How to determine brake pad wear

[EternityDre]

Hi guys,

Thanks for sharing your knowledge in advance!

Question 1) Is there a way I can check how my pads are doing on my MSE? Or does the car need to be hoisted and the wheels removed in order to check brake pad wear and life expectancy?

At my recent service I was told my MSE's front tyres are toast (after 11k kms with lots of hard driving including on the track). I'm going to get RE003's, a wheel alignment, and get them to add a more aggressive camber / toe-in.

Question 2) Should I get the brakes looked at / possibly pads upgraded before getting the new tyres, camber adjusted, etc? Will doing this in the wrong order mess with the setup, or doesn't matter?

Forgive my newbieness.

Thanks!

 

[vc commodore]

You can check the brake pads yourself, but unfortunately, taking the wheel off is the only way to check them properly.....That way, you can see the inner pad as well. Life expectancy can never be accurately judged.....Generally if you have about 3 MM of pad left, either inner or outer pad,it is time to change, to ensure you don't end up with a metal to metal situation

As for alignment and pad change....Neither effect the other, so how you do it is upto you

 

[greenacc]

Didn't matter what order you do it. Can you see the brake pads on your car without pulling the wheels off? You probably can if you have a good look, and see how much pad thickness is left.

 

[stooge]

the only way you can have a quick look without removing the wheel is to use an inspection camera, something like these below.

https://www.jaycar.com.au/inspection-camera-with-2-4-lcd/p/QC8714

https://www.jaycar.com.au/usb-inspection-camera-flexible-7m/p/QC3374

 

[vc commodore]

Didn't matter what order you do it. Can you see the brake pads on your car without pulling the wheels off? You probably can if you have a good look, and see how much pad thickness is left.

I wouldn't recommend this method.....It is impossible to see the inner pads, without removing the wheels....The outer pads you maybe able to see my this method though

 

[losh1971]

I'm with VC just slip the wheel off, one side at a time using a jack.

 

[greenacc]

Yes it's better to check inner and outer to make sure they are wearing fairly evenly etc etc but first things first does the OP know what to look for if he did take the wheel off? Does he own a trolley jack or would he need to use the dodgy scissor jack...

 

[EternityDre]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I don't have the required tools so I think I will go see a brake specialist to get the car on a hoist and take a proper look. I mainly want peace of mind that the pads will survive the next track day, then I'll be replacing them with better pads so may as well start the relationship now.

Even though the order doesn't matter, think I'm more comfortable getting the brakes checked first, then I'll go to the tyre shop and get them to do their work.

Thoughts on going to my local Bridgestone Select to get the new tyres / alignment / camber adjustment? Or do you recommend going to someone slightly more specialised / reputable? Any suggestions for inner south/east Melbourne, South Yarra - Malvern area.

 

[gossie]

Do you not have a jack and wheel brace with you car to take the wheels off? What if you get s flat tyre?

 

[EternityDre]

Do you not have a jack and wheel brace with you car to take the wheels off? What if you get s flat tyre?

RACV road side assist. My car has a spare so maybe that stuff is in there too? Sorry to say I've never looked, let alone changed a tyre before.