Worn brakes

FluffySheep · 20 Mar 2009 at 18:56

Before anyone says it, my brakes are still good (just) but I know they are wearing down, so Im asking does anybody know how much should be left on a set of pads before they get replaced?

The car is an 03 plate s40 if it makes any difference.

Ta
Fluffy

L0rdMike · 20 Mar 2009 at 18:57

When my pads get low the handbrake light comes on as the fluid has to go further and makes it think its low.

Berger · 20 Mar 2009 at 19:23

I would expect them to have pad wear indicators, but under 1.5mm they should be changed really (but will still work beyond this point).

FluffySheep · 21 Mar 2009 at 18:34

L0rdMike said:
When my pads get low the handbrake light comes on as the fluid has to go further and makes it think its low.

IIRC volvos have drums on the back for handbrake and discs all round for the footbrake, so I can't use this system!

1.5mm is the current call. Time to go to my parents nice flat drive and jack up the car and have a look...unless someone else has something to add?

Fluffy

GeX · 21 Mar 2009 at 18:36

L0rdMike said:
When my pads get low the handbrake light comes on as the fluid has to go further and makes it think its low.

are you sure, i reckon its a wear indicator in the pad.

Gaygle · 21 Mar 2009 at 18:40

GeX said:
are you sure, i reckon its a wear indicator in the pad.

It does it on mine as well and mine doesn't have that technology.

It's simply because the piston is further out than when the brake fluid was filled.

GeX · 21 Mar 2009 at 18:43

yeah i can see how it would work, but it just sounds like a rubbish way of doing it. more of an accidental thing than a proper wear indicator. the technology to use a proper wear indicator is hardly flash !

Lopéz · 21 Mar 2009 at 18:49

FluffySheep said:
IIRC volvos have drums on the back for handbrake and discs all round for the footbrake, so I can't use this system!

Regardless, I would change pads way before 1.5mm myself. Assuming I noticed they were that worn

Did them on the Manta this morning, they were at about 2-3mm and starting to get juddery already.

FluffySheep · 21 Mar 2009 at 19:36

Lopéz said:
Regardless, I would change pads way before 1.5mm myself. Assuming I noticed they were that worn Did them on the Manta this morning, they were at about 2-3mm and starting to get juddery already.

Right, that's my Easter project. Hmm - do I buy the parts and fit them myself or get a local garage to do it knowing they can get the parts cheaper than I can and they work for good prices (if you know what I mean

)

Fluffy

Gaygle · 21 Mar 2009 at 19:48

GeX said:
yeah i can see how it would work, but it just sounds like a rubbish way of doing it. more of an accidental thing than a proper wear indicator. the technology to use a proper wear indicator is hardly flash !

lol it is a very rubbish way of doing it, but it works!

Na, i usually give a quick look at your brakes every now any then just to check they're ok.

InvaderGIR · 21 Mar 2009 at 19:49

Ideally, more than the ones on the left...

That was my fronts. About 1.5mm on one pad, about 0.5 on the other.

Trying to sort the discs and pads this weekend, but did the pads on the front as that was unbelievable, it passed an MOT with no mention of the brakes!