Question about stock TJ brake pads

Claw · 01-22-2004, 10:21 AM

I still have the original brake pads on my '02 TJ and I want to know how to tell when they need replacing. Is there a minimum thickness I shouldn't go below? Do they chirp or make any other kind of noise to let you know? Are the stock rotors pretty good, or do they need attention too? TIA.

Scootr · 01-22-2004, 10:31 AM

I have an 02 also and have just 25k miles. Mine still have over their life left in them. You could either pull each wheel and look to see how wore down they are or have midas or one of those places do a free brake inspection and you could also see for yourself if they need replaced.

TheAdjuster · 01-22-2004, 10:33 AM

From my personal experiance..

I don't have the rotors turned unless the need it (car shakes or similar)

I don't replace rear brake shoes until almost 100K because they never need it until then (and most of the time at this point they still don't need to be replaced).

Front brake pads get replaced when they need it. You can normally tell by taking the wheel off and looking at the pad thickness. Sometimes the pads wear unevenly and its a good idea to pull the caliper off and pull the pads and look at them off the car. Most pads have a peice of metal at the end that will rub against the rotor when there isnt enough brake material left on the pad also, causing a squeaking noise. If you visually look at the pads this does not happen until something like 1/8 of an inch of pad is left.

Also, if you are going to replace your pads, do yourself a favor and spend the extra $ and get better pads. The $20 ones at your local auto parts store will either eat your rotors, squeal all the time, or last 12K miles.

Claw · 01-22-2004, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAdjuster

Most pads have a peice of metal at the end that will rub against the rotor when there isnt enough brake material left on the pad also, causing a squeaking noise. If you visually look at the pads this does not happen until something like 1/8 of an inch of pad is left.

Thanks for the replies so far. I have 56,000 miles on my original pads, so I'm planning on replacing them soon. I'd still like to know, though, if the factory pads definitely do or do not have the noise/wear indicators just so I know whether or not I've let them go too far. They still work fine, no noises or anything, but I don't want to damage my rotors or anything else. Also, any suggestions on what the best replacement pads are that are commonly available?

czar97 · 01-22-2004, 11:44 AM

Claw,

I agree completely with "The Adjuster".

In Addition:
Good rule to go by is that if the pad thickness is getting anywhere near the thickness of the metal that the pad is attached to (pad backing / pad plate)... it's time for new pads.

I got Parts Master Ceramic pads a month ago ($50-$65), and can't see any brake dust at all. That's worth it to me. It is winter and I'm not sure how cold weather affects brake dust, but with the original pads, I know my front wheels would be half black by now. Very happy.

HTH

-Matt

NCjeeps · 01-22-2004, 01:10 PM

NO! Your stock pads do NOT have wear indicators. I learned this the hard way and have new rotors to prove it. HOWEVER, it is bad practice to wait for the wear indicators anyway, b/c as stated before, brake pads often wear unevenly. Since 99% of pads with wear indicators only have them on one side, you might still wear the other too thin. But, then again, rotors are relatively inexpensive.

Claw · 01-22-2004, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCjeeps

NO! Your stock pads do NOT have wear indicators. I learned this the hard way and have new rotors to prove it. HOWEVER, it is bad practice to wait for the wear indicators anyway, b/c as stated before, brake pads often wear unevenly. Since 99% of pads with wear indicators only have them on one side, you might still wear the other too thin. But, then again, rotors are relatively inexpensive.

Thanks, NC! That's what I need to know. I had a feeling the stock pads didn't have wear indicators.

thelonerangerr · 03-26-2004, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAdjuster

Also, if you are going to replace your pads, do yourself a favor and spend the extra $ and get better pads. The $20 ones at your local auto parts store will either eat your rotors, squeal all the time, or last 12K miles.

My stock pads squeal since I got it off the lot and it's driving me nuts. Can you or anyone else recommend a brand/model of brake pads that can help me out? The dealership only applied that "brake squeak" stuff and now my parking brake doesn't work(at least they don't squeak, though!). I'd rather not have it on my brakes at all in fear that I'm only stopping with two tires.

I've already blown the stock speakers trying to drown out the noise.

01-22-2004, 11:44 AM	#5
czar97 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 218 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Claw, I agree completely with "The Adjuster". In Addition: Good rule to go by is that if the pad thickness is getting anywhere near the thickness of the metal that the pad is attached to (pad backing / pad plate)... it's time for new pads. I got Parts Master Ceramic pads a month ago ($50-$65), and can't see any brake dust at all. That's worth it to me. It is winter and I'm not sure how cold weather affects brake dust, but with the original pads, I know my front wheels would be half black by now. Very happy. HTH -Matt __________________ 2003 TJ Sport 4L, 5 spd. manual 3.73 gears four wheel disc 32 x 11.50 Cooper Discoverer STT 2" RE Budget Boost, Spidertrax Wheel Spacers

01-22-2004, 01:10 PM	#6
NCjeeps Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 214 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	NO! Your stock pads do NOT have wear indicators. I learned this the hard way and have new rotors to prove it. HOWEVER, it is bad practice to wait for the wear indicators anyway, b/c as stated before, brake pads often wear unevenly. Since 99% of pads with wear indicators only have them on one side, you might still wear the other too thin. But, then again, rotors are relatively inexpensive. __________________ Andy '99 Flame Red Wrangler Sport - "Ol' Red" Banks header, RE 2" BB, JKS Discos, 32x11.5 Mickey Thompson Baja Radial MTXs, 15x8 AR767, LOD Swing-out, busted knuckes, etc.

01-22-2004, 10:33 AM	#3
TheAdjuster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 96 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	From my personal experiance.. I don't have the rotors turned unless the need it (car shakes or similar) I don't replace rear brake shoes until almost 100K because they never need it until then (and most of the time at this point they still don't need to be replaced). Front brake pads get replaced when they need it. You can normally tell by taking the wheel off and looking at the pad thickness. Sometimes the pads wear unevenly and its a good idea to pull the caliper off and pull the pads and look at them off the car. Most pads have a peice of metal at the end that will rub against the rotor when there isnt enough brake material left on the pad also, causing a squeaking noise. If you visually look at the pads this does not happen until something like 1/8 of an inch of pad is left. Also, if you are going to replace your pads, do yourself a favor and spend the extra $ and get better pads. The $20 ones at your local auto parts store will either eat your rotors, squeal all the time, or last 12K miles.