17-2015, 05:56 PM

measure the friction material. pull the wheel off and visually inspect the pad. if there is 3mm or less of actual friction material, you do not count the backing plate, it's time to replace. most race tracks, for example, would fail the car for tech inspection if there is less than 5mm of pad material remaining.

dojk · 03-18-2015, 08:10 PM

Thanks.

daflamme · 03-21-2015, 11:00 AM

Does anyone knows at which pad thickness the light turns on in the dash?

dojk · 03-24-2015, 10:39 PM

i think that is when the groove line is gone.

NorthernDancer · 03-28-2015, 09:48 PM

I have the Lisle 81850 brake lining guage.

http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-81850-Co...ake+wear+gauge

Jim621 · 03-29-2015, 01:00 AM

+1 for less than 3mm pad material.
less than 3mm you will notice reduced temperature tolerance (probably not an issue unless you track your car).
Also, if one pad is at 3mm, chances are one of the other pads is 2mm or less.

Brakes are not thing place you want to save money on, so replace them ASAP at 3mm.

03-14-2015, 01:51 AM	#1
dojk Private First Class 19 Rep 179 Posts Drives: E82 135i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	How do I tell if I need to change my brake pads? to me the pads looks like it still has loads of pad material left before it hits the metal backing, but i have had two workshops that they are already running thin and replacements should be sourced soon. What is the correct way to identify pad life?
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03-14-2015, 03:06 AM	#2
_Ryan_ Captain 59 Rep 741 Posts Drives: E87 130i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Melbourne, AU iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 BMW 130i [5.24]	I order pads at around 50%, swap at 20% or so depending on circumstance.
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03-14-2015, 07:58 AM	#3
kirkbar Private First Class 22 Rep 196 Posts Drives: 2011 135i DCT Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Collegeville, PA USA iTrader: (4)	If they get too low, a sensor will detect it and you will get a message/icon on the dash. __________________ 2011 135i DCT M/Sport Jet Black Cobb STG2+ \| M3 Suspension Parts \| ERW Charge pipe \| VRSF 7 Intercooler \| Cobb DP \| MFactory LSD w/lockdown \| KW V1 Coilovers \| Apex ARC-8 \| Dinan camber plates \| BMS Intake \| M3 Cluster & steering wheel \| 1M Strut brace
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03-16-2015, 01:07 AM	#5
dojk Private First Class 19 Rep 179 Posts Drives: E82 135i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	Or is that groove line in the pad material the wear indicator?
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03-17-2015, 05:56 PM	#6
Ginger_Extract California-bound 385 Rep 1,480 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (3)	measure the friction material. pull the wheel off and visually inspect the pad. if there is 3mm or less of actual friction material, you do not count the backing plate, it's time to replace. most race tracks, for example, would fail the car for tech inspection if there is less than 5mm of pad material remaining. __________________ Streets of Willow: 1:27.7 CW 11/15/15; 1:29.5 CCW 8/15/15 \|\|\|\| Autoclub Speedway ROVAL (CCW): 1.52.6 - 12/2/17 Willow Springs - Big Willow (CW): 1:35.8 - 3/31/18 \|\|\|\| Buttonwillow #13 (CW): 1:59.3 1/27/18 https://www.facebook.com/JakeStumphRacing \|\|\|\| http://www.youtube.com/user/RaceMeMZ3
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03-18-2015, 08:10 PM	#7
dojk Private First Class 19 Rep 179 Posts Drives: E82 135i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	Thanks.
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03-21-2015, 11:00 AM	#8
daflamme Private First Class 10 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 2011 135i MT Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Quebec, Canada iTrader: (0)	Does anyone knows at which pad thickness the light turns on in the dash?
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03-24-2015, 10:39 PM	#9
dojk Private First Class 19 Rep 179 Posts Drives: E82 135i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	i think that is when the groove line is gone.
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03-28-2015, 09:48 PM	#10
NorthernDancer Colonel 848 Rep 2,276 Posts Drives: 08 Sedona 128 & 06 330xiT 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa On Canada iTrader: (3)	I have the Lisle 81850 brake lining guage. http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-81850-Co...ake+wear+gauge
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03-29-2015, 01:00 AM	#11
Jim621 Private First Class 25 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	+1 for less than 3mm pad material. less than 3mm you will notice reduced temperature tolerance (probably not an issue unless you track your car). Also, if one pad is at 3mm, chances are one of the other pads is 2mm or less. Brakes are not thing place you want to save money on, so replace them ASAP at 3mm.
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