Break pads - how do find if they need replacement

[Kisu_san]

Hello,

I have a dumb question. Today I took my car to local garage for winter tyre change and mechanic told me I need break pad/rotors replacement.

And also said there is a rubber boot back of the disk, close to shock absorber is also worn out.

I don't have any warning signs on the dashboard. I bought the car when it was 100k kms and now it is close to 130k KMs. I don't know when the previous owner changed break pad/disks.

My breaks working ok. I did not notice any noise. a year ago another local garage guy make rotors(disks) sharpen on lathe machine, I dont know if that is good thing to do.

BMW E53 X5 3.0i 2002.12 Euro model. Miles - 130K kms

1. Is it always you get the break pad worn out warnings
2. Does anyone know if this model car equipped with these sensors?
3. Would it be needed to change the break pads before warning lights goes off.

thanks in advance

[pnoyako85]

Originally Posted by Kisu_san

Hello,

I have a dumb question. Today I took my car to local garage for winter tyre change and mechanic told me I need break pad/rotors replacement.

And also said there is a rubber boot back of the disk, close to shock absorber is also worn out.

I don't have any warning signs on the dashboard. I bought the car when it was 100k kms and now it is close to 130k KMs. I don't know when the previous owner changed break pad/disks.

My breaks working ok. I did not notice any noise. a year ago another local garage guy make rotors(disks) sharpen on lathe machine, I dont know if that is good thing to do.

BMW E53 X5 3.0i 2002.12 Euro model. Miles - 130K kms

1. Is it always you get the break pad worn out warnings
2. Does anyone know if this model car equipped with these sensors?
3. Would it be needed to change the break pads before warning lights goes off.

thanks in advance

1 not unless your rubbing on the sensors you won't get error message code
2 ebay should have it or r1concepts.com
3 if you wear pads to metal then you'll need sensors also but rule of thumb when you do your pads and rotors you changed your sensors as well since your in the area already.

[upallnight]

Are we talking about the same thing???
Fraud report, Yeah Frog report
Fraud??? Yeah Frog

Bad brakes, Yeah bad breaks

Brakes right Yeah Breaks.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Are we talking about the same thing???
Fraud report, Yeah Frog report
Fraud??? Yeah Frog

Bad brakes, Yeah bad breaks

Brakes right Yeah Breaks.

Depends--is this an answer to his question?

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Kisu_san

Hello,

I have a dumb question. Today I took my car to local garage for winter tyre change and mechanic told me I need break pad/rotors replacement.

And also said there is a rubber boot back of the disk, close to shock absorber is also worn out.

I don't have any warning signs on the dashboard. I bought the car when it was 100k kms and now it is close to 130k KMs. I don't know when the previous owner changed break pad/disks.

My breaks working ok. I did not notice any noise. a year ago another local garage guy make rotors(disks) sharpen on lathe machine, I dont know if that is good thing to do.

BMW E53 X5 3.0i 2002.12 Euro model. Miles - 130K kms

1. Is it always you get the break pad worn out warnings
2. Does anyone know if this model car equipped with these sensors?
3. Would it be needed to change the break pads before warning lights goes off.

thanks in advance

Yes, your X5 has brake pad sensors. There should be no need to replace pads if brake pad warning on dash is not lit. If your X is stopping normally and not making any grinding noises pads are most likely fine. You can do a visual check to verify the pads are still good. Mechanic can show you that without taking them off.

If you do need new pads. I don't suggest re-facing the rotors, certainly not a second time. They are not that thick new and new rotors are not that expensive.

I'm guessing but the rubber boot that needs replacing could be CV joint boot. If that is the case there will likely be grease thrown around that area. The mechanic can show you that also. Both visual checks can be done without even putting your vehicle on a hoist.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Depends--is this an answer to his question?

Depends, is his question about breaks or brakes.

[Doru]

Answers below:

Originally Posted by Kisu_san

Hello,

I have a dumb question. Today I took my car to local garage for winter tyre change and mechanic told me I need break pad/rotors replacement.

And also said there is a rubber boot back of the disk, close to shock absorber is also worn out.
if it's #5 in the pic below, change it ASAP, otherwise you will also change the halfshaft ($$$):

I don't have any warning signs on the dashboard. I bought the car when it was 100k kms and now it is close to 130k KMs. I don't know when the previous owner changed break pad/disks.

My breaks working ok. I did not notice any noise. a year ago another local garage guy make rotors(disks) sharpen on lathe machine, I dont know if that is good thing to do.

BMW E53 X5 3.0i 2002.12 Euro model. Miles - 130K kms

1. Is it always you get the break pad worn out warnings
Once the pads wear out to the "safety" limit, the sensor gets tripped (worn out by the disk when braking) and you get the message on the dash
2. Does anyone know if this model car equipped with these sensors?
These cars have 2 sensors: One front (driver side) and one rear (passenger side) - very easy to replace when replacing worn brakes.
3. Would it be needed to change the break pads before warning lights goes off.
I wouldn't. Once the sensor is tripped, you still have a few thousand Km before the pad compound wears to the metal. Best thing, every time you change the wheels (winter/summer) - so twice a year to thoroughly inspect every brake & suspension component. You can easily see how worn the brake pads are. Also, you can test with your fingers to see how "good" the disks are. If you feel a pronounced lip on it where the pads stop making contact with the disk, you "should" also replace the disks. You could turn them, but if they are below a certain thickness after they are turned, they are no good. Disks aren't that expensive.

thanks in advance

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Depends, is his question about breaks or brakes.

There is no need for a lesson or to try to lessen OP. Would be nice if you had thrown out a suggestion rather than talk down from your throne. Your comments seem to be rehearsed by rote rather than something you wrote to be helpful.

[Joshdub]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Depends, is his question about breaks or brakes.

Don't be a dick. His profile shows that he is from Switzerland. English is probably not his first language.

Also you post needs either a question mark or you need to rephrase it to a statement. If you are going to harass someone, at the very least get your own stuff sorted out.

[Johnny_5]

You could technically wait for the brake warning message on dash which I believe most people do and than replace the rotors (or resurface), pads and sensors or you can eye it. I usually just go around and inspect the pads. Usually I replace them prior to getting the lights but that's me.