[Shotimes] OT- Questionable Auto Zone experience.

[George Fourchy]

On Sun, 16 Mar 2003 12:00:41 -0800 (PST), Donald Fox wrote:

>When I pressed him for a thickness to go by, he could
>not provide one, but insisted that they has lots of
>life left. I told him that I am not one to wait until
>I hear grinding before I replace pads.

I'm not familiar with the nitty-gritties of the '96 upgrade, but I do know that you
need the proper pad, otherwise you aren't utilizing the full capabilities of the
larger rotor.

Normally, I consider a brake pad functionally worn out if the brake material is the
same thickness or less than the backing plate, the metal base that it is bonded or
riveted to.  but if I go in and find a pad 80% worn, like yours sound like they are,
I'd just change them.  33,000 miles is a decent amount of mileage on the slightly
smaller pads, which had to work harder than they should have, because they are in
fact smaller.  I agree with Ron Porter....you basically got your money's worth now,
even though there is a little bit left.  Don't risk hurting a rotor...also the heat
naturally occuring in a disc brake can harden and cook the pad material, making it
brittle.  If it should crack or chip off, between now and the 'official' worn out
point, you will lose braking, since you have lost pad area, and are further risking
the rotor.

Just swap them with the proper pads, and press on.

George and the Lowrider......Wilwoods for us