When do I need new pads?

[Bum_Face]

I have a sporadic whistle from the N/S front wheel, I assume it is a sign the pads need replacing. Looking at the below photos can anyone confirm?

Because of the alloys it is really hard to take a decent photo without taking the wheel off. The car is an Abarth 595 if that is relevant.

[Cold]

Loads of meat left on that pad. I'd be investigating that crack in the disc a little closer though.

[E63eeeeee...]

Hard to tell from the pictures, but it's worth mentioning that the inner pads which you can't see are likely to be more worn than the ones you can, so if you've got 5mm on those the inners might only have 3mm or so. Definitely worth getting them checked properly.

[Bum_Face]

Cold said:

Loads of meat left on that pad. I'd be investigating that crack in the disc a little closer though.

Thanks, you scared me for a moment about the crack! Is just the reflection of the calliper 🙂

[Bum_Face]

E63eeeeee... said:

Hard to tell from the pictures, but it's worth mentioning that the inner pads which you can't see are likely to be more worn than the ones you can, so if you've got 5mm on those the inners might only have 3mm or so. Definitely worth getting them checked properly.

Will get it checked out then. What is the typical minimum at which I should be changing pads?

[andburg]

Bum_Face said:

Thanks, you scared me for a moment about the crack! Is just the reflection of the calliper ??

Definitely not!

Crack remains in position with camera movement.

As said inner pads are likely more worn and the under side of the disk may be corroded.

Wheel off and head in the arch from underneath is the only real way to see these days

[Rough101]

Check the inside and also dig the crap out the vent holes with something reasonably blunt.

[donkmeister]

E63eeeeee... said:

Hard to tell from the pictures, but it's worth mentioning that the inner pads which you can't see are likely to be more worn than the ones you can, so if you've got 5mm on those the inners might only have 3mm or so. Definitely worth getting them checked properly.

Agreed. I had a car fail an MOT at the fitters who are quick, due to excessively worn pads. As I'd checked them before I thought it was the usual upsell. Took car home, wheel off, outer pad had loads of material left but... the inner pads were almost to the backing.

(That extreme was actually due to a sticky/seized two-pot caliper, obviously wouldn't be such a severe difference in normal circumstances. But proper lubrication of slider pins and clean up of the pad bearing surfaces is often overlooked or done incorrectly)

[Pando99]

I would suggest that there is a high chance of corrosion on the inside of the disc and probably more wear on the inner pad if it is a single piston caliper as the force is acting directly on it.
.
Easy job to pop off and have a look or get the camera underneath

[Super Josh]

Pando99 said:

I would suggest that there is a high chance of corrosion on the inside of the disc and probably more wear on the inner pad if it is a single piston caliper as the force is acting directly on it.

I assumed those would be Brembo 4-pots?