Brake Pad Light

[ncburch22]

Sensor just tripped. How long do you typically have before its metal on metal? I've got the parts. My luck, needing to go on a trip tomorrow morning. Won't be able to replace in time

 

[umbertob]

The shop manual will tell you that the sensor trips when you have approximately 20-25% of pad life left, so there should be plenty of meat to take a trip and back. In the real world, that's not quite an exact science. Only 2 pads (1 on each axle) are monitored by those sensors, out of 8. If they wear unevenly - as it is often the case - you may either have nothing to worry about for a few thousand miles more, or be dangerously close to chew through your discs. If you were starting to grind metal, you'd feel it in the pedal, trust me... I have been in that situation before, and the sensor on the outer pad didn't even trip. I learned the hard way not to rely on those things, and check my pads often with my own eyes... Don't worry about it though, have a nice trip but take care of it asap when you are back in town.

 

[jwest]

Sensor just tripped. How long do you typically have before its metal on metal? I've got the parts. My luck, needing to go on a trip tomorrow morning. Won't be able to replace in time

Birch, when did you get a 4? FYI, I have now over 50,000 miles on this brake set, pads and rotors might actually be near 70,000. I need to check. Seems long for the pads even with how I drive. I don't stop for much no seriously I just ease up to stops that are obviously coming.

 

[ncburch22]

Thanks guys. I checked the pads this morning before leaving. They have about 6mm left. Doesn't sound like much but the shop manual states the minimal is 3mm. I'll have them replaced this week. @jwest I sold my 3 years ago. Drove an Infiniti and a Suburban for 4.5 years. Nothing compares to the feel of a LR in IMO. Picked up my 4 in December. Post buy inspection stated it would need brakes "soon". Again, this was in December. I picked up front/rear sets of EBC carbon rotors with Hawk LTS pads. Wasn't sure if I'd need new clips or not, but picked those up for $20 or so from British Parts of Utah. Waiting for the sensors to arrive from Amazon(Beck Arnely $33) and I'll have them put on. Dealer wanted $1100. Got the rotors and pads for $387. And from other reviews on them they're slightly better than OEM. We'll see.

 

[jwest]

Nice, DIY or local shop? Flying Circus has been my shop since 2000. Apparently electric parking brake adjustment is tricky I've read?

 

[ncburch22]

@jwest I planned on doing it myself as I've done them on other vehicles before, but I'm not too familiar with the parking break adjustment and setting steps. I'll be taking it to Duffy's Garage. They're an excellent Indy shop. I steer clear of dealerships. Even with my extended warranty if things need fixing. I suppose I could do the front brakes and save me $90 or so, but may as well have it done on a lift. 1.5-2hr labor charge isn't that bad IMO.

 

[jwest]

Never heard of Duffy's but just remember a Flying Circus is English autos specialists. If someone does not actually already 'know' about the rear parking brake trickiness, I wouldn't want them learning on my car let us know results !

 

[mbw]

If you are really careful you don't have to mess with the parking brake at all. When I did my rears I just was careful and didn't move things around much. Didn't have to do anything for the ebrake.

 

[jwest]

If you are really careful you don't have to mess with the parking brake at all. When I did my rears I just was careful and didn't move things around much. Didn't have to do anything for the ebrake.

Really? So why do we hear it's so finicky then? Did you replace rotors and pads?
I'm eager to find this is less of an issue than I'd expected.

 

[pabs406]

I recently had my father in law replace my rear brakes. He didn't have to mess around with the ebrake.