How Do I Check Brake Pads and Rotors?

Brakes Are a Safety Critical Part of a Motor Vehicle

Brake components should be installed by a competent mechanic in a professional manner. Any incorrect installation of brake components can cause a major safety problem or an accident. If you are not a competent and qualified mechanic you should not attempt to install these products, but should take the vehicle to a vehicle dealer or competent automotive mechanic for their installation. In some cases, servicing or replacing brake hardware at the time of pad or rotor installation may also be required.

Disc brake pads and rotors are wear items and as such, should be inspected regularly and replaced as necessary.

Street and Highway Use

Brake pads should typically be replaced when approximately 1/8" to 3/16" of friction material remains on the steel backing plate.

Brake rotors should be replaced before their thickness has reached the prescribed "Worn Rotor Minimum Thickness" limit (expressed in millimeters) engraved on the edge of the brake disc.

Plain brake rotors may be turned on a brake lathe to remove scoring and to true the disc surfaces until this minimum thickness has been reached. Drilled and slotted rotors may not be able to be turned and should be replaced if they become scored.

Track and Competition Use

Due to the extremes of heat and pressure encountered by brake systems used for track and competition applications, all brake system components (pads, rotors, calipers, lines, hardware and fluid) must be compatible and should be inspected between sessions. Brake pads and rotors should be replaced before they reach the wear limits described above.