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  1. #1
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    Default Is there a way to know when you need new brake pads?

    Is there a way to determine when it is time to replace brakes on a Spyder? This from the point of view of not removing wheels and not being a mechanic. How does the normal Joe/Josie determine? Thanks in advance.
    Jim

  2. #2
    Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie Peter Aawen's Avatar
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    You will hear & maybe feel them once they're worn down to metal on metal, but that means you might need to replace the discs too!!

    So apart from taking the wheels off & inspecting the pads, you'll probably only be able to check earlier than that by using a flashlight, a mirror, and looking carefully to see the pad thickness remaining.... and you'll need to check the pad thickness on BOTH pads on each disc, cos if the caliper pins seize (as they sometimes do! ) you might wear one pad completely down while the other still looks OK!

    Good Luck!
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  3. #3
    SpyderLovers Sponsor cptjam's Avatar
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    Impossible to inspect the inner pad with the wheel on, unless you have a bore scope camera. Take the wheel off, check. There are wear grooves cut in the pads. If worn to the point of no wear grooves, you need new pads.
    Joe Meyer



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  4. #4
    SpyderLovers Sponsor BajaRon's Avatar
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    You can check you rear pads without pulling the wheel. You just need a small inspection mirror to see the inside pad. I've used my wife's makeup mirror she carries in her purse. But there are other (probably better) options. Like a mechanics mirror on a collapsible rod.

    Wear limit is a very thin, 1mm. Which is about the width of a standard credit card. Most people change their pads too soon.

    Another interesting point is that pads wear more slowly as they get thinner. So, when you are at 50% of the original pad thickness, you still have more than 50% wear remaining.

    It is important to check both pads at every wheel. Just because one pad has plenty of life left, doesn't necessarily mean that the other one is not nearly worn out. Waiting until you get screeching (from metal to metal contact) will usually cost you a rotor replacement. If you do need a rotor. I highly recommend getting the EBC rotor. They are less expensive than the OEM rotors. And of much better quality and stopping power thnn the originals.

    If nothing else, you'll save yourself a fair amount of money doing the job yourself. And, you can get better pads, usually for less money, doing your own work as well.
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    Last edited by BajaRon; 11-18-2021 at 03:34 PM.
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  5. #5
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    Good info from knowledgeable people.
    2014 RTL Platinum


  6. #6
    Very Active Member Bfromla's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Peter Aawen View Post
    You will hear & maybe feel them once they're worn down to metal on metal, but that means you might need to replace the discs too!!

    So apart from taking the wheels off & inspecting the pads, you'll probably only be able to check earlier than that by using a flashlight, a mirror, and looking carefully to see the pad thickness remaining.... and you'll need to check the pad thickness on BOTH pads on each disc, cos if the caliper pins seize (as they sometimes do! ) you might wear one pad completely down while the other still looks OK!

    Good Luck!
    helpful vid Thanks Finless
    https://youtu.be/Csji-2tfwAQ

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