When to replace brake pads?
 

I've had squealing from the front brakes for about 3k miles.

5k miles ago my dealership when I brought it in for service said all four pads were down 50%.

Do I need to just get new front pads? Or all around? My car has a total of 31k miles on the stock pads.

what type of driving do you do? Auto-x, track days?

My breaks have been squeeking since i've owned the car (About 3 months and 3k miles).. When i brought the car to Mazda for an oil change, he said that i had 60% left so the breaks are fine.. It's so annoying everytime i break to hear that sqeeking.. I'm starting to think the OEM ones are all like this.. anyone else??

the oems were like that and there's a tsb to get them replaced for a new type that doesn't squeal.

also ceramic replacements will help with that as well

i replaced my stock pads with hawk ceramic -- helped a lot with the dusting. About 1K miles ago my front pads were shot and noticed HORRIBLE sqealing, and when coming to stops sometimes a metal on metal GRINDING noise. took it to mazda and needed a brake job, machine the rotors, did a brake flush, new pads.

Yes the brakes squeal on our car but if you hear a grinding noise get it checked out.

Yes, there is a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) regarding the OEM brakes. Here's a link to Rosenthal Arlington Mazda website about the squeal:

http://www.mstore2000.com/PDF_Files/04-001-06-1568.pdf

My front brakes squealed LOUD at 14,000 miles. I took the TSB to my local Mazda dealer and they replaced the pads and hardware at no cost to me. No more squeal, and it's been almost a 1000 miles since then. Oh, they may say something like the TSB is only good for cars with less than 12K miles. But if you respond nicely that the pads on a $30,000 car should last longer (like I did), they probably will do the fix -- especially if you stand there with a copy of the TSB in your hands.

When these are worn and need to be replaced (and I have to pay for it), I probably will install the the Hawk ceramic pads. But for now, this free fix using the TSB warranty was great.

I have about 40k miles on my car.. so basically i'm screwed huh?

Dunno. If you have worked at building a good personal relationship with your local Mazda Shop, they may help you out. Anything is possible. Worth a try.

Maybe you could work out a deal -- like they replace the hardware and you pay for new pads? Print off the TSB mentioned above and take it in to the Mazda Shop. See what happens. All they can say is "no." Try a second or third time (nicely) if the "no" is too quick without listening to you. Make your case. Let us know what happens.

Actually it is possible to stop the original pad set from squealing by servicing the pads correctly,ie remove pads,clean pads,hardware and sliders,lubricate with proper lubricants.
In any event you do not need to change the pads until you are down to about 1/8inch of friction material if you drive normally.

Brakes
 

If you do change your brake pads, I would recommend Satisfied brake pads. Their Pro ceramic series have a grid lock design that eliminates torque shear and heat separation. Not only are the quiet and low dusting, but they stop better than stock pads. They always advertise on Speed Channel's show "Two Guys Garage". Just my two cents worth.

Search the forums for posts on "bedding in" the brake pads. There are links to an article that describes the process in depth. Basically it is a series of controlled high-performance braking maneuvers which raises the temperature of the pads and rotor sufficiently high to change the materials and surfaces. The result is improved braking performance and reduced or eliminated squeal.

a) its going to be a hard sell to get new brake pads under a TSB with 31k miles on your pads

b) 50% pad life should still be acceptable... probably the pads are just glazed over and need to be bedded

c) the rear pads wear less then the fronts, so they are probably fine

d) I wore out my OEM pads at about the same mileage and like my Hawk replacement pads.

http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm

beers :beer: