Community Forums

gatorb8 · 03-16-2019, 10:15 AM

I crawled under and took a look at the calipers hoping to check brake pad wear. With the wheels on I could not find a good view of the pads. I've changed pads on many cars in the past so I know what to look for but didn't find a good viewing angle. Any tips?

I'm at 57,000 miles so I was wondering if I should have them replaced at the 60,000 mile service. Would be interested in how many miles others have gotten on pads with similar chassis.
thanks!

edge68474 · 03-16-2019, 10:22 AM

While the MH was in the shop for maintenance, I asked about checking the brake pads also. They said they have to take the wheels off in order to do that.
Maybe someone has a way without taking off the wheels.

theoldwizard · 03-16-2019, 10:38 AM

My experience has always been, it is next to impossible to get a good view of the remaining pad WITH the wheel on !

edge68474 · 03-16-2019, 10:47 AM

Coming from " theoldwizard".
Thank you sir. Kind of thought so.

gatorb8 · 03-16-2019, 10:51 AM

thanks guys, if the wheels must come off I might as well just replace the pads (it's probably more work to take the wheels off than change the pads!)

George Schweikle · 03-16-2019, 01:03 PM

My motorhome brakes had a sticking sliding caliper that caused a temperature alert on my TPMS. I was able to view the edges of the brake pads with a mirror looking through the holes in the wheel cover and wheel. This was on a Chevrolet P-chassis, but your Ford wheels and covers may not have sufficiently large holes. BTW, the brake pads had plenty of material left at 100,000 miles but I rebuilt everything due to the sticking sliding caliper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorb8

I crawled under and took a look at the calipers hoping to check brake pad wear. With the wheels on I could not find a good view of the pads. I've changed pads on many cars in the past so I know what to look for but didn't find a good viewing angle. Any tips?

I'm at 57,000 miles so I was wondering if I should have them replaced at the 60,000 mile service. Would be interested in how many miles others have gotten on pads with similar chassis.
thanks!

jackreno · 03-16-2019, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorb8

thanks guys, if the wheels must come off I might as well just replace the pads (it's probably more work to take the wheels off than change the pads!)

Wow I don't find it that hard to take the wheel off, its easy just use the onboard level system raise the front and remove one wheel and inspect, if it looks good put the wheel back on and your ready to go..

Easy Peasy

gatorb8 · 03-16-2019, 07:13 PM

ah, forgot to mention my wheels are 22.5”, I’ll let someone else do that cause as I get older it seems like I can either pay for the labor or pay the doctor....

Waiter21 · 03-17-2019, 05:58 AM

I have one of these inexpensive USB inspection cameras. I wonder if it would fit up there to get a peek at the brake pads?

https://www.amazon.com/Endoscope-Ins.../dp/B01HGHWX54

..

Crankshaft · 03-17-2019, 06:37 AM

I asked my Ford Truck shop to pull the wheels and inspect the brakes. He said that they don't have to pull the wheels, it call all be seen from the backside. I tried and I can't see anything. He's lazy. If I could handle the 22.5 wheels I'd do it myself. Hard to find a shop that will work on the F53 chassis.

gatorb8 · 03-17-2019, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waiter21

I have one of these inexpensive USB inspection cameras. I wonder if it would fit up there to get a peek at the brake pads?

https://www.amazon.com/Endoscope-Ins.../dp/B01HGHWX54

..

I was wondering the same thing

jfoldesi · 03-17-2019, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waiter21

I have one of these inexpensive USB inspection cameras. I wonder if it would fit up there to get a peek at the brake pads?

https://www.amazon.com/Endoscope-Ins.../dp/B01HGHWX54

..

I have one, works for that and a lot of other difficult to see places.

gatorb8 · 03-21-2019, 11:02 AM

Today I crawled under and took another look at the calipers & brake pads with a small flashlight and a few small mexhanics mirrors. I was able to see the pad wear on the front with a 1x2” mechanics mirror. The rear look was a lot tighter and I was able to see pads with a 1” circular mechanics mirror. Took a while to understand what I was looking at. I looked where the thin spring metal clips are on the front of the calipers, Both front and rear pads were more than double the thickness of the steel backing, I’m guessing my pads have about .35-.4”. Anyone know the recommended thickness for replacement?

Waiter21 · 03-21-2019, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Both front and rear pads were more than double the thickness of the steel backing,

Thats kind of how I gauge mine..

When I looked at them two years ago, mine looked ok. However, I was concerned about age and heat damage, so I decided to replace the pads, that way I know exactly where they are on maintenance.