Another Brake Thread (I'm Sorry)

[Deadly0ne]

Looking for some information/advice, as I am likely being overly paranoid. Before an upcoming HPDE day, I took a look at my front brake pads, and I have about 0.3125in. / 8mm left. When I started to think about it, I've gotten 5 track days out of these pads, and started to wonder if I would be better off swapping in another set of pads prior to the event. I am within the guidelines for the event (1/4" thickness or greater), but wanted to make sure I wasn't setting myself up for any issues during the event. Both sides and both the inner and outer pads are wearing evenly.

How low does everyone run their pads down to before changing? How thick are the front OEM pads brand new?

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[Aonarch]

Slapping on new pads is cheap and easy since you are sticking with OEM.

If you were running expensive race pads, I'd check the manufacturer specs on starting thickness and do some math.

When is the last time you changed your brake fluid?

 

[Deadly0ne]

Slapping on new pads is cheap and easy since you are sticking with OEM.

If you were running expensive race pads, I'd check the manufacturer specs on starting thickness and do some math.

When is the last time you changed your brake fluid?

I figured it was some cheap insurance - I can always swap back afterwards. I'm changing the brake fluid before I head out!

 

[GTP]

8mm left is a LOT of pad left, IMO. Heck, they start at 10mm, so you got 5 days from 2mm wear. IIRC, I wear about 1/2mm per day. I brake close to the threshold spot.

My protocol is to always have a new set on hand at the track. When my pad thickness gets borderline, I may try to get one more day, depending on the track. If I worry that it is not enough for a weekend, then I demote the thin pads either to use as emergency backup, or else put them on for an upcoming single day.

And of course, for a track weekend I can always inspect them at the end of the day and have sufficient time for a pad change before the following day.

The only other aspect to consider is that the thin pad can run hotter and wear faster. There is not as much material to handle the heat, nor to remain as "insulated" from the hot rotor.

And No, I don't feel like I am behaving risky.

I also measure and document the pad thickness with blue tape and marker on the backing plates.

 

[GTP]

I figured it was some cheap insurance - I can always swap back afterwards. I'm changing the brake fluid before I head out!

You could also just bleed a little at each caliper. Check for bubbles and color. I run ATE200 and don't change it out all that often.

Consider adding my brake vanes up front - they lower rotor temps by ~100F!

 

[NightmareMoon]

I would absolutely bleed the brake lines a bit before a track day.

If you have at least half of the original pad thickness (measuring the pad material, not the backing plate) and your brake fluid is not too old you should be ok. If the fluid is getting old, flush it or at least bleed each caliper.

 

[Ewheels]

It's kind of a personal preference, to a degree. I hear most organizers say 50% pad material or more. I know some people that will wear them down to the metal backing plates. Others change much more frequently. It all depends on your risk tolerance and wallet size.

I have been judging when to change pads based on heat tolerance. When there is less pad material, they heat soak quicker.
When I seem to cook the brakes more easily, that tells me my pads are shot.


For fluid, I always do a hefty bleed before every event. Might be overkill but seems like a safe habit to have. I use RBF600 which isn't all that expensive anyway.

 

[HeelToeHero]

I won't start a track day with less than 50% on my oem pads. I keep the old ones as back up and the price of OEM pads has dropped a lot.
New performance pack pads are 10mm of friction material and 0.25in backing plate.

 

[SBR70.3]

Brakes are by far the most important part of your car when on track. Not even close. Yes....swap them. I blew through a fresh set of PowerStop "extreme street" pads in one day at the track. Ya, ya, ya, I know....those suck at the track, but I was young and didn't know better. I now use G-Loc pads for my Mach 1 and love them. Highly recommend.


The very very very very very last thing you want to have happen is enter a sharp turn while trying to brake from 110+mph and find out your brakes are down to the backing plate. Ask me how I know.

I would at least bring a new set of pads to the track, in case yours start to scare you. Swapping pads in these cars is super easy.

 

[Deadly0ne]

Thank you everyone for your advice and insight! I'll have some extra pads with me just in case and I'll see how the first session or two goes.

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