When to replace Disc Pads

faceplant77

I have Avid Juicy 3 Disc Brakes, I a Specialized Rock Hopper Comp and still have the original disc pads in. The rear pads are not as responsive as tehy used to be, even after bleeding. They are near enough to the retainer clip.


SuperStar components sell replacement pads for £22.99 for a set of 4 pairs.

At what point do you know when to replace the pads.

Ransaka

When you pull the level and not much happens I'd replace them.

weeksy59

there's 2 times really.

1. When there's no sintered compound left
2. When they feel crap (because they've been contaminated by cleaning products) even when they should feel great.

Sounds to me like you've reached option 2.

diy

When they are close enough to the retainer clip for the clip to catch the disc and your clip to either wear, or fall out, shortly followed by your brake pad.

if they have lasted this long, I'd go for kevlar, since you probably don't do much bad weather riding.

TickTockTick

When you dribble oil over them like a twat.. in my case..

Ruined at least 4 sets that way....

I can wake up a set of pads by cleaning them in alcohol...

I go for cheapest pads I can find.. ones in the sale.. though Superstar give me the eeby jeebies because of past quality issues.. having said that, I understand that they are now good pads.

Last pads I picked up, I bought about 6 sets.. CLARKS from CRC.. not sure if thet are still on offer or not, but I got them for about 5.99 per pair in the sale..

faceplant77

Thanks, I do clean the bike alot, especially recently after riding out in heavy mud. I have been using teflon spray around the bike, would that have reduced the effect of the pads.

I didn't realise that oils and fluids reduce the life of the pads. What is the best way to clean them if they do get contaminated, or are they wasted after this.

What is the difference between the Kevlar and the Sintered pads, I do sometime ride in the mud but I mostly ride dusty trails. I just want something to stop me, I have to admit that the Avid Juicy 3's aren't as good as entry level Shimano that I used to have on my Giant, so I want something that will give reliable stopping power.

andrewyzfr6

Ive been using ebc's for years on juicy 5's on my scale 30. I replace them once a year, just after the winter, as they apear to loose bite after lots of extra cleaning over winter, extra mud n grime too.

TickTockTick

faceplant77 wrote:

Thanks, I do clean the bike alot, especially recently after riding out in heavy mud. I have been using teflon spray around the bike, would that have reduced the effect of the pads.

I didn't realise that oils and fluids reduce the life of the pads. What is the best way to clean them if they do get contaminated, or are they wasted after this.

What is the difference between the Kevlar and the Sintered pads, I do sometime ride in the mud but I mostly ride dusty trails. I just want something to stop me, I have to admit that the Avid Juicy 3's aren't as good as entry level Shimano that I used to have on my Giant, so I want something that will give reliable stopping power.

Depends. Get brake fluid or fork oil on them and they are ruined forever. In fact, most oils will ruin brake pads.

Take the pads out and clean them with some alcohol or mr muscle.. that kind of thing..

Kevlar pads? Is there such a thing?

Juicy 3's come stock with organic pads I think. You might be happier with sintered pads.

Eranu

Yes superstar sell Kevlar pads.

jairaj

please dont use Mr Muscle on your brake pads. Use a bike disc brake cleaner or alcohol. have a look in the FAQ there is more info there.

Yes you can often clean the contaminants off but doesn't always work.

also make sure you bed the pads in each time you clean them and the rotor.