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All pictures and texts in this web page are the property of nomaallim.com. Any use of any part of those contents without the written consent of nomaallim.com shall be subject to legal procedures as per international and local laws in the concerned country. Using the name "nomaallim" or "nomaallim com" or "nomaallim.com" in the text describing the unauthorized copied content shall not constitute an exception and shall be sanctioned in accordance to the effective laws and proceedings.
BEFORE YOU START!
DISCLAIMER:
Our pictorials are of informative nature and do illustrate works carried out by ourselves at our own premises for our own use and satisfaction. Readers who envisage to carry out similar works inspired by the below method shall do this at their own risks and liability. |
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Inspecting the thickness of front and rear brake pads
It is easier to take a picture with your mobile phone, then zoom on the pads and check their thickness.
The brake pads are the flat blocks that stick to the brake discs, with curved edges on two sides, and straight edges on the opposite two sides. You can only see the pad which is to the exterior of the vehicle, but the thickness of the two pads of a brake is always assumed to be the same on both sides of the disc.
They are fitted inside the brake calipers and can be easily seen from the back side as shown in the below pictures.
You need to look well at the friction part of the pad, which is the part that sticks to the disc.
See below examples:
The brake pads are the flat blocks that stick to the brake discs, with curved edges on two sides, and straight edges on the opposite two sides. You can only see the pad which is to the exterior of the vehicle, but the thickness of the two pads of a brake is always assumed to be the same on both sides of the disc.
They are fitted inside the brake calipers and can be easily seen from the back side as shown in the below pictures.
You need to look well at the friction part of the pad, which is the part that sticks to the disc.
See below examples:
Worn out brake pads:
This front brake pad has some 3-4 mm thick of friction material left, and need replacement. As a general rule, brake pads are to be replaced whenever the thickness of the pad is less than 6 mm.
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This rear brake pad is completely worn with 1 mm of thickness left, and started making noise at all times, both when driving and upon braking.
Its replacement is a matter of urgency and the vehicle can still be driven up to the workshop, no more! |
Worn brake pads:
This front brake pad is at the exact limit of minimum thickness, 6 mm. It can still be used for 5,000 km, but its replacement is to be planned during this period.
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This rear brake pad is at the exact limit of minimum thickness, 6 mm. It can still be used for 8,000 km, but its replacement is to be planned during this period.
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Good brake pads:
This front brake pad has a little more than 6 mm of thickness, which is fine. Being fitted to the front wheels, it can still work for some ten thousand kilometers.
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This rear brake pad has more than 6 mm of thickness, which is fine. Being fitted to the rear wheels, it can work for tenths of thousands of kilometers.
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NOTE: When looking from the side of the caliper does not allow to see the brake pad, put your phone's camera in macro mode, introduce your phone between your wheel rim spokes and take a picture.
You can then check on the pads 'thickness through the caliper's window:
You can then check on the pads 'thickness through the caliper's window:
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How to buy replacement brake pads
Take a photo of the pads as most of the time, the part number shows from within the caliper elements.
Look for the "WVA" number which is a 5-digit standardized number across all manufacturers, as developed in Germany (Waren-Vertriebs-Artikel-Nummern), in the range of 20000 to 25999, in this case 23980.
When purchasing new pads, you can use any of the car model and engine, VIN number, or, WVA number to match the brake pads to your vehicle.
Look for the "WVA" number which is a 5-digit standardized number across all manufacturers, as developed in Germany (Waren-Vertriebs-Artikel-Nummern), in the range of 20000 to 25999, in this case 23980.
When purchasing new pads, you can use any of the car model and engine, VIN number, or, WVA number to match the brake pads to your vehicle.