Brake pad longevity?

[slaughterj]

Brake pads have the middle groove so one can gauge the amount of wear on them, and I have a little bit of a groove left in my front EBC Green pads after ~28k, but I was wondering exactly when they would be toast, especially in light of one of our club members running all the way down to the metal at VIR last weekend. It seems there must be some life left in them once the groove is gone?

 

[Ulysses]

Looks like it's time to change them out.

 

[Viperzilla]

Longer than six months, that's how long one woman's pad lasted. I heard the phone call on Car Talk on NPR.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Your down into the area were the glue is used to hold the pad onto the metal. You would not have the same pad material consistency that low. You must be a starving lawyer who can't afford another $50 bucks for a new set of pads. Just make a couple of calls ($25 a call) to some clients and add it to there bill. They will never now the difference. I have a box full of wore out of front pads with a grove left. I'll throw them in the trailer and next time I see you you'll be all set for 100K miles.

 

[slaughterj]

Your down into the area were the glue is used to hold the pad onto the metal. You would not have the same pad material consistency that low. You must be a starving lawyer who can't afford another $50 bucks for a new set of pads. Just make a couple of calls ($25 a call) to some clients and add it to there bill. They will never now the difference. I have a box full of wore out of front pads with a grove left. I'll throw them in the trailer and next time I see you you'll be all set for 100K miles.

LOL! I already have new fronts ready to go Just wondering since once the groove is gone, there's a lot more material before you'd get to the metal (like half the pad!), seems odd the pad would be dead then, when it could be run to the metal at ViperDays

As a side note, does a brake bleed itself make for better braking?

 

[Janni]

John,
Once the slot is gone, you are into the binding material and the life of the pad is not linear at that point - you'll blow through that last "25%' of pad thickness in short order - especially if they get hot. That's probably why folks get all the way metal to metal - they think the rate of wear will be the same, and then find out a run session = 25%!

A brake bleed will improve braking if you have any air in the lines, but that's about it.

 

[99 R/T 10]

Oh dam John,
Don't listen to these people! Wait until you start to hear the "grinding". That is the time to change them out

 

[slaughterj]

John,
Once the slot is gone, you are into the binding material and the life of the pad is not linear at that point - you'll blow through that last "25%' of pad thickness in short order - especially if they get hot. That's probably why folks get all the way metal to metal - they think the rate of wear will be the same, and then find out a run session = 25%!

A brake bleed will improve braking if you have any air in the lines, but that's about it.

I was figuring there must be a turning point if Azevedo was able to burn through tech-acceptable pads down to the metal Guess those front will be changing soon, ~28k on EBC Greens with groove left is pretty good I think

 

[slaughterj]

Oh dam John,
Don't listen to these people! Wait until you start to hear the "grinding". That is the time to change them out

Yeah, isn't that why they say "Put the pedal to the metal!"?

 

[NCVCA]

Look. I'm the undisputed king of brake pad consumption and it goes a little sumptin like this...

Since we haven't seen your skinny butt on the track in uh well FOREVER, why don't you just go ahead and replace them and you won't have to worry about it for another YEAR or so!!!

And as for John A... He has that huge brain and all to haul around - all that extra weight in the car wears pads out faster!!!

Kidding all the way around of course. But seriously, no need to push pad life on a street car. They could go out on a trip or a panic stop as you avoid a dead animal in the road. OH, thats right you don't avoid dead animals in the road. Anyway (kidding again). Just replace dem bad boyz!

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

It's my understanding that the groove is meant for clearing the dust as it builds up and probably helps cooling somewhat. 28K on EBC Greens? Change them.

 

[slaughterj]

Look. I'm the undisputed king of brake pad consumption and it goes a little sumptin like this...

Since we haven't seen your skinny butt on the track in uh well FOREVER, why don't you just go ahead and replace them and you won't have to worry about it for another YEAR or so!!!

And as for John A... He has that huge brain and all to haul around - all that extra weight in the car wears pads out faster!!!

Kidding all the way around of course. But seriously, no need to push pad life on a street car. They could go out on a trip or a panic stop as you avoid a dead animal in the road. OH, thats right you don't avoid dead animals in the road. Anyway (kidding again). Just replace dem bad boyz!

LOL, you're on a roll today You see why my brake pads last so long, that's because I don't stop!

 

[slaughterj]

It's my understanding that the groove is meant for clearing the dust as it builds up and probably helps cooling somewhat. 28K on EBC Greens? Change them.

Hadn't heard that before, just that it was what to watch for regarding wear...