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 Are My Brakes Worn?
I have a 2009 RS SE5 with about 24,000 miles on it. Lately I have been getting a brake failure warning when going downhill while applying the brakes. When I level out it goes away. This happened to me last year and I added a little bit of brake fluid to the reservoirs and it went away.
I am pretty sure the pads are worn to the point the fluid is dropping in the reservoirs just enough to activate the warning. My question is, is there a specification on how thick the remaining material on the pads should be when it is time for replacement? I want to inspect the brakes this weekend and determine if they need to be replaced.
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There is a minimum spec for pad thickness; I THINK that it's 1mm. But you'd better double-check that! 
EDIT: I just checked the manual for my old 2010 RT, and for that bike, 1mm is the minimum. I just don't know if it's the same for your bike.
Last edited by Bob Denman; 06-13-2014 at 09:45 AM.
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New brake pads are pretty inexpensive and easy to change yourself so for peace of mind why don't you go ahead and change them?
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It's time..!!
with that mileage I would have new pads on hand. By the time you get to checking the thickness you will have it all apart anyway might as well change them. If you are close and reassemble you will worry about it with every upcoming trip...will they last..?? Will I end up metal on metal and need new disk too..?? 
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thats a lot of miles on a set of brake pads... I would expect them to be shot... like the man says they don't cost much, and of course the life you save may be your own
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That would be my .02 also.
check your brake fluid, even a table spoon low can trip that sensor and the min for brake pads is probably the same for all the models, 1mm and I think the disc min is 5.33mm
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Also agree with the last two posters.
First line of defense, check the level of brake fluid in the brake fluid receptacle.
At 24K, brake pads are another consideration.
 
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 Originally Posted by Handymandbq
I have a 2009 RS SE5 with about 24,000 miles on it. Lately I have been getting a brake failure warning when going downhill while applying the brakes. When I level out it goes away. This happened to me last year and I added a little bit of brake fluid to the reservoirs and it went away.
I am pretty sure the pads are worn to the point the fluid is dropping in the reservoirs just enough to activate the warning. My question is, is there a specification on how thick the remaining material on the pads should be when it is time for replacement? I want to inspect the brakes this weekend and determine if they need to be replaced.
On my second set by then!!!!
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Originally Posted by BajaRon
Very likely that your pads are TOAST! You might even be into the rotor on the rear. But that should be making a racket.
My guess is the warning light has more to do with low fluid in your master cylinder than worn out brake pads (though one does cause the other). That's why the light goes away when you level out.
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I miss Scotty too. Always the mechanical words of wisdom.
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Originally Posted by lyonsden
I miss Scotty too. Always the mechanical words of wisdom.
True! Scotty was always right. I'm only right some of the time. And if you ask my wife.... Hhmmm, on second thought, let's not ask her...
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I've been absent for a long time... 5 yrs of daily posts and reads, I've expanding into other obsessions. Ha!
How do I know if I need new brake pads on my 2010 RTS ? It recently came back from service so they checked and filled fluids. But not inspection of brake pads. When I brake It "mushy" and seems a bit slow to stop.
How do I measure pads without removing them?
If they (front or rear) are below the 1mm level, where can I get a set?
Lastly, anyone have a link on a How to Change brake pads?
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