Rear Brake Pads - When to Replace?

(05 pointy naked)

Hi

Passed MOT but with an advisory on the rear brake pads. Garage refused to be drawn on how long they had left.

How do I know/check/measure when they need replacing please?

Thank you

[Sir Trev]

Simply have a look at them. How much friction material is left on them? Lots usually = fine. Not much or uneven wear suggests replace and/or service the caliper.

On the SV the rear brake is largely ornamental and personally I hardly used mine. Your pads may be ineffective or glazed so take them out for a proper look and if they're OK (see above) rough the surface up and put them back in. If they look oily or otherwise contaminated by chain fling etc. replace.

[NTECUK]

Remove check for uneven wear.
if friction material less than 1mm fit a new set.
Make sure the cliper is clean and every thing moves properly.
Don't fit H H pads in the back

[NedSVS]

The original genuine Suzuki pads usually have a grooved line, on the edge (not any water clearance grooves on the face). The genuine Suzuki manual says to replace when this grooved line is exceeded. In practice the line is very difficult to see, full of brake dust or doesn't even exist on aftermarket pads. I use a the thickness of a 5p coin and offer it up to the small step you get between the pad material and the metal backing plate. once it drops to the thickness of the coin I replace the pads. Watch out for uneven wear though!

Thanks. Helpful.

Why not fit HH pads in the back?

[NTECUK]

HH pads are for serious braking performance.
HH front yes every time
But The back brake ??
Somthing A Road SV doesn't need,so go cheap save ya self £5

[NTECUK]

Originally Posted by NTECUK

HH pads are for serious braking performance.
HH front yes every time
But The back brake ??
Somthing A Road SV doesn't need,so go cheap save ya self £5

HH Pads (HH rated)

This sintered metal & ceramic composition allows for the ultimate friction, making their stopping power unmatched. These HH pads are rougher on rotor surfacesDespite this assumption, these pads have remained popular with the aggressive off-road and street riders and are supplied to many race teams.
whilst
GG rated pads out-perform most original equipment pads These Semi-Metallic & Carbon pads offer great longevity while limiting rotor wear. These pads will give you a strong progressive feel allowing for a controlled braking modulation.

[yorkie_chris]

GG all day long.
Replace them when there's <1mm left on them.

HH on back are a bit grabby and the extra "bite" is absolutely no use for a hill start or whatever.



On front... personal preference... I like GG but with overpowered calipers...