Do brake pads get old?

[Cattletrkr]

I'm closing in on 178K on my factory front pads. I just recently replaced the rears for the second time and I noticed a lot smoother braking even though the pads we not wore out yet. I didn't turn the rotors 'cause there's no reason to do so. I'd love to get 200K out of the fronts just so I can say I did. But I'm wondering if the pads are plain old getting old. I did some measuring a couple weeks ago and I have more than enough pad to make it to 200K safely, but if the pads aren't as effective as they should be I could be talked into changing them.

I don't have any braking issues now or before. I'm just wondering after noticing the difference with the new rears.

 

[rbattelle]

I seem to recall reading something somewhere once about brake pad friction material degrading over time. This might make sense, if you consider the pads have to tolerate tons of thermal loading plus getting wet.

But I wouldn't change the front pads unless theres no material left or you're having serious braking issues.

Think of how great it will be to say you got 200k out of a set of pads. Remember when brake pads had to be replaced every 30k?

Ryan

 

[Cattletrkr]

I seem to recall reading something somewhere once about brake pad friction material degrading over time. This might make sense, if you consider the pads have to tolerate tons of thermal loading plus getting wet.

That's kinda what I was thinking

But I wouldn't change the front pads unless theres no material left or you're having serious braking issues.

I tried to measure a couple weeks ago and I came up with about 4-5mm left. The new pads I've had sitting on the shelf for over a year and a half have 12mm.

Think of how great it will be to say you got 200k out of a set of pads.

Why do you think I haven't changed them yet?? I get a lot of dropped jaws now, I can't wait to turn 200K. Given the measurements I mentioned above, I'll make 200K easily.

 

[05mxdiesel]

Is it possible that the friction matieral gets harder through time from heat sink and tends to glaze over which in turn reduces braking power and increases heat and cause warped rotors?

 

[azpete]

Watched something on one of the automotive shows about break pads awhile back about pads coming apart from heat or age. I'm in the same boat. New pads sitting in the shop for two years waiting for the originals to wear out. 90000 mi. and still going

 

[rkressg]

Just curious, but how have the front pads lasted almost 200k, but the rears have worn out twice.
I got about 130k out of my rears, but I replace the fronts about every 40-50k.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Just curious, but how have the front pads lasted almost 200k, but the rears have worn out twice.
I got about 130k out of my rears, but I replace the fronts about every 40-50k.

I have no clue. Doesn't make sense to me either.

 

[rbattelle]

I have no clue. Doesn't make sense to me either.

Maybe a problem with the proportioning valve? Although if it were really out of whack you'd expect the rear end to come around on you every time you brake hard.

Ryan

 

[John - K5AWO]

The ratio you are talking about tells me that your brake porportioning valve is not working correctly. There is no way that the rear brakes should wear out before the front pads IF everything is working correctly.

The condition you describe says that the front brakes on your truck are not contributing hardly any braking effort.

Think about it.
When you apply brakes, the weight is shifted towards the front. That is why the front end dives down when you stop hard.

Instead of looking for bragging rights on a low replacement cost item lasting 200,000 miles- I would be wanting to know what is not working and get it fixed.

My truck has been using front pads at about 20,000 miles. The rear bands are not showing that much wear at all, but appear to be replacements, not OEM.

Pads are cheap. I wouldn't be worrying about when you change them.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that most of my miles are city driving, empty, in stop and go metro driving.

 

[catoiler]

John you hit that one on the head!! The front brakes do about 80-90% of the braking and you should always wear out the fronts before the rears unless their is a problem. might want to check the master also as they are split front and rear. The bigger reservoir is the front. A quick way to check is to have someone step on the brakes and hold them and crack the front bleader valve and see if you have any pressure.

on edit:

After checking your sig you might want to have the antilock checked by the dealer.

 

[steved]

I have to add that I currently have 135k on ALL the original pads on my truck... I could probably get over 200k at the current rate of wear (although I don't tow like SOME of us do... ). Mine are around 50% worn at 135k. The biggest problem I had was the calipers started sticking on the caliper slide pins, but a liberally cleaning and re-lubing solved that problem.

As for the brake pads getting old... I would guess it would depend on the brake's friction material... remember, there are at least three types: organic, semi-metallic, and now ceramic. My guess is that our brakes are ceramic, based on the wear and the low dust produced.

steved

 

[Cattletrkr]

I have no trouble stopping and my front brakes work fine. I just don't use them too much. Most of my miles are with a trailer and I use the trailer brakes more aggressively than most guys would. I keep them set so they come on slightly before I feel the truck kick in.

I know I have/had goofy calipers on the rear. That was obvious when the pads came out extremely uneven. They needed to be popped and they seem fine now. That might explain why the braking is smoother now than before. The left set was probably 50% there yet, but the right side caliper side pad was almost to the noise maker thingy on 1 end and 2 times that thick on the other end. After I broke 'em loose I had my brother step on the pedal a few times and they worked. We'll see what happens.

Driving empty I don't ever feel like I've lost brake power. I wouldn't say I can stop on a dime, but it's about right for a 9,000lb truck with hydraulic brakes.

My brake pads should last a lot longer than pads in an auto equipped truck. I have a 6 spd which I downshift all the time and I use my exhaust brake nearly every stop. If there's no one behind me and I'm not in a hurry I won't even touch the brake pedal to make a turn.

 

[steved]

My brake pads should last a lot longer than pads in an auto equipped truck. I have a 6 spd which I downshift all the time and I use my exhaust brake nearly every stop. If there's no one behind me and I'm not in a hurry I won't even touch the brake pedal to make a turn.

This is sort of how I drive too... I'll coast up to stops if I can...



steved

 

[catoiler]

See now ya go throw'n in the trailer! That is a whole nother storyTheir is a hight valve on the rear end that senses load and chainges the braking accordingly. Then their is the trailer brakes and exhaust brake those two on their own will stop it. Sounds like everything is working correctly,just keep doing what you do!!:-laf I don't think the pads have a "shelf Life" persay but heat will kill them. I have had cars with 30yr old pads on them and no problems!

 

[steved]

Their is a hight valve on the rear end that senses load and chainges the braking accordingly.

I'm not sure the 3rd gens have the axle mounted (and weight/height determined) proportioning valve???



steved

 

[dpuckett]

My girlfriend has an 04 Dakota with the original pads at 50% (though not near the miles). My mom's brakes are older than that on her 92. I wouldnt worry about age just yet.



Daniel

 

[Cattletrkr]

Yeah, I'm more worried about heat than age. They get heated up quite often even though I am fairly easy on them. No way around it.

catoiler... I thought these trucks were built to pull trailers. I find it odd when someone says they don't tow much.

 

[catoiler]

I'm not sure the 3rd gens have the axle mounted (and weight/height determined) proportioning valve???



steved

My 03 had it but I don't recall seeing it on the 05! Now I gotta go and see if the 07 has it. #@$%!



Cattletrkr=catoiler... I thought these trucks were built to pull trailers. I find it odd when someone says they don't tow much.



That's them city slickers only put the vittles in the bed!!:-laf



Me I tow the heck outa mine!

 

[steved]

Cattletrkr=catoiler... I thought these trucks were built to pull trailers. I find it odd when someone says they don't tow much.



That's them city slickers only put the vittles in the bed!!:-laf



Me I tow the heck outa mine!

While some of us don't tow often, we put higher-than-normal miles per year on a truck that would be a waste of a perfectly good gasser (not to mention the cost of fuel).



I never bought mine to tow, but need the dependability of the Cummins.



steved

 

[catoiler]

My wife puts over 50k a year on her cars and very seldom has any problems. Wore out her 92 explorer 350k when we got rid of it,the neighbor bought it and it is still going! Her latest is a Kia that was my mothers, had 3200k when she passed away and it has 53k on it now with no problems. Not bad for a 10,000 car! She wants to see how long it will last!