Ok so people say when your brake pads are worn out, they will squeal. However, on tons of cars I've seen, the brakes squeal a bit even after you get new brake pads. So I hear sometimes it depends on the brand of brake pad. So how do you tell after a while if its because the brake pad is worn out or if its just cause of the brand?

Also, how do you tell when its time to get new rotors?

 

from what i know, the cheaper the less life they have. When they are worn, they usually squeel. If u get to the point theres no pad left, you'll hear the metal scrapijgn which is not good.

With Rotors, it depends on how thick it still is....

 

Actually, the cheap "lifetime guarantee" pads are super hard and usually wear out your rotors too.

 

rotors usullay begin to warp when they get too thin

you feel a lurching when steadily applying the brake

 

The squealer cannot be relied upon. It's only a backup. Only one end of one pad will squeal if worn down far enough - in many cases the pads wear unevenly and you'll be in trouble.

Pull the wheel and peek in the back where the caliper has an opening. If you have a big head like me it helps to use a peek mirror. By that point I usually loosen the slider bolts and tilt the caliper back for a complete look anyway.

Dave

 

i hear this is from braking and turning at the same time is this true? If not what should i be aware of that does make break pads wear unevenly?

 

sticky calipers is one possibility...

 

Best way to find out is to yank your wheels and look at the pads. Takes 5 minutes.

You need new rotors if your car vibrates while braking, specifically relative to the speed of the car (quicker and more drastic vibrations at higher speeds, slowing as the car slows).

 

you can visually inspect the pads by noticing the distance that the pads are from the rotors less distance is worn down more distance less worn

 

if u press the brake pedal and the car speeds up Ur in trouble......

or ur feet are too big....... another

 

if there is no more brake pad left...lol

 

if u press the brakes and Ur car tells U to stop.....

 

for me it's never been anything more complicated than a) you hit the brakes and can tell that the performance is significantly decreased, or b) there are vibrations when braking (as someone said), or c) squealing when braking, or any combination of the 3. just don't wait too long, one of my friends waited so long to get new pads that his calipers were eventually grinding on the rotor and melting up and back... this called for new front rotors, calipers, pads, etc...

 

had to laugh at the big head thing. but yeah if you look at the slot opening in the caliper you can see how much pad is left.

 

It's simple, just take your wheel off and you should be able to see how much pad is left while it is still in the caliper. Very easy....

 

Better yet leave those wheels on (especially the SE) get a mirror and a bright flashlight and look thru that square like opening on top of your calipers. It's an inspection window for checking your pad thickness, I normally run mine down to 3/32-1/8" thickness!

 

unless u bought some really really cheap pads they should have wear indicators when u hear an annoying squel from the brakes and u are not pressing the pedal it is time for them to be changed, its that simple really