Front Pads - Life Expectancy?

[Paul99]

Hi,

At 60,000 miles service was told front pads are 75% worn (i.e. only 25% left). Pads were replaced at 50,000 mile service. Would you expect them to last longer than this? Most journeys are A roads/motorways and the pads on my previous car (same sort of journeys) seemed to last 'forever'. Any suggestions for longer lasting pads that don't wear the disc out as well?

TX3 2.0L Diesel 5 door Jan 07 'facelift'.

Thanks

Paul

[buzlby]

Hi Paul

I would suggest something is seriously wrong to only get 10,000 miles before 25% left. Are you a very heavy braker - are the pads stuck on (feel if the tyres are warm / calipers very hot), or were they competition type pads.

Of course it could be that there is an incentive to the mechanic to change the pads...........

Hope this helps

Buzby

[daveybee]

Hi, I had a 2004 2.0 T-Spirt D-4D for six and bit years and that ate brakes, both pads and disks! I did 55k miles and it had two sets of pads and a set of disks (with an intermediate skim to the front disks). I'm not heavy on brakes - or at least I didn't have a history until I got the Avensis!

Dave.

[Duffryn]

At my 2007 1.8's last service (Nov 2010 @ 31859 miles) was told the front pads were 60% worn, with slight lipping to discs. Meanwhile the wifes' 1991 Corolla still on originals @ 58K miles.....

[Druid Boy]

75% of pads consumed in 10k miles = something wrong. Presuming that you are not a rally driver then it could be:

1. The pads weren't changed when you thought they were. Not necessarily an intentional rip off, perhaps an oversight by the mechanic who forgot to change them.

2. The replacement pads were cheapo ones like the drive-in tyre centres use and simply wore out really quick (the Kwik fit pads on my company car caught fire whereas the genuine Ford ones didn't).

3. Something wrong with your brake set up. Drive normally or genlty for a few miles and then see how hot the discs are (or jack the car up and check the wheels rotate freely).

4. An over-estimate of the amount of pad consumed either to err on the side of caution or to encourage you to replace them. Have a look at them yourself or get a second opinion.

My '06 T3-S Toyota branded pads were manufactured by Bosch - and can therefore be bought for less than Toyota charge if you go direct to Bosch.

Good luck