Does it last another 3 months before it gets really risky? Also at what point do brakes start squeaking (assuming they’re clean)? I know 2 mm is almost the time to service but was wondering how far I can go with it safely. THanks.
Driving’s fine. It’s the STOPPING that will be a problem.
ladybugewa | May 16, 2008
Brake pads usually have a metal strip that will rub against the rotor when the pad gets low. This is an indicator to change your brake pads. If there is no indicator I would change them as soon as I could. 2mm is not much at all
nufoundcorey | May 16, 2008
You are past the practical safety limits.
I’ve change many brake pads and I’ve never waited till they were that thin. Any money you save (few dollars waiting) you are risking the cost of the whole car and your life.
Your brakes should have started squeaking long time ago.
Good Luck… (WOW)
Helper | May 16, 2008
you could drive until the heat and stress makes the lining separate from the backing plate, or break up and jam the wheel, or overheat and stop working, or just wear down to the metal and scour the c*** out of your disc or drum-which will require remachining/replacement thereafter. Continue even further, and you may weld the backing plate to the disc/drum, seizing the wheel completely, and possibly permanently, and causing loss of control-with all its attendancies.
friedach | May 16, 2008
honestly for a long time. i had an S-10, and i remember i hadnt changed the brakes in a long time and so when i took off the caliper and took out the pad, i had noticed it had worn down the rotor. it actually grinded down the darn thing, and the pad was nice and shiny. which isnt what you want at all. so to answer your question, if it doesnt sqeak with the indicator that tells you when to replace it, do it now. that is way to close for comfort. i know. i had to use my e-brake to stop before i decided to change my pads on my truck.
Dan C | May 16, 2008
As others have said 2mm is almost nothing and already below the minimum. It’s also the observed thickness and due to variations in caliper design this may mean that another unseen part of the pad is even thinner and about to start
damaging your discs (US=rotors).
I won’t repeat the advice of others but one further danger of having pads this thin is that the brake pad can sometimes end up getting thrown out of the caliper completely under braking and once this happens you have to get towed home. If you’re very lucky, the thrown pad won’t destroy something else or hit another road user as it flies out.
The answer to your question "how far can I go with it safely?" is "nowhere". Get the pads changed immediately or stop using the car until you can afford to do it, it’s a cheap and relatively easy job if you ask someone to show you how to do it.
Bear in mind that if you have an accident the insurers might not pay if your car is in an unroadworthy condition, especially if they learn that you knew this beforehand.
Robsteriark | May 16, 2008
You will be able to drive right up to the scene of the accident.
Tim V | May 16, 2008
I would highly recommend you to change it as soon as possible, preferably this very moment. If you continue to drive w/out changing your pads, you’ll end up damaging your brake system. If your pads only have 2mm of brake materials left and in a situation where you have to initiate a sudden stop, your pads may fail and the backing plate might actually bite onto your rotors and scar it.. even warp the rotors itself which means a larger repair fee.
With all that aside, use common and safe driving sense. You are endangering your own life as well as other motorist and pedestrians. Drive safe and please change all your brake pads as soon as possible!
jayeeyee | May 16, 2008
Uncategorized | alanperry1963 | October 31, 2009 | 
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