Pagid front pads 10,000 miles

[wols0003]

I drive an 83 300SD. My brake pad indicator light started to flash off and on at 9,500. I finally got around to changing them at 10,400. All four pads were worn evenly; outer left and right pads were triggering the indicator, inner pads were both worn right to the outer plastic of the brake pad sensor. I put in Textar "yellow box" this time to see if I can get more life from the European stock pads. I put in the Pagid (American stock) pads in July; every eight months is a pretty short life span for brake pads, don't you agree? Not a difficult job, but a bit of a pain in the a--. The Textars seem to be smoother in transition from stop to slow go (full brake depression to slow brake release). The Pagids always groaned a little bit at slow release (parking lot driving). So, what has everyone been getting from there brake pads?

[tenknots]

I drive mostly hiway and my front pads have over 30k. I checked them last week and they have nearly half left. I don't know what they are as the PO installed them.

The rotors are due at the next pad replacement though.

[billrei]

Originally Posted by wols0003

I drive an 83 300SD. My brake pad indicator light started to flash off and on at 9,500. I finally got around to changing them at 10,400. All four pads were worn evenly; outer left and right pads were triggering the indicator, inner pads were both worn right to the outer plastic of the brake pad sensor. I put in Textar "yellow box" this time to see if I can get more life from the European stock pads. I put in the Pagid (American stock) pads in July; every eight months is a pretty short life span for brake pads, don't you agree? Not a difficult job, but a bit of a pain in the a--. The Textars seem to be smoother in transition from stop to slow go (full brake depression to slow brake release). The Pagids always groaned a little bit at slow release (parking lot driving). So, what has everyone been getting from there brake pads?

I would be tempted to rebuild the calipers. The pistons could be sticky if they are original. The kits are pretty cheap and it's fairly straight forward job. Have you measured the brake rotors for wear? I find about every other pad change I need to replace the rotors. I get at least twice the mileage out of my pads.

[hughet]

If you have your original brake hoses you should change them. I did on my 84 300SD a couple of months ago and the brakes improved noticeably. If that does not work, Phil has rebuilt calipers at a good price.
As far as pads go, Autozone will sell you an axle set for about 25 bucks with a lifetime warranty. I did that 10 years ago so I go back every 30 or 40k miles and pick up a free set! They seemed to stop the car as well as the pagids that I replaced them with (and they get the wheels just as dirty).

[SD Blue]

You might try a brake fluid change to see if that helps. Do a search under "pressure bleeder". It sounds as if the calipers may be sticking a little.

[Ali Al-Chalabi]

If everything on both sides is worn evenly and the rotors are cold after not using the brakes, then you don't have to do any brake work other than replace the pads. If anything was sticking, you would probably notice uneven brake wear.

[billrei]

Originally Posted by Ali Al-Chalabi

If everything on both sides is worn evenly and the rotors are cold after not using the brakes, then you don't have to do any brake work other than replace the pads. If anything was sticking, you would probably notice uneven brake wear.

Yeah good point, maybe he is like my wife and uses the brake pedal as footrest....

[boneheaddoctor]

Originally Posted by billrei

Yeah good point, maybe he is like my wife and uses the brake pedal as footrest....

Or he drives in mostly stop and go traffic.......which really kills brakes....ask me how I know.....