When should I change my brake pads

**OTEP** · February 21st, 2012 11:11 AM

Yep because the caliper piston moves to maintain the distance of the pad with the rotor. And when this happens as the pads wear, the fluid tends to stay on the brake lines instead of the reservoir. When you get new pads, you push the piston back and the fluid returns to its reservoir.

**agp** · February 21st, 2012 12:14 PM

Yung sentra ko due na din for brakepad replacement, meron na din ako ng bendix brakepads palitan ko na sana pero nakita ko wala palang shims yung dating brakepads rspec ang brand hindi siguro naibalik nung gumawa o dating may-ari. Nagtanong ako ng shims sa advance pasay meron daw sila set kasama guides etc. hindi pwede shims lang at sabi 900 daw yung set mas mahal pa sa brakepads!

Meron pa kaya makukuhanan ng shims lang o meron kayang surplus nito? Eto yung manipis na stainless sheet na nakapatong sa brakepads dun tumatama yung brake piston, kailangan ata to para di mag-squeal yung brakes.

**Retz** · February 21st, 2012 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by OTEP

Yep because the caliper piston moves to maintain the distance of the pad with the rotor. And when this happens as the pads wear, the fluid tends to stay on the brake lines instead of the reservoir. When you get new pads, you push the piston back and the fluid returns to its reservoir.

I see. So when you hear high pitch sound when engaging your brake pedal or the fluid level from the reservoir lessens or diminishes, it is safe to assume that it is now time to replaced your brake pedal.

**Ry_Tower** · February 21st, 2012 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by Retz

I see. So when you hear high pitch sound when engaging your brake pedal or the fluid level from the reservoir lessens or diminishes, it is safe to assume that it is now time to replaced your brake pedal.

Don't assume, visual checking by a competent mechanic is still best. Delikado yan.

**OTEP** · February 21st, 2012 01:29 PM

It's safe to assume that it's time to check the brakes.

In one of the vehicles I use, the brakes make a high pitch noise but the pads are not worn. I think the rotor and pad just got dirty from off-road use.

So now, we check at least one side at every oil change.

**vinj** · February 23rd, 2012 09:36 AM

Under normal circumstances, you can check and clean your brakes every 10,000kms. If you drive under heavy braking conditions (high speed, mountain roads, heavy automatic vehicle, etc), every service stop, check and clean your brakes.

The pads also have wear indicators which make a consistent high pitch sound whenever you brake once the pad reaches a certain wear point.

**Retz** · March 12th, 2012 09:26 PM

Does frequent hard and sudden braking will greatly wear down your brake pads easily?

**mda** · March 12th, 2012 09:32 PM

Yes.

Also, riding your brakes downhill (even if pressure applied on the pedal is minimal) will wear your brakes.

**jick.cejoco** · March 12th, 2012 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by OTEP

Yep because the caliper piston moves to maintain the distance of the pad with the rotor. And when this happens as the pads wear, the fluid tends to stay on the brake lines instead of the reservoir. When you get new pads, you push the piston back and the fluid returns to its reservoir.

when your pads are worn out, you push the caliper pistons back inside its bore. this process usually dumps the old, moisture laden and contaminated brake fluid back to the master cylinder. my practice is to clamp the brake hose with a hose pincher to prevent the old fluid to return to the master cylinder and open the bleeder screw as i push the piston back to dump the old moisture laden contaminated fluid out. then, when the piston is seated back, close the bleeder screw and remove the hose pincher. this of course requires replenishing the master cylinder with fresh unadulterated brake fluid