so i know how to change brakes, and my warning light just came on about 1/2 a mile from my house, but i have a couple of questions please.

1. will the light turn off when i replace the pads
2. do i have to replace the sensor when i replace the pads
3. what is the average time i can wait. EX- can i order some good aftermarket brakes pads, or do i need to go ahead and pick up the autozone speacials since its all that is in stock

the car has about 62.5k miles and no service history of brakes ever being replaced

thanks
chris

 

Did you check the brake fluid? It could be that simple.

Pad sensors. If they are tripped you can just strip the wire and tie them off. They just need to make a connection. Or you can buy the sensor for $18 ea.

How much time do you have to replace the pads? Just look. If there pad between the rotor and the backing plate, you are good for a while. The rule of thumb is you should replace pads when the pad depth is equal to the backing plate thickness (or less).

 

1. No. you need to buy the sensors to replace it... its not to expensive...
2. You do you can prevent this buy rotating the tires often and checking the pad thickness.
3.If the light is triggered not long...

 

To echo what silversmoke said.

1. Either buy a new sensor or clip the end off the used one and twist the ends together. You might end up doing this anyway as several aftermarket pads out there dont have provisions for the sensors. That doesnt make the pads bad or anything, all it means is that you need to keep an eye on the thickness of the pads.

2. See number above. In any event with some wheels (including the s-lite) you can see the front pad thickness just by looking through the spokes at the right angle.

3. The sensor is triggered at a point where you still have some life left on the pads. That said I would find pads that you want and order them as soon as you can.

 

order what you want asap. Make sure you have a caliper press tool (not a c-clamp) that will rotate the piston whilst compressing for the rears. Harbor Freight has the tool. Others have used needlenose pliers to rotate while using said c-clamp.

 

cool yeah the sensors im not to worried about have had 11 other cars with out them, i just usually check the brakes every 10-15k and needless to say ive only had the mini since feb, and i only put about 5k on it.

what i will probobly have to do is get the cheapo autozones, and save up some money for some better ones in a month or two, because after clutch/flywheel, unichip, and motormount, im all tapped out

thanks guys
chris

 

I dont think the stock pads are that expensive, why not just get those?

 

Or a low dust formula like Mintex Red Box for $50 an axel.

 

the ones from autozone are only 25, and im so horribly strapped for cash i cant get the other ones at the moment, maybe in about a month or so, and autozone is on my way home, the dealer is 40miles out of my way and i would have to try in 5oclock traffic to get there with in an hour before they close

 

Does a warning light come on that means the pads need replacing?

 

YES... when the light comes on they need to be replaced ... beter to beat the light and replace before it trips the sensor.


If you are running S lites (or other rims as well) you can use the depth reader on measuring calipers to actually measure the pad thicknes.
You need a starting point ... hopefully new pads... then line up the small hole with the pad in the caliper ... take that reading ...as your pads wear the reading will get bigger as the pads wear.

Just as easy to look at the pads

 

yeah mine was my fault i assumed they where changed already, and the dealer pads are $75 a set at my cost

 

You can get these on Ebay for around $60 for both front and rear. That's where I got mine. Great price ans fast shipping.

 

Just posted yesterday for sale ...on NAM

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=146179

 

Thanks, I figured it was just one of those scraper things that rubs and makes noise when the pad gets worn.

 

Brake system tidbits for newbies:

- The sensors came in a little after introduction...03 maybe. My 02 has no brake wear sensors (or a jack, or the rear seat emergency boot release for that matter)

- When fitted the sensors are on the left front and right rear wheels - not all 4 corners. In most cases the front sensor will be the one that was activated, since the front brakes usually wear so much faster.

- The sensor is essentally just a loop of wire encased in plastic held to the back of the pad. When the pad wears down the plastic contacts the rotor and also wears down until the wire gets broken. This causes an open circuit which causes the warning lite to come on. You must close the open circuit by either replacing the sensor or disecting it to tie the ends together. Don't just cut it off or remove it cuz that won't let the lite go out....

- MINI recommends replacing the rotors at the same time as the pads. Lots of discussion about that one, on par with trusting the computer for oil change interval. What I will say is changing the rotors at the same time only adds about 5 minutes per wheel....