When to Change Brake Pads, Thickness Minimum and WHY

[@karlfuller6806]

got play in my steering 93 vector sport do a vid for that lol

[@CycloneCyd]

This explains the most likely issue: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXLXfJx7pLd3Y8k and this tells you how to replace the affected part: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWimpoqgg52JgM0 Thanks for watching

[@jims2507]

I've been wondering why to change brakes at 3mm. You're the first person who actually explains why! Thanks!

[@CycloneCyd]

Yeah, a very little known thing, me thinks. One of my ex-uni mates is a subject expert in Chassis Systems!!

[@sholomnb]

I had the same question; why at 3? Thanks and I love listening to the English English!

[@CycloneCyd]

@@sholomnb Yeah, it's not at all obvious and tech manuals never seem to explain it. yet it's so important.

[@GMoney-B]

Such a good video. Got some other work done on my car and they said to change my brakes soon that it was nearly down to the metal but saw it had tons left. Was so confused why they thought or would say that. That makes sense with the area that is bonded near the metal plate.

[@peterhan2785]

Thanks for the free video . My car is a hyundai accent hatchback , whenever i go the dealership to get my winter rubbers on , they always trying to sell me full brake services , front and back . Dealerships are scam artists , right front the beginning , walking into the service department as well as sales ! Thanks from Canada !

[@Thomas-bs2em]

Nice trick with the allen key mate. I was going to remove the pads and measure them with a micrometer but I like your method more.

[@CycloneCyd]

Saves a lot of effort! ✔

[@RapIsDeadly]

@@CycloneCyd Brilliant!!

[@brarautorepairs]

Amazing, I never realized this despite working on cars for many years. As a habit, I don't like to waste anything so I will try to make sure I wear my pads down fully before replacing them (always leaving some pad material to prevent direct contact to the rotors).

[@CycloneCyd]

Yeah, few outside the OEMs seem to know this.

[@guidancefromjah]

Best video on KZbin for this. Should be the first thing popping up when searching about brake pad wear.

[@sicmike2g]

Always thought this was a waste of brake pad material, now I know why, thank you. I will be using that Allen key trick, thanks.

[@CycloneCyd]

Yeah, I got this info from brakes Engineers at work about a decade ago. Hardly anyone outside the industry seems to know about this. Which is strange considering how important it is to safety.

[@CRVB7]

This is probably the only video with zero dislikes on KZbin. Straight forward and informative.Thanks.

[@CycloneCyd]

Thanks CVB7, I hadn't noticed, but you're right. Quite an accolade when the 'dislike squad' seem to like it. lol lol lol

[@CycloneCyd]

Now you've gone and done it, lol. You put the kibosh on it - it's got 2x dislikes in the last 3 months. 😂😂👎

[@CRVB7]

​@Cyclone Cyd You have to factor in the pandemic. People are more tense now😂😂Bright side is that it is a history record now of 2 years without dislikes. lol

[@RapIsDeadly]

Why 3mm....well now I know! Thank you for such a well explained video and the allen key trick.

[@1992it]

Who are the 2 people dislike this video? This is an awesome solid video. Great work and that Allen key hack is very very clutch

[@HVACENGINEER94]

From across the pond , I just want to say, Brilliant !! Excellent explanation. Cheers

[@CycloneCyd]

Many thanks!

[@oahu7873]

This explains why to replace when down to less than 3mm. Always wonder, thought i still had plenty of pad left.👍

[@CycloneCyd]

Few people outside the industry seem to know this, yet it's so safety critical.

[@nedcramdon1306]

Thanks Cyd! Good to know, and hello from Nova Scotia.

[@stevebutler812]

DYI many car maintenance items, often learning from YT. I have a few videos too. Learned some useful info and yet, I am still not doing my own brakes. Informative & helpful, thanks

[@CycloneCyd]

If you watch my 9-3 discs and pads video it's got all the best practices in it and is relevant whatever car you drive.

[@onpsxmember]

Helpful. I came here since you recommended not using copper paste. Thx. Always check your lens before recording. Doing the front of my Cee'd ED. Got the Textar Ceratec for this.

[@CycloneCyd]

👍

[@kubaniski]

Thank you for the information. It really helps to know why im doing something.

[@CycloneCyd]

Indeed it does. Welcome aboard

[@404notfound.....]

Great video! I'm down to 2mm, time to change!!

[@CycloneCyd]

Indeed, but the beauty of knowing this is it allows you to get the maximum use and value from a set of pads. Of course, you also need even wear on all four pads: watch this paying special attention to cleaning and lubing the slide pins kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZaxhXtumbiUmMU

[@superhard6606]

Very good, clearly simple and useful video, bless you

[@CycloneCyd]

Thanks a lot and welcome aboard

[@dannyf4995]

Thank you. Just a question regarding the rotors. Do I need to replace the rotors or resurfacing them when replacing the pads?

[@abc978abc]

Great idea to check the break pad.

[@CycloneCyd]

💡👍

[@eeyyaakk6801]

I learned something from this video. Subscribed! keep it up!

[@CycloneCyd]

That's the idea. Thanks and welcome aboard.

[@nilarwin3375]

Thank you for the information this is very helpful.

[@CycloneCyd]

You are so welcome!

[@Nonegiven14582]

Thanks. Your video is really helpful. I subscribed. I have a car with all round disc brakes and seems more than 3mm even on the back. But the brakes make a bit of a grinding sound when I first get in the car. I just had a major service. Which might have been rushed to get my car the MOT that day. So I can't complain about the garage. But when I asked them to look at the brakes at the end of last year, they said the front pads were new. Why am I getting that grinding noise when I get in the vehicle? But after braking hard a few times it seems to go. Have they done something or is it just dirt after having my brake fluid changed?

[@chrismayhew2924]

Thanks for the very informative video!

[@CycloneCyd]

Thanks Chris. I learnt about the construction of pads and the interlayer as the result of a chance conversation with a pad engineer from TMD Friction (who make Mintex & Pagid brands) and thought it might be useful, because I see so many people leaving pads til they are virtually down to the metal.

[@precool]

Thanks Cyd!

[@k01yunya]

Man, thank you for a great explanation but what's going on with your lenses? I had to check my monitor is not broken 😅

[@mled31611]

Thanks 3mm I never knew that and I've changed a lot of brake pads

[@CycloneCyd]

The lower limit for the MoT is 1.5mm. At that point the pads are already dangerous

[@Maximus-pv9ey]

Thanks for your video kind Sir !

[@CycloneCyd]

Welcome

[@SeekingSnow]

Thanks for the advice!

[@dragosmoldoveanu6862]

very good explanation!

[@harrys1848]

Handy video, thanks.

[@gabydelacruz4624]

Thank you this was really helpful.

[@CycloneCyd]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@jeffburtonnottheracecardriver]

Looks like time for new rotors too Mate!

[@robbyddurham1624]

At least one exception to the less than 3mm for pad replacement. Parking brake pads under disk brakes.

[@jjay3740]

Hi, I had my car MOT’d recently (passed with NO advisories on the brakes) however, within 2-300 miles the brakes begun scraping badly and became much worse at stopping the car! Should my brakes have failed or at least been an advisory? Thank you

[@CycloneCyd]

Thanks for sharing. If your pads were just about on minimum I would expect an advisory for sure. They are part of the inspection. ATEOTD though, it's your legal duty to check the pads, not theirs. The minimum thickness for an MoT fail is 1.5mm which is below the minimum usable thickness anyway. HTH

[@Brararaf101]

Hey big debate about transmission fluid i have myself and many I know went over 300k orig fluid many years. Do you recommend changing fluid it's camry 4 cyl mostly highway 60 k miles toyota manual says leave it alone. Dealership says change it and my mechanic to do not touch. I like to keep driving as long as possible w out engine or transmission job

[@CycloneCyd]

Oil degrades with use and age and condensation. OEs class "life" as 10-12 years 120-150,000 miles. There was a time it was normal to change MTF every 30-50,000 miles. OEs want your car to wear out so you have to scrap and buy another. I do the MTF every 30-40,000 miles.

[@Brararaf101]

@@CycloneCyd idk my buddy for 2 cars Ford van and Toyota over 15 years prob 20 years 300k a lot city driving same w my old camry. Orig fluid

[@kambostewart8056]

Using an Alem key. Genius!

[@nebojsa1976]

Are rotors really need to be replaced often? Even if they are at minimum thickness, I have a feeling that they can last for at least 5 more years. Before rotors were not replaced that often. Just in last 20 years everyone started talking about replacing it all the time.

[@MuhammadRaza-qc5nn]

Awesome content thanks

[@A.A.HadiWhite]

How do I know the brake pad size or type for my car? Is there a brake pad number or some sort?

[@CycloneCyd]

Look your car make/model/type up in the Mintex Brake Book

[@gaving4301]

My car manual says minimum thickness is 1.5mm, should I swap them out sooner?

[@CycloneCyd]

The manual will be referring to the factory original brake pads. If it has original still fitted, great. If not, 3mm

[@666dynomax]

finally know why 3mm! Man...

[@CycloneCyd]

👍👍

[@donovanm2281]

Helpful.

[@Chorith77]

Thank you.

[@mytube3687]

Nice video, Is it necessary to surface the rotor every time you replace the pads?

[@CycloneCyd]

Not at all, unless they need it. If they've got plenty of thickness left but are scored then surface them. If the surface is good, leave them be and fit new pads. Your decision should be DATA based, not one-size-fits-all

[@eeyyaakk6801]

one question - is it normal to not be able to see the brake pad? Is it really fully covered by the backing plate?

[@CycloneCyd]

Yes, the backing plate (steel) is usually slightly larger that the friction material to support it all around. You can usually see the friction material from the top, but this may mean taking off the wheel

[@garrid3244]

Thanks dude

[@joshuamoore24_7]

I usually change my brake pads at a 1/4" minimum thickness.

[@CycloneCyd]

1/4" = 6mm. A shade OCD, but good on yer.

[@jasminaktar8663]

Hi, I’m a new driver here. Whenever I brake at high speeds I can hear a squeaking noise and also when I put my handbrake up, you can hear it from outside the car? Is that normal? I have no car knowledge and I’m getting very anxious, please can you reply, I’d really appreciate it!

[@CycloneCyd]

You really shouldn't be pulling on your handbrake whilst driving. You could end up going backwards under the nearest HGV in a flash❗ Some brake pads have a wear indicator which creates a screeching noise. Check pad wear.

[@jasminaktar8663]

@@CycloneCyd it happened when I was trying to park😭 I heard a horrible noise. Very stupid of me. How much would you say it’d cost to replace only the brake pads at a garage? And thank you so much for replying, I appreciate it!!

[@CycloneCyd]

@@jasminaktar8663 £60-100 depending upon the car and pads. Did you check the pad thickness?

[@jasminaktar8663]

@@CycloneCyd it’s a corsa 07 plate and nope I haven’t.

[@CycloneCyd]

@@jasminaktar8663 Unless it's one of the 'sporty' versions, chances are it's not discs but drums at the rear. The noise could be as simple as dust that needs cleaning out, or could need new shoes. Take a look at videos 2 & 4 in my brakes play list to see drums. Unless you've got all the tools, take it to a garage, drums can be tricky

[@eeyyaakk6801]

hi friend, I believe both my front and rear brakes are disc brakes, however it seems the front ones look different than the rear. The front ones look like they have more hardware, or maybe the hardware is bigger, or different. Any ideas?

[@CycloneCyd]

Yeah, thats normal. Front brakes are usually larger than rears. Often fronts are vented but not rears. Depends somewhat on the car. Have a look at the Pagid brakebook for details.

[@legndar1]

⁹⁹

[@legndar1]

9⁹

[@inthecrosshairs4480]

Brake indicators are the best way to tell if you need brake pads. They squeal. "Change me now!"

[@faithinyou7944]

Mines on about 3mm but can’t afford to get it done till two week time and need to drive it everyday till then..Will they last and be okay?I know it’s not ideal but It’s the best I can do

[@CycloneCyd]

If you're on 3mm I wouldn't think a bit more light use will cause any harm.

[@BruceGinkel]

I thought you didn't change them until they started making horrendous noise, leaking fluid everywhere, and starting on fire. Boy, was I wrong.

[@CycloneCyd]

😂