Brake question, and am I looking at the right pad?

[super_copy]

Hi!

I need some guidance in inspecting the front brakes of my Corolla. I took off the tire, the disc looks OK, but the pads I'm really unsure about. Could I be allowed to post a 50 KB JPEG picture, and get an expert opinion on whether I'm inspecting the right areas?

How often do brake pads need replacement? I believe my pads are at least 0.25 inch thick (both outer and inner, as seen through caliper hole) after 100,000 miles; the brakes feel as good as they did when they were new. They've been mostly freeway miles, regular conmutes, no drag-racing, no towing heavy loads, or anything unusual. (Again, I'd feel much better if I could post that photo to make sure I was looking at the right areas.)

Thanks!

[PhatRoyale]

[IMG] Post the url of your picture here and close it [/ URL] (no space after the /)

[super_copy]

I don't have a web site, and cannot supply an external URL where this picture can be retrieved. I request attaching the picture to this thread right here on ToyotaNation. Currently my permissions say "you may NOT post attachments", I'd like to know how to get that changed.

[vibebreaker]

you should make a free account on photobucket.com. there's tons of free image hosting websites out there. my sig and all other pictures are from photobucket ever since i got rid of my own domain.

[PhatRoyale]

Originally Posted by super_copy

Currently my permissions say "you may NOT post attachments", I'd like to know how to get that changed.

That only refers to file attachments, which I have yet to see on TN.

If there's anything weird or wrong going on, then PM a mod.

[kyle@tirerack]

If there is a 1/4 of an inch left across the pad and backing plate, it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace. It may help to look at the overall thickness of a new pad for comparison. Overall thickness on a replacement pad would be roughly 17mm for the Corolla. Let me know if I can help.

[super_copy]

Hello,

I've posted the picture at:
http://www.yousendit.com/download/TE...NmN0QTAwTVE9PQ
Just a JPEG file, 51 KB.

What I want to know is, the "thing" that I've marked as being (probably a bit more than) 0.25" thick, is that the brake pad I should be examining? (I also looked at the inner pad through the hole in the caliper, but could not take a picture without doing more surgery.)

Thanks for your comments.

[kyle@tirerack]

The section you have marked is the pad surface.

[touringcamry]

Yes, that is the pad or friction material that you want to check. With 0.25" remaining, you are still good for a while. Just keep an eye on it. You can generally run it down to about 0.125" and still be ok. I wouldn't run them beyond that though.

For future reference, you can use http://www.imageshack.us or http://www.photobucket.com for hosting photos that will appear in the thread. They will not require users to download the file before viewing as with yousendit.com

[super_copy]

Kyle and TouringCamry:
Thanks for your help and advice.