When to replace brake pads

parabat2 · Post by **parabat2** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:03 am

How thin can I allow a brake pad to become before it should be replaced?

Thanks

Colin Lambert · Post by **Colin Lambert** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 12:50 pm

My Bongo mechanic told me that Bongo Pads should have 'rattlers' in them. When they wear down they make a rattling/ graunching sound. This is to warn theat they are about to expire.(DO NOT CONFUSE with metal to metal when they wear out!!

Bumbly1 · Post by **Bumbly1** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 3:12 pm

parabat2 wrote:How thin can I allow a brake pad to become before it should be replaced?

Thanks

Perhaps it depends how often you inspect them, it also depends how hard you drive! If you inspect them regularly then you can take more chances but it is a gamble I would not recommend.

adam · Post by **adam** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 3:20 pm

the bongo clinic states 3 mm for break pads.
rgds

parabat2 · Post by **parabat2** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 3:29 pm

Ah yes - should have looked there first.

Cheers

Vanmanerik · Post by **Vanmanerik** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 4:06 pm

3 mm min for brake pads or you will end up with break pads. !

parabat2 · Post by **parabat2** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 4:13 pm

Reminds me of a story from a book "Funny Amusing, Funny Amazing"

A driving instructor was in the habit of quoting poems while teaching. Pupil drives around corner and the instructor yells "brake! brake! brake!".
"Even I know that one - 'On thy cold gray stones, O Sea!'" just as they drove into the back of a truck.

adam · Post by **adam** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 5:24 pm

im glad you noticed my intentional mistake vanmanerik 10/10 -to the top of the class you go

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 12:33 am

Er um - the last time I worked on car brakes they were drum brakes. I've never worked on disc brakes at all but I gather they are easier. My quick questions are:

1) How can you check to see if your disc pads are worn / what the state of them is

2) Is it a simple DIY job to change them yourself?

Grateful if anyone can help and/or if there is a fact sheet or thread that can help (just looked and couldnt see one, but it is late!)

Cheers peeps

bj4 · Post by **bj4** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 1:01 am

You can check to see if the pads are worn by jacking the van up and removing the wheel, you should be able to see the pads and how much wear is left in them. The calipers are held on by two bolts, it`s a simple job to remove them and change the pads. Just recently checked my brake pads and replaced the rear ones, the most time consuming part was jacking the van up!
There is also a fact sheet with more details.
Cheers.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 1:16 am

Fantastic bj4 - I'll try that over Christmas. Such is my love for my Bongo!!

Mike

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 3:31 am

i think my bongo pads had the "rattlers" i replaced them, however the replacement pads wouldn,t accept the "anti squeak shim" i just copper greased the backplates thoroughly, didn't work though, they squeal like a banshee when hot now! They work well though.

motorwizard · Post by **motorwizard** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 3:57 am

When I replace my brake pads I push the pistons back with a G clamp I check the fluid reservoir to make sure it does not overflow. If it is too full I use a small shringe that I got with a ink cartridge kit to draw it out.
After fitting pump the pedal to push the pads out but only pump a little not full strokes. Some people are unfortunate and find that the master cylinder fails if they pump hard as the seals move down past the normal operating patch. Check that the brake is not dragging other wise you will wear out the pads. Rotate the disc without the pads to assess the drag of the drive. If you are changing the rear pads why not ckeck the hand brake shoes at the same time?

When to replace brake pads

When to replace brake pads

Re: When to replace brake pads

Brakes

a little tip