Brake pad change?

[jamesgarbett]

Car just back from service and the report says front pads are 80% worn - when should they ideally be changed? Presumably not 100%?

 

[mmm-five]

Depends whether they're implying the 100% is no pad material left, or just at the recommended wear level (3-5mm or so).

You can have a look yourself, but you really need to look at the inside of the near-side front pad as that's the one that seems to wear the most (inside pads first, then outer, nearside then offside).

I'd change them personally.

 

[csm180]

As they are easy so easy to change and cheap I wouldn't hesitate and change them.

 

[itguy]

Just change them - cheap and easy diy

 

[TrickyDicky]

If you wait until they are 100% then the wear sensors will kick in and need replacing, plus you risk scoring your discs.

 

[TrickyDicky]

If they are that worn and you change them yourself don't forget to remove some brake fluid from the reservoir, otherwise it might overflow when you push the pistons in.

 

[ESP]

Yes just change now, you can always feel it too with the feeling when u brake like i have so in a few weeks i will change when i put new discs on which you should change anyway with new discs.

Careful!
Spongy brakes / long pedal travel isn't always down to needing new pads, just by bleeding the brakes you can change the feel, brake fluid should be changed every 3-4 years or 20k miles (altho BMW will tell u it needs changing every 2 years and charge you £79), where as pads might out last this. Its a easy DIY job.
Disks could / should last a couple even 3 of sets of Pads. Aw long as the not warped disks should last along long time.

 

[Ryan999]

Change your pads and change the fluid if it needs to be

i once bought a car the last owner left them go down to much and messed the discs up so had to change them all