How to Check the Thickness of Car Brake Pads?
1 Answers
Brake pad thickness can be checked visually. For some vehicles, the brake pads can be seen through the gaps in the wheel hub. If the brake pads have worn down to one-third of the standard thickness, it is recommended to replace them. Below are the detailed steps: 1. Visual inspection: The thickness of brake pads can be measured by eye. For some cars, the brake pad thickness can be viewed through the gaps in the wheel hub. Tilt your line of sight at a 15° angle to the plane of the wheel hub and look into the gap between the brake pad and the brake disc to check the thickness. If the brake pads have worn down to one-third of the standard thickness, it is advisable to replace them promptly. 2. Professional measurement tools: Brake pad thickness can also be measured using specialized tools. These tools come with various thickness measurement options and can provide recommendations. Alternatively, you can rely on feel—if the brake pedal feels lighter than usual or braking becomes difficult or ineffective, it may indicate insufficient brake pad thickness, leading to inadequate friction. In such cases, immediate replacement is necessary to avoid accidents.