How can I tell when my hydraulic disc pads need to be changed?
08-09-22, 01:10 PM
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How can I tell when my hydraulic disc pads need to be changed?
My Spot ACME bike has Sram Level hydraulic brakes on it and I'm wondering how I will know when it's time to swap out the disc pads for new ones. I do have a set of calipers and a micrometer and can measure both the mounting plate's thickness and the pad material's thickness if that happens to be the first step.
Any input will be helpful.
Any input will be helpful.
08-09-22, 01:21 PM
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I don't have the same brakes, but ...
I asked the same question a cpl years ago but never really got a definitive answer, other than don't wait to hear scraping metal sounds
I've changed mine twice since then. neither time did they look excessively worn
for me, I'll do it if the brake is making noise or there's a noticeable loss of performance, like from some kind of contamination - even after checking wheel alignment & cleaning the rotor
it was interesting to see that the inner & outer pads wear differently
old vs new
honestly don't remember what exactly these pics are that I took
I asked the same question a cpl years ago but never really got a definitive answer, other than don't wait to hear scraping metal sounds
I've changed mine twice since then. neither time did they look excessively worn
for me, I'll do it if the brake is making noise or there's a noticeable loss of performance, like from some kind of contamination - even after checking wheel alignment & cleaning the rotor
it was interesting to see that the inner & outer pads wear differently
old vs new
honestly don't remember what exactly these pics are that I took
Last edited by rumrunn6; 08-09-22 at 01:30 PM.
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08-09-22, 01:39 PM
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My Spot ACME bike has Sram Level hydraulic brakes on it and I'm wondering how I will know when it's time to swap out the disc pads for new ones. I do have a set of calipers and a micrometer and can measure both the mounting plate's thickness and the pad material's thickness if that happens to be the first step.
https://www.sram.com/globalassets/do...d-shifters.pdf
08-09-22, 02:53 PM
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I use 1mm pad thickness a a replacement point on bikes and a trike, I inspect often.
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08-09-22, 05:09 PM
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Thanks for all the helpful answers guys.
I have a follow up question too: what's the best way to clean the rotors before I install the new pads?
I have a follow up question too: what's the best way to clean the rotors before I install the new pads?
08-10-22, 08:27 AM
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I use isopropyl alcohol because I am retired and so have the time to do it often before they get bad and it does not leave anything on the surfaces. I also don't get anywhere near my rotors with a spray of any kind. A tiny bit of mist of a chain lube or general lube of any kind can give you a mess very quickly.
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08-10-22, 08:56 AM
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I use isopropyl alcohol because I am retired and so have the time to do it often before they get bad and it does not leave anything on the surfaces. I also don't get anywhere near my rotors with a spray of any kind. A tiny bit of mist of a chain lube or general lube of any kind can give you a mess very quickly.
08-10-22, 09:00 AM
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wish I could find that thread of mine from a cpl years ago ...
found it!
Last edited by rumrunn6; 08-10-22 at 09:09 AM.
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08-10-22, 09:02 AM
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We use steel wool first and follow up with alcohol leaving the rotors on the hub for easier holding of them and less time (but we do check the mounting hardware just in case
) Andy
) Andy
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