When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Not a huge deal, but changed my brakes yesterday. Did rotors and pads in all 4 corners. I didn't get any notification about my brakes being bad(I knew ahead of time they needed changing from the previous owner) but you can see in the pic the rears were down to 2mm haha. At what point does the sensor give notifications?
Not a huge deal, but changed my brakes yesterday. Did rotors and pads in all 4 corners. I didn't get any notification about my brakes being bad(I knew ahead of time they needed changing from the previous owner) but you can see in the pic the rears were down to 2mm haha. At what point does the sensor give notifications?
When my Check Brake Pad warning light came on I drove it to the Dealership (believe the next day) were the front brake pads and rotors were replaced. The Invoice noted that the front brake pads were low at 2mm.
Not a huge deal, but changed my brakes yesterday. Did rotors and pads in all 4 corners. I didn't get any notification about my brakes being bad(I knew ahead of time they needed changing from the previous owner) but you can see in the pic the rears were down to 2mm haha. At what point does the sensor give notifications?
2mm-2.5mm
There is only one sensor per axle so if there was uneven wear left to right it could mean the side with the sensor has not worn far enough yet. On my W166 the outer pads wore faster than the inner pads, with slight (1mm) difference left wheel vs right wheel.
The sensor normally hits the rotor at about 3 MM pad remaining. As already commented, inner/outer pads can wear differently though, IMO, that should never be more than about 1 MM difference.
Now all that assumes you're not running on the track. My multiple experiences in a C63 S were that the sensors don't work on the track ... they're destroyed by the heat and give no indication. The first time that happened, I hit the metal backing pads ... still stops very well, BTW (and badly scores the rotors rather rapidly ... du-oh). Just did front pads in my GTR Pro and see that the sensor was also falling apart (crumbling), so it looks like they simply can't take much heat.
superswiss: ever had any issues with the sensors from the heat generated on your canyon runs? I have TiKT brake-cooling ducts on the GTR so was surprised to see the sensors crumbling (for CCB safety, I replaced the pads with over 4 MM at the sensor points).
There is only one sensor so if there was uneven wear left to right it could mean the side with the sensor has not worn far enough yet. On my W166 the outer pads wore faster than the inner pads, with slight (1mm) difference left wheel vs right wheel.
Makes sense! Guessing it was probably right on the edge.
The sensor normally hits the rotor at about 3 MM pad remaining. As already commented, inner/outer pads can wear differently though, IMO, that should never be more than about 1 MM difference.
Now all that assumes you're not running on the track. My multiple experiences in a C63 S were that the sensors don't work on the track ... they're destroyed by the heat and give no indication. The first time that happened, I hit the metal backing pads ... still stops very well, BTW (and badly scores the rotors rather rapidly ... du-oh). Just did front pads in my GTR Pro and see that the sensor was also falling apart (crumbling), so it looks like they simply can't take much heat.
superswiss: ever had any issues with the sensors from the heat generated on your canyon runs? I have TiKT brake-cooling ducts on the GTR so was surprised to see the sensors crumbling (for CCB safety, I replaced the pads with over 4 MM at the sensor points).
Nah no track time for me really. I took it to the drag strip when my friend rented out the track, but besides that just summer daily driving with a few spirited 60-130 runs haha
In the past with other cars, the sensors tripped at about 3 mm, but with these cars they don't seem to trip until about 2 mm. Always good to pay attention to the inspection report when the car is serviced to get an idea of how much life is left on the pads. For me, the pads start squealing when they are close to where the sensor should trip. That's my early warning to replace the brakes.
Originally Posted by user33
superswiss: ever had any issues with the sensors from the heat generated on your canyon runs? I have TiKT brake-cooling ducts on the GTR so was surprised to see the sensors crumbling (for CCB safety, I replaced the pads with over 4 MM at the sensor points).
Good question. I just had my brakes replaced about a month ago w/o the sensors going off. According to the last inspection, the rears were down to 2 mm and as said they did their usually squealing, so I knew I needed to replace them. So maybe the sensor was fused. My indy didn't say anything. The sensor is just a piece of wire that wears through eventually, but if there's enough brake dust and what not, it could still close the loop, so it's really more of a last resort kinda thing than something to rely on.
In the past with other cars, the sensors tripped at about 3 mm, but with these cars they don't seem to trip until about 2 mm. Always good to pay attention to the inspection report when the car is serviced to get an idea of how much life is left on the pads. For me, the pads start squealing when they are close to where the sensor should trip. That's my early warning to replace the brakes.
Good question. I just had my brakes replaced about a month ago w/o the sensors going off. According to the last inspection, the rears were down to 2 mm and as said they did their usually squealing, so I knew I needed to replace them. So maybe the sensor was fused. My indy didn't say anything. The sensor is just a piece of wire that wears through eventually, but if there's enough brake dust and what not, it could still close the loop, so it's really more of a last resort kinda thing than something to rely on.
Funny you mention that. My brakes would squeak all the time, was so damn annoying. Thats the main reason I got them changed out haha
Those sensors are supposed to fire in an emergency in case the squealing, scored rotors, and heat soak were completely not sending you any clues. The last 25% of the pad wears pretty quickly but hey you paid for the whole pad you gotta use the whole pad!
that one side looks real thin but the other side looks like it's about to trip the sensor any minute now. that a neat brake pad depth gauge. I usually recommend replacement when they're thinner than the backing plate. there just isn't enough heat sink left when they're that thin.
⏱️ 700HP Facelift converted C63 S Coupe with Drexler 3.06 plated LSD
Originally Posted by Joshmkb24
Not a huge deal, but changed my brakes yesterday. Did rotors and pads in all 4 corners. I didn't get any notification about my brakes being bad(I knew ahead of time they needed changing from the previous owner) but you can see in the pic the rears were down to 2mm haha. At what point does the sensor give notifications?
2mm but there is only one sensor per axle. Nice pad gauge man
... The sensor is just a piece of wire that wears through eventually, ...
Yeah, on my (tracked) C63 S I resorted to making/using a dummy sensor ... AKA shorted terminals on old sensor plug. It also taught me to check brake-pad wear regularly during track days. $;-))
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
