How to measure brake pad thickness?

2003 TOYOTA COROLLA
185,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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PHENRIKSEN
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It seems that there is general agreement that the brake pads should be changed ASAP when their thickness go below 1/8 of an inch, and doing it soon when it gets below 1/4 of an inch.

Is this correct, and how is it measured? Is the 1/4 of an inch the thickness of the friction pad, or the friction pad plus the lining/backing?
May 30, 2009 at 8:56 PM
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MMPRINCE4000
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Most pads have wear indicators on them. But I would generally change them at 1/4 inch.

The situation you want to avoid is to let them wear to the point that they cause rotor grooves, or other wear.

Decent pads are generally $20 or so, and Wagner or other high end pads with wear warranty's are in the $40-60 range, I could tell you some story's about brake pads/rotor wear :) .

The measurement is pad, not pad and backing.
Mar 29, 2021 at 10:38 AM