stupid brake question

[JoeyJigglesGSX]

this is probably an extrememely stupid question, but im bored and was thinking about it today at work...how do you know when you need new brakes? i mean i have tried just looking and cant get a good look at the brake pad...the reason why im asking is because my brakes almost feel like when i push on them its not a soft feel its a real hard rough feel...i dont know just curious, i just dont want to mess up my rotors

 

[DrunkPenguin]

take the wheel off and look at them. you can see how warn down there are. brand new brake pads are pretty thick, 1/2 inch maybe? just compare them to the back brakes since more than likely you don't need rear pads. if they look pretty warn down just repace them. they are pretty inexpensive if you do it yourself.


john

 

[bigemrich]

You can wait until they squeek, but that is waiting a while too long imo. There is a hole on the top of the calipers that you look though, new pads are nice and thick, worn ones are the obvious opposite. Also, if there is grinding, then..yah...time for a replacement, probably rotors too . A spongy pedal could be something in the brake fluid, either dirt or air or something. If the pads are alright, but the problem persists, bleed the brakes.

--Kyle

 

[tommiman]

If you hear a constant high pitch squelling sound coming from the wheels means the pads need replacing. I have seen pads ruin the rotors without making this sound. This only happens with the inner pad wears out faster than the outer pad. (The squelling indicator is on the outer pad.)

 

[JoeyJigglesGSX]

wow...thanks a lot guys for responding...yeah i mean i knew pretty much what to do, but i just dont feel like replacing my rotors because i was just careless...i prob. should bleed my brakes that is prob. the main problem...thanks a lot guys