Best way to check worn brake pads

[AndyB_79]

Tried searching for this but no luck, sorry!!! I think my front brake pads need replacing but i'm not 100% it might just be me. What is the best (and easiest) way to see if they are worn and need replacing. Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[DrR]

Look at them?

 

[AndyB_79]

Yeah i've tried that but it I can't tell

 

[AndyB_79]

sorry i should say i can't quite see what i'm looking for

 

[DrR]

Brake pads look like this, one at the back is new, one at the front is worn away:

The disk brake will look like this

 

[AndyB_79]

thats absolutely spot on. cheers.

 

[TomTom]

Jack it up and take the wheels off to get a clear view.

 

[AndyB_79]

done it and they look like almost new. only had the car 3 monthes its first mot was in april at a renault dealer so no wonder the pads are new! so is it me just used to the brakes now or could it be sometihng else???

 

[DrR]

Whats wrong?

 

[AndyB_79]

the brakes just don't seem as responsive as they used to be, like this morning (they may have been a little damp) the first time i braked it felt like i had to really push on the pedal to stop at the junction

 

[DrR]

could just be the rust on them mine are like that first time i use them.

 

[AndyB_79]

lad at work suggested that. after i wash it should take it for a run really to dry out any water within the wheels to prevent the rust from forming in the first place. also he suggested to get up to a decent speed and brake hard to try and remove the rust??

 

[DrR]

Well whenever i wash my car the disks rust up and are pretty crap untill i've done some hard braking.

 

[AndyB_79]

hard braking it is then!!! cheers for your help

 

[Damski]

could try a bit of brake cleaner on them too if you hav got them contaminated they will go really poor

 

[AndyB_79]

literally just buy it and spray it on??