Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes How long do brake pads usually last?

MY tour is staring to squeak slightly and I feel that my brakes might need to be assesed to see what kind of condition they are in. I have 50,000 miles on my car and I have no idea when the last brake job, if any, was done. How long due they usually last? Does anyone suggest a good break pad to mimize the break dust build up on the rims?? Thanks so much!

I just had mine changed at about 51,000 miles. I waited WAY to long. I actually threw one of my pads and ruined my front rotors. Cost me $350 to have it repaired. If you have the time do it yourself. I don't think its all that hard. Try the brakes forum for some pad suggestions.
Mike

duh, this is the brake forum
sorry

You need to check the brake lining condition about every 5,000 to 6,000 miles to see how they are wearing. Every time you rotate tires.

Brake wear can vary greatly from one driver to another. I have 108,000 miles on mine with the original front pads and they still a lot of material remaining. Some SVT owners may only get 20,000 miles. Checking them regularly is the only way to keep track of them.

When visually inspecting them, what thickness of the pad material is "too little". I looked at my fron pads and noticed about an 1/8" left.

How does one know it's time to change?

I changed mine at about 47,xxx. The inner right pad was worn down to about 1/64"! When in doubt replace them. I got Reybestos(sp?) pads from Pep Boys for about $25 for the fronts.

Squealing brakes are usually an indicator that the pads are almost gone. The next sound you hear will be a grinding noise, and then.... Ka-Ching, big $$$ repairs. If you can change the pads before they start gringing you'll save a lot of work and $$$s on rotors. My SE gets about 42K on the the front pads, but the rears seem like they would last for 60-70K. (I replace them anyway when I do the fronts...)

i have 84k on the original pads, but have started to noticed an intermittent squeal (i believe from the rears) when the brakes are NOT applied. The squeal stops when i apply the brakes. Based on a visual of the outer pad, it appears that i have plenty of pad left (approx. 1/4"). But then again, i never noticed how thick the pads were when new and don't know how high the rivets protrude.
I guess if Jim is still ok @ 108k, its possible that i have a little left to play with?

Don't guess, pull the wheels and look ocassionally. About every five to six thousand miles when you rotate the tires.

Squeel noises can be a fact of life on todays brakes even when the pads are nearly new, so squeel by itself is not a good indication.

How do you do it..especially the SVT's..I mean drive so gently...I'm halfway through my second set of pads at almost 20k..maybe I just have problems