brake question

[wulley1]

I've known it's been time for a brake job over the last week or two. I've started shopping around for parts, and figuring out which pads and rotors I want to use. I was going to start buying the parts this week or next.

It's funny how things never go as planned. Yesturday, as I'm driving to work I heard a very faint grinding noise coming from my front passenger side brake just as I was stopping. I visually checked out the rotor when I got home, sure enough the backing to the pad is evenly grinding away at the rotor. It's only wearing on the outside edge of the rotor, not both sides.

Since it will take anywheres from 3-5 days to get the parts here(longer if I order from ebay, which I hope to do), I'm hoping to buy some really cheap pads at autozone and install them on that wheel. The plan is to buy some time while new parts are ordered and shipped, hopefully spairing the life of the caliper.


Since the surface of the rotor is so ruff, how long would a pad last? I only travel about 20 miles a day, and braking is minimal. Do you think it would last a week?

[zeidakiss]

what do you want to last the calipers or the rotor? if it's the rotor you have to change it anyway because bimmer rotor wear and get thinner with the brake pads. the rotors on a bimmer are soft for better stoping power.

[wulley1]

the rotor is laready toasted, and I will replace all four on the car. I'm just hoping to prevent any damage to the caliper by replacing the pad. I just want to buy myself a week or two to order the parts needed to replace all four rotors.

[mankiks323i]

ahh the braking system is the most important device on your car. Don't drive the car why would you put your life or someone elses life in jeapardy for a week just to getto rig your car. Rent a car, borrow a friends, your parents, come on man.

[97alpineM3]

A set of cheap OEM brake pads will run you about 35-45 dollars... put those in for the week.. they will work fine.. as for the rotor wear.. it should wear all that much.. the damage is already done.. all a cheap pad will do in a week.. is maybe start to smooth that area on the outside of the rotors down... You should be good if you want to do it that way...


Les