99mx5

iTrader: (16)

I decided to replace my brakes before the last track day. There was still some pad left, but replaced them just to be safe, especially after having a pad chunk off on the track. How far do you guys let them go before you replace them?

curly

iTrader: (25)

Generally until one side of the pad is fairly close to the backing plate. I then throw $20 pads from NAPA on until I get new rotors and race pads in. Pad taper FTL. Just keep a sharp eye on them by taking the wheel off, because the part you can see when looking through the wheel is the thicker part of the pad.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

I replace when they pad is the thickness of the backing plate. When the pad is that thin temps skyrocket at the caliper.

99mx5

iTrader: (16)

Yeah, I checked through the wheel and thought it was good. I checked again after removing the wheel and with the pad taper it was about 3/16" at the lowest part. Next time I'll pull both wheels to check pads. One side was worn more than the other. Since the rotors weren't worn, I slapped on a new set of Carbotech XP10 and I didn't have to bed them in.

I hadn't thought about the heat transfer. I guess that explains the boil I had with the crap Red Stuff.