changing brake pads. how do i know when this needs doing ?

[seeva]

when my tyres were being changed i was told that my pads could do with changing .can anyone tell me how i check this. im reasonably competent with mechanical stuff but im looking at the haynes manual and cant find any reference to correct thicknesses. . i know there is probably a pretty simple answer but ive never really looked at them before.

[decisivedave]

If there's a loud screeching and sparks you've run out of pad.

Page 42 of the maintenance instructions (comes with user manual) says that there are wear indicators (grooves in the face of the brake pad material). If they've gone the pads are too thin. The rest is all a bit gobbldy gook to me because I don't know BM's well eneough yet.

Hope that helps.

Cheers, Dave

[oyster]

Depends how you ride. Fast riding with much braking, city work, about 12-15 K miles. Touring easy riding, about 20k miles. If you hear a dreadful rasping, metallic noise, at about the same time the brakes seem not to be too good, it would be a good time to put in new pads (and probably discs). Check all the calliper pistons ride in and out smoothly with a bit of wood laid in where the disc runs. Change the brake fluid.
I never seem to use the back brake, so I reckon those pads will be good for about 50 K + miles.

[nab 301]

im looking at the haynes manual and cant find any reference to correct thicknesses. . i.

Bmw manual suggests 1mm min lining thickness.
Nigel B

[bikemad99]

Depends how you ride. Fast riding with much braking, city work, about 12-15 K miles. Touring easy riding, about 20k miles. If you hear a dreadful rasping, metallic noise, at about the same time the brakes seem not to be too good, it would be a good time to put in new pads (and probably discs). Check all the calliper pistons ride in and out smoothly with a bit of wood laid in where the disc runs. Change the brake fluid.
I never seem to use the back brake, so I reckon those pads will be good for about 50 K + miles.

That is what I thought about my back brake till last year in the IOM when the pad fell off the backing plate. I advice swapping at about 4 1/2 yrs.

[julian]

[quote="bikemad99] That is what I thought about my back brake till last year in the IOM when the pad fell off the backing plate. I advice swapping at about 4 1/2 yrs.[/quote]

Ahem! Been putting off doing mine. When dropping the wheels to have new Pilot Powers fitted yesterday I noticed that there was no friction material left on the rear pads.

Daily London riding is hard on the back brake. I'd say mine need changing every 7k - 10k miles. All calipers were duly serviced today and new rear pads fitted.