How to measure brake pad thickness?

Tiny
PHENRIKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
It seems that there is general agreement that the brake pads should be changed ASAP when their thickness go below 1/8 of an inch, and doing it soon when it gets below 1/4 of an inch.

Is this correct, and how is it measured? Is the 1/4 of an inch the thickness of the friction pad, or the friction pad plus the lining/backing?
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Saturday, May 30th, 2009 AT 8:56 PM

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Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • EXPERT
Most pads have wear indicators on them. But I would generally change them at 1/4 inch.

The situation you want to avoid is to let them wear to the point that they cause rotor grooves, or other wear.

Decent pads are generally $20 or so, and Wagner or other high end pads with wear warranty's are in the $40-60 range, I could tell you some story's about brake pads/rotor wear :).

The measurement is pad, not pad and backing.
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Monday, March 29th, 2021 AT 10:38 AM

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