How long do brakes last?

[dreman]

How long are these "long life" pads supposed to last, anyway? Every time I check them, they're fine! I bought a new set of pads last year, but didn't change them because they weren't worn out yet! How long do these things last, anyway?

[ken1mod]

depends on everyting but your your experience is great.

 

ken

[dreman]

I had to change the rears out two years ago due to the parking brake problem, but the fronts still had lots of life left. This truck still stops better than almost anything else I've ever owned. Maybe it's that 6am 50 mile commute every day that's running up the miles without touching the brakes.

 

How long have yours lasted before changing them out?

[Wingnut]

When my '02 hit 75-80k miles, I went and bought some pads to put on it...On the assumption that it would need them.

 

When I pulled the wheels off, the pads hardly looked worn.

 

I still have those new pads in a box.

[buckjim]

you just hit the nail on the head, 50mile highway commute without braking will sure prolong your brakes for a long time without having to change them out, the longest i went on my old dodge dakota's brakes was 150,000 km's wich is 93,000 miles, but wow you managed to make it 245,000,miles wich is 394,000km's good job!

[Wingnut]

No kidding...That's a LONG ways on a set of pads.

[Valsport]

yes thats incredible. i am at 122,000 miles on original pads up front, replaced the rears at 110,000 miles.

[yellow z71]

I find it interesting that some of you have had to change the rear brakes before the front ones. Usually the fronts are the ones to go first. Anyone have any idea why this would happen? On my 89 1500, I had the original brakes on the rear at 170,000 but the front ones I had replaced at least 3 times.

[dreman]

I thought it was odd, too, but that's what happened. Realistically the rears could have gone 10-20k more, but I had to change the rotors and parking brake shoes anyway, so why not? But the fronts looked better at that time than the rears did.

 

I agree it is strange that the fronts lasted longer than the rears. When my wife and I met, she was driving a Toyota Celica. I put a new set of front pads on that car every year for the 6 years we had that car, and never needed to change the rear shoes. We finally traded it at 240,000 miles for something with four doors after our son was born. Her current truck (a Sport Trac) has had two sets of front pads, and only one rear set at 112,000 miles.

[J45p3r]

I had to replace the rear pads on my 03 Z71 at 30k miles. Fronts are still going at about 56000 miles, but look like they'll need replacement before 75k.

[tommyboyZ71]

my rear brakes completely wore out at 55,000......fronts are just like new at 70,000.....go figure.

[pjmmoore]

I had to change my brakes (all of them) at 40k. The brakes themselves were hardly worn, but my rotors...all rust. If the rotors were as good as the brakes we would all get 245k - ha ha.

[C & A s Dad]

I am in the Auto Parts business and I believe 245k may be a record. LOL I drive almost all highway but have never gotten over about 100K on the original pads. Whatever you are doing, keep doing it.

[Air Biscuit]

I find it interesting that some of you have had to change the rear brakes before the front ones. Usually the fronts are the ones to go first. Anyone have any idea why this would happen? On my 89 1500, I had the original brakes on the rear at 170,000 but the front ones I had replaced at least 3 times.

 

I just had to replace my rear pads as well. The dealership said my fronts were still about 50%. This was at about 94K km (50,000 miles?). I think the rears discs go more quickly because of the EBD, rears are smaller than the fronts, and the fact that all kinds of crud blows back off the front wheels on to the rear disks. If you have drums in the rear, there's a bit more protection for the braking surface.

 

Just a theory. Either way, I still got 94K out of the rears so I'm happy.

[svensk]

I have to replace my rear pads finally. I'm waiting for spring. They started squeeking around 121k I'm at like 125k right now.