How do you know when brake pads need replaced BEFORE you ruin the rotors ?

I just got my car inspected and it passed. How do I know when to take it in for new brake pads before it effects the rotors so I dont have to pay for them ?



If I wait 1 year until next inspection, they could get damaged ?How do you know when brake pads need replaced BEFORE you ruin the rotors ?It's pretty easy.



With most brake pads - you will hear them squeaking, because they put little pieces of ferrite in the last 1/4%26quot; or so of pad to let you know that it is time to replace them.



The other option is to loosen the lug nuts, jack the car up, pull the wheel off - and look at the pad. Less than 1/4%26quot; of pad and you should just go ahead and replace them - they are pretty easy to do, just make sure to get the little clips back on correctly. Most people suggest turning the rotors whenever you replace the pads - as long as they are smooth then this isn't really necessary - but it can extend the life of the new pads.How do you know when brake pads need replaced BEFORE you ruin the rotors ?Most brake pads have a metal tab on them called a squealer it rubs on the rotor and makes a noise,when you hear this take it to a shop and get the pads replacedHow do you know when brake pads need replaced BEFORE you ruin the rotors ?There will be a loud pitched noise coming from the brake pads. They are designed this way to let you know they are getting low. When you hear that its time. Also check your rotors often (every 2 weeks or so) and make sure they are smooth and no grooves.How do you know when brake pads need replaced BEFORE you ruin the rotors ?You have to take the wheels off and physically look at them. They should have 2/32nd or more friction surface...Or pad left to be safe. To get an idea of how much is 2/32nds. The distance from the top of Lincolns head to the edge of a penny is exactly 2/32nds. If it's real close to that amount I'd change them. There is a squeal clip that will start to rub on the rotor and make a squeaking noise when it gets at 2/32nds. But I wouldn't always rely on them. They don't always make alot of noise, and could also get bent away from the rotor and not do what they are intended to do.How do you know when brake pads need replaced BEFORE you ruin the rotors ?i had never heard to check your rotors every 2 weeks but brakes go out around 25 to 30 thousand miles. if the squeak its just brake dust and not your rotors. you can also tell your brakes are bad if the pedal starts to vibrateHow do you know when brake pads need replaced BEFORE you ruin the rotors ?Most brakes have a wear indicator that makes a squealing sound when the brakes are used. There is a kind of metallic crunching sound when you start chewing up the rotors. Many shops will take a peek at the brakes free when you get your oil changed.How do you know when brake pads need replaced BEFORE you ruin the rotors ?The little metal tab is called the wear indicator. It will sound terrible when it starts to touch the rotor to let you know that a brake job is needed.How do you know when brake pads need replaced BEFORE you ruin the rotors ?If you can see the brake pad then look at it it should have about 1/4%26quot; of pad before the rotor contacts the steel part of the pad anything less and you don't have long before the rivets start to cut the rotor and damage it. If you can't see the pads take off a tire on the front and look at the pad the front pads will wear the same on both sides. New pads generally last 30,000 miles on the front and double that on the back...Good Luck



PS the penny thing is BS that is how you check tire tread not break pads if you get that close the rivets will already have damaged the rotors.How do you know when brake pads need replaced BEFORE you ruin the rotors ?The brakes start to squeel.