This brake pad looks good, right? (pic)

**atlas** · 2011-07-12 03:22 PM

Thought for sure my brake pads (fronts at least) needed to be changed, but I just removed the front passenger side pad (and this is the first time I ever done this before to any car) and thought... "this doesn't look too bad". I measured the complete thickness (pad + the metal slab the pad is connected to) and it's 0.555". Hard to measure exactly the thickness of just the pad using a caliper, but it looks about 0.33". These are the original pads on my 2001 and she's got about 48000kms (29000miles). Here's a pic:

This brake pad looks good, right? (pic)-oldfrontbrakepad.jpg

If this pad is okay, I just reassemble everything? No need to compress the piston using the c-clamp?

Thanks!

**aboythatskates** · 2011-07-12 03:42 PM

that looks good. all it uses when u brake is that stuff on the metal. u can drive til its gone but not really advised. pretty much change brakes when there are problems with them or when that "brake" material is almost gone

**aboythatskates** · 2011-07-12 03:44 PM

and about the piston. u might not need to if the pads will fit over the rotor. if u cant fit them on then ul need to compress it

**sonza68** · 2011-07-12 05:03 PM

There is plenty of life left in the pad. As for compressing the piston, I would compress it a little just to make it easier to get the caliper back on. You could probably do it without compressing the piston, but you may end up fighting to get everything aligned just right for the caliper to fit back on.

**atlas** · 2011-07-12 09:29 PM

Thanks everyone! I reinstalled the pads and tried without compressing the piston and they went back on with ease. I checked the other side and it was exactly the same diameter 0.555". You guys are awesome!