Gasser MH First Brake Job

Got 33K and pads are at 1/2.

I've got about 30K miles on the current pads and from the looks of them when I had the calipers/hoses replaced they'll go at least another 30K. The first set of pads was replaced by the previous owners at around 50K.

I had the ALL the calipers replaced on the recommendation of my mechanic (also a friend who I trust) because he said that one of them had a slight leak and appeared to have taken more heat than the others. I also decided that while he was replacing the calipers, it was a good time to replace the flexible rubber hoses, and while he was in there doing that, I felt like it was warranted to flush the entire hydraulic brake system and put in new fluid. Good for peace of mind that everything is new and fresh, bad for the wallet....

I had around 100,000 miles when I needed to replace the front pads-- 1999 F53

I checked mine at 31k a nd the the rear pad really looked close to need new ones, so i ordered new ones and replced them at 33k. The rears were needed, but fronts still looked good.

Over the past few years, reading various posts on this forum, I got the idea that my brakes would last around 60,000 miles. (2001 F-53). Well, in my case,2 years ago, at 48,000 miles, I got the dreaded "metal-to-metal" grinding noise on the Pa. Turnpike with 200 miles to go, Nothing I could do but wince and use a couple of colorful metaphors every time I used the brakes.

Complete destruction of the rotors. Bottom line, I had everything replaced...rotors, calipers, pads. All four. 2 grand. Game plan is to replace the pads every 40,000 miles. Altho I doubt I'll put enought future miles on this current motorhome, If I ever get another one, that is what I'll do.

Brakes are one of those items that are difficult to base on a set time or other such number. Driving habits have a big effect on the service life of the brakes. As such stick with the chassis builder's recommended service and/or inspection schedule. For my coach, 2006 Ford, they recommend an inspection of the brakes every 15,000 miles. No mention of replacement or other type of repairs based on time or miles, only the inspection.

harold1946 wrote:
Which Workhorse chassis do you have? There was a recall several years ago, with free replacement of the calipers and pads.
The braking habits have more to do with it than time or mileage, but they should be checked on a regular basis.

Don't think that recall included the pads, but I might be wrong..

Which Workhorse chassis do you have? There was a recall several years ago, with free replacement of the calipers and pads.
The braking habits have more to do with it than time or mileage, but they should be checked on a regular basis.

Usually you can look underneath and tell how much pad material is left without taking things apart. I would however go with a complete brake fluid flush(NOT just a bleeding) which usually takes about three quarts of fluid. I recommend this every two years or so. Your pads should be good for 75-100,000 miles of normal use.