When to change brake pads and disc's?

[Owllo]

Hi guys.

Had a service on my leon about 3000 miles ago and the guy at the garage said that the pads where fine but would need changing soon.

I've been thinking about doing it for awhile but its one of those things that keeps getting put off and now its starting to worry me. The squealing is even worse than normal (maybe cos the window is down more in the sunshine) and it can't be all brake dust.

Was just wondering what the tell tale signs would be for the pads and even disc's? Do i need to take the pads out to get a proper look?

150 tdi by the way

Cheers

Martin

 

[UncleFester]

Take the wheel off and you can see the pad area - if it's < 3mm i'd be looking to change. I can't remember if the OE pads come with a warning light or not. In fact you might even be able to see without taking the wheel off

 

[Owllo]

Cheers Uncle

now you mention it, I have heard something about a warning function but then I'm not sure if they're on my car?

Just don't want to leave it too long that I knacker the disc's (if possible)

The squeaking is awful and a very good constant reminder that the brakes need attention

 

[UncleFester]

The squeaking could also be a rust lip forming around the edge of the discs - you can feel this with your finger ( wait till the discs are cold!) There are minimum disc thickness but i can't remember what they are now. I'm quite heavy footed, pads are normally gone within 10k miles and discs are usually going after 15k to 20k. Even if they aren't gone, i just replace them anyway - treat them like consumables i guess. Mine did have the brake waring sensors but they weren't connected and by the time the pads needed changing the sensor wires had fallen out of the pads

 

[mc]

remember that only one pad will have a sensor, and as already stated it might not work!