Rear Brake Pad Thickness

[ExpeditionMan]

All,

Is there any way to visually estimate or measure how much material is left on the rear pads without wheel removal? The fronts are easy to spot through a spoke, however the rears seem nearly impossible due to the caliper design/e-brake. Is my only option a feeler gauge after removing a wheel?

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

I always remove my tire and caliper, but I believe you can estimate the thickness by just removing the tire and looking through the "window" on top of the caliper to estimate the remaining thickness. The pads have a channel in them that should be ~3mm at a minimum...anything less and they should be replaced.

 

[ExpeditionMan]

I always remove my tire and caliper, but I believe you can estimate the thickness by just removing the tire and looking through the "window" on top of the caliper to estimate the remaining thickness. The pads have a channel in them that should be ~3mm at a minimum...anything less and they should be replaced.

You're referring to the gap at the center of the two pad sections, correct?

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

You're referring to the gap at the center of the two pad sections, correct?

View attachment 3728919

Correct

 

[ExpeditionMan]

Correct

Not doubting you, but where did you derive the 3mm specification from? Shouldn't the pads have wear indicators (noise) to indicate time to change?

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

Not doubting you, but where did you derive the 3mm specification from? Shouldn't the pads have wear indicators (noise) to indicate time to change?

The OEM pads will have a wear indicator that will make a noise. 3mm is pretty standard as a minimum brake pad thickness.

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

I guess the factory service manual says 1mm, but I would never wait that long.