When To Replace Disc Brake Pads | Tech Tuesday #107

Truman shares a tip for quickly measuring pad thickness. Avoid ruining your rotor or caliper by learning when to replace your pads.

Questions or comments? Leave them below!

➤ Tools & materials used:
• 3 business cards

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[xuchenglin]

Surprisingly straight forward! 3 business cards = 1mm = you should change your pads. Like this informative way! Thumb up!

[squid]

No BS, just straight forward information. I appreciate that!!!

[RGCastro]

Simple and effective suggestions. Thanks, Truman!

[mtbboy]

Great stuff :-)
a good idea is to check for cracks in the pad surface, I also make sure the pads are flat, gravel or small branches stuck between disk and pads can cause uneven wear to the pads.
I use the gauge shown in the video to measure it, I measure the pad surface everywhere to make sure it's flat, if not I sand it down.
for me Shimano metallic pads usually get cracks and I replace them before they get worn down to 1mm.

[MTBMOM]

Thanks for the 3 business card tip, that's something I can definitely remember. 👍

[TejinderSingh-ulwi]

Thanks for your information
Nice 👍👍👍 from India 🇮🇳

[ericpatterson]

Thank you park tools. Your video do help use out !! 👍👍👍

[LegendFromWoW]

Thanks this is very helpful. I guess my bike brakes have survived a little over 300 miles of daily city commuting so far in hilly Seattle. This is important safety info I wish bicycle manufacturers were required to provide. Because if your brakes fail on a Class 3 Ebike and you've got 3-400 pounds of weight flying down the road at 30-35 MPH you and anyone in your path is gonna get hurt pretty bad.

[radbikeadventure]

Cheers for the helpful tips! Like the business card trick

[NDemanuele]

As always helpful video! I know my pads are close but wasn't sure how close I am to having to replace them - this video confirms it! - 1mm or 3 business cards!

I'm also curious to know if we should get OEM pads or third party? On social media there was a discussion about this, many have said that some third parties are just as good, if not better than OEM and much cheaper. I would appreciate knowing Park Tool's opinion on this!

[edgartan]

I SUGGEST YOU MAKE VIDEO HOW TO REPLACE CABLE PULLED DISK BRAKE FOR THE HARD TAIL MTB

[DanielTVBLOG]

As long as it's not bare metal it's still good in my opinion

[lynnwood]

Allan keys are a good way to measure disc pad thickness

[rolandcheahsinboon]

Great video. By the way, when I change to a new rotor, is it ok to use my old brake pads? Or is it recommended to use new pads with new rotors? If yes, is there a reason? Cheers.

[Drivertakeabreak]

a pair of manual measurement calipers is a good investment for your home shop. They only usually cost a few dollars.

[Prettyboyred]

My disk brake pads only last for one week. For my e-bike. When I adjust them, they function as if there are no brakes at all. The brake cord will slip out of place, after tightening. When there's still lots of bad left. I don't understand why it does this? It's expensive having to order pads online and a inconvenience to have to wait.

[LongTran-smxc]

I just replaced two my disc brakes there brand new on my mountain bike

[buder]

i would like to know does it exist brake pad and caliper that is twice the thickness?
hydraulic type
if we dont count those for electric scooter (i got some and way thicker)

[speedyboi]

I have a quick question. My brake pads had recently been contaminated to the point were even though I cleaned them with alcohol and sanded them down they still squeak and get oily again. So in return I bought new pads online but I was wondering if I HAVE to replace the disc brakes as well or if I could just really clean them for the new pads?

[Nathan]

Is there a way to find out if there going bad without taking the pads out