[rubbish]

When should you replace brake pads? Is there a minimum thickness that you need when replacing them or does that depend on the type/brand of pads? I just measured mine because last time at the track I felt like my brakes weren't as strong as they were before so I figured my pads are due for replacing. I measured all 4 of them at 2.0 to 2.6 mm thickness.

I also noticed when measuring them that they didn't wear out evenly. Like I said, a couple of them were as low as 2 mm, but one was as high as around 2.6 mm. Is that normal, or should I be concerned about that? I noticed when I took them off that on the right side the rotor was not centered in the caliper, it was seated more towards the outside of the bike, and it was almost rubbing the caliper (outer edge).

Oh, and in case it matters, I was using EBC EPFA pads.

 

[Tuned]

You can run pads pretty low, especially good pads. I've run them down to 1.5mm of remaining material before. Not purposely, but you can feel when they start to go bad. I always kept new pads with me in my track tool box, so whenever the grip level dropped off, I'd replace. You'll feel the pads start to go bad, so it's not like you'll have brakes one moment and no brakes the next.

I noticed the spacing was very odd as well. The offset of the rotor puts it very close to the caliper. That's totally normal with that setup unfortunately. The aftermarket rotors were better, but I didn't measure the offset difference.

FYI, I really like the Ferodo XRac pads, they're very good.

 

[rubbish]

Ok, so my guess is I'm in that transition where they're starting to feel like they're not performing quite as well.

 

[Tuned]

Yep… ditch'em!

 

[ducnial]

If they're for your track bike the answer is a no-brainer. I replace mine well before they get thin enough to fail tech. Even metallic compound tends to harden about halfway though. I've been running EBC metallics and noticed they'll start fading a little under really hard braking after they've been on a couple seasons. IMO not worth risking for $80.

 

[rubbish]

$132 to be more precise

Just ordered 2 pairs of EBC GPFA pads!

I just hope I didn't mess up the seal from one of the pistons in one of the calipers. I was cleaning them out because I realized they haven't been cleaned in a long time (in fact, I've never personally done it ) and after I cleaned up all the gunk around the pistons I pushed them inside, but when I pushed one of them, the one next to it came out, not all the way out but probably a lot more than it should. I managed to push it back in but I'm afraid the seal might've got damaged or contaminated with remaining debris ....I'll check on it in the next few days while I wait for the new pads and see if any fluid is leaking around that piston.

 

[Tuned]

Don't worry about the caliper pistons, they can extend pretty far.

BTW… EBC doesn't make good pads anymore. I have no idea what happened, but I've tried bunches of their products in many of my bikes because they sponsored me and I gave up trying to make them work. As ducnial posted, they fade way before the pad material is gone. I'd get a few days of track time out of a set of pads with EBC and I got 6 months out of my Ferodo Xrac pads… that's like 20 track events!

 

[rubbish]

Well I got a whole year out of my EBC EPFA pads, and just now they're starting to fade, so I'm happy with how they performed. Plus, I already brake way too much, so I don't need the best pad out there, I just need something predictable and smooth....hell I should just take one caliper completely off, that might improve my lap times

 

[Tuned]

Just spray some WD40 on the rotors before every session, that'll do the trick! HAHAHA

 

[ANORXIC'51]

Interesting Ty thinks EBC pads have not been good. You should probably call Jason Farrell and tell him that.

Although with how he rides, I'm not sure his bike even has a braking system. ^_^

You'll be just fine on the EBCs, Alex. I seem to can't get away from the Vesrah offerings. All personal preference!!

 

[219R]

Yeah, I don't like a whole lot of initial "bite", but I do like a lot of braking force in a predictable progression,... the progressive force seems to be better suited for the way I trail brake, going into and in the corner.... I use a carbon type of pad from Riders Discount, about $40.00/pr +or-.............