Brakes longevity, front and rear - ballpark average lifespan

[dspace9]

Hi Forum Folks,

I have around 60,000 km's on my Mirage's front discs, and 139,000 on my rear drums. I really can't judge if my brakes are almost done or not. Will I hear a grinding noise so I know they're on their way out? They don't make any noise (except in damp rainy days) and work perfect. I made fast stop from 70 km's an hour to 0 today - real quick, and my Mirage didn't squeal, and did the job perfect. Stopped on a dime, no fuss, no messiness.

Any help is appreciated thanks.

[Fummins]

You can't check you brakes with your ears. You must use the thing between them along with your eyeballs.

I see front pads wear out between 40,000 and 100,000kms. Sometimes longer. Mine have almost 40,000kms and they'll probably last another year or two. I've seen rear brakes last as long as 300,000kms.

[dspace9]

Ok thanks. Hopefully my brakes are still good for a while yet then. I don't need another expense lol.

At the same time, I think I might have my brakes inspected at my local mechanic. They will give me an honest opinion.They helped me with my pathetic wiper installation problem for free. How universal are the brakes on the Mirage?

I do some basic stuff around the house, but when it comes to my car, I leave it to experts like yourself. I'm not confident my brain can store any more information anyways. Though I want to get a collector car to learn.

[MirageRally]

You can't check you brakes with your ears. You must use the thing between them along with your eyeballs.
I see front pads wear out between 40,000 and 100,000kms. Sometimes longer. Mine have almost 40,000kms and they'll probably last another year or two. I've seen rear brakes last as long as 300,000kms.

Drum brakes aren't used as much on the car...But the front brakes are and take more wear than the rear...Also depends on your driving style...
You can tell if then need replaced...listen to the metal screeching when the pads are worn completely and it's warping the rotors.

[Fummins]

Ok thanks. Hopefully my brakes are still good for a while yet then. I don't need another expense lol.

At the same time, I think I might have my brakes inspected at my local mechanic. They will give me an honest opinion.They helped me with my pathetic wiper installation problem for free. How universal are the brakes on the Mirage?

I do some basic stuff around the house, but when it comes to my car, I leave it to experts like yourself. I'm not confident my brain can store any more information anyways. Though I want to get a collector car to learn.

Front brakes are easy to replace and to inspect. I find the rh front tends to wear a hair faster on these cars. If you can change a tire you can inspect your front brakes. Look at them and see how much pad material is left on the inner and outter pad. Post a few pics.

[fc321]

Buy one of these brake feeler guages for $8

https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Brake-Lin.../dp/B01181BC1U

And you can get an accurate knowledge of how much life is left in them. You cant always count on hearing the screeching sound because sometimes that metal tab breaks off and you wont hear any squeel. Also if you are in no hurry buy it on ebay direct from China its like $3 or so

[daleWV]

I really can't judge if my brakes are almost done or not. Will I hear a grinding noise so I know they're on their way out?

The OEM front brake pads (and most replacement pads) are equipped with wear indicators on the inner pads, the ones that the pistons press directly upon. These usually wear a little faster than the outer pads. The indicators consist of a steel clip attached to the edge of the pad and the edge of the clip will rub on the rotor when the pad is just about worn clear out. It will make a high pitched squealing noise when you step on the brakes but they aren't very loud. You pretty much need to have the window rolled down to hear them in most cases. You probably have about a thousand miles or less of life in the pads when you first hear the indicators.

[dspace9]

Thanks for the info daleVW. I will have a look/listen. I'm not hearing any squealing at all.

[Top_Fuel]

Super-Basic Quick Mirage Brake Check

(there's more to a thorough check than this...but this is a good start)


Jack up the car and remove a front wheel. This is what you'll be looking at...




See where the red circle is below? That's where you're outer disc brake pad is...




Now take a close-up look at the area inside the red circle. It will look like this...




Notice the area between the two red lines below...



This is the friction material of the brake pad (the part that wears down). Once the friction material of the brake pad wears down to about the thickness of a nickel, you need to service the front brakes.

[dspace9]

Thanks Top Fuel, that is a super helpful guide actually. Just goes to show how much you can explain, when done right.