how thin can you run a race pad before it becomes unsafe? i have these panther+ pads that have successfully burned my fluid and slightly warped my rotors. the pad wear looks even and still functions normally. i about to embark on a 2 day hpde at beaverun; i will have new cobalt race pads with me.

 

I don't think they'll make it through 2 days. Carbotechs are riveted and you're pretty close to the rivets.

 

Looks like 3-4 sessions left, if you're lucky.

 

run the new pads and keep those for back-ups. I have a set of P+ that look just like that after two weekends. ~5hrs

 

Since you have the unfortunate pleasure of rivets... run them till they touch and then keep wearing.

left one looks a bit iffy.

 

If I had pads out alread... and have new ones on hand... I would just install them in. 1) Better safe than not... 2) I'd rather relax and hang out at the track than try to spend the 1/2 - 1 hour (rushing) to put them on before the next session.


[Modified by gsirnj, 5:43 PM 4/2/2003]

 

SInce the brakes are apart, use the new ones and keep the pictured pads for backup. The pictured pads have a few sessions left, but probably not a whole weekend.

 

what day will you be at beaverun? I will be up there this weekend. Fri/sat, for the cannon ball run event.

 

my XPs worked great all the way to the backing plate.
I would say you have about a day, maybe 1.5-2 if you dont brake hard.

the pads will start to smell more as they get very low.

 

If it were me, I'd change the pad, replace the rotors and bleed the system through with new DOT 4 fluid, but that's just me.

 

Won't this score the rotors? Or do you consider them wear items? I have a set that looks like that.

-al

 

How do you know you have 'slightly warped' rotors?

To me, slightly warped rotors is like being 'slightly pregnant.'

 

I think you answered the question actually. The coin is not a good indicator-but the rivets are. Time for new pads if you want to be optimum. You state there was an issue with the brake fljuid-change it when you do the pads. Temps should be a bit lower with new (my experience anyway) and the pedal should stay up.

 

Yep, those are *just* about done. Probably a 2-3 sessions at most. Now would be a good time to call me for more since we have a ~10 sets being made right now.

Other brake manufacturers (Hawk, PFC, etc) recommend that when there is ~.125" of material left, the pads should be tossed, or else you risk delamination and/or getting too much heat into the caliper thereby boiling your fluid. The head of the rivets of our pads are ~.125" above the backing plate. So if you follow the advice of the very well known and respected brake manufacuteres, you'll never have issues with rivets in Carbotech pads because when you get to them, it's time to toss them.

Matt

 

Also remember as the pads become thinner, they wear a lot faster. Less pad=less thermal capacity=faster wear rates.

Like everyone else said, I would put the new pads on. I would just say go ahead and wear the pictured pads down, but you need to let the car sit a good 30 min or so (of prescious track time) to let everything cool down as to not snap a wheel stud or the caliper bolt. That caliper bolt especially dosent like to be messed with when its pipin' hot.

Just curious, what Cobalt pads you gots?

 

if he uses up these current pads & has to replace them while at the track (assuming he uses the same kind of pads but new ones), would he need to bed them in??
or would he be able to just throw them on & race some more?

 

all high-performance pads (metallic) are going to need to be bedded in.