These are Dexter self-adjust that I have dragged 15,500 miles. At zero miles (i.e., new) the pads are 0.18 inch (9/32) and after 15,500 they are 0.08 inch (1/8). So I am figuring that the pads are losing 0.01 inch every 1550 miles. If you are supposed to replace the brakes at 0.04 inch (1/16), I only have 6200 more miles until worn.I figure (My brain hurts!!) that if we are planning to go from Florida east coast to California and up to Canada, I need to go ahead and do this thankless job. I've done this before on previous trailer.All that said, I wanted to see if I am figuring this right or not.In advanceThanks

You need to check your math.0.08 is much less than 1/8 of an inch. It’s less than 1/12 of an inch. 0.18 inch is also much less than 9/32 of an inch. It’s 9/50 of an inch. 0.04 inches is 1/25 of an inch.New, mine were 3/16 (0.185) inch and replacement is recommended at 1/16 (0.0625) inch.

Throw ALL those Math problems Into the trash can and stop over thinking.IF the brakes a low, AND your taking that multi thousand mile trip ( 6,000 - 10,000 ) , just replace them and be done with it..:Spiece of mind = pricelessand by the way... agree with the above .080 is 80 thousands where 1/8" is .125, or 125,000.... 45,000 thicker ( .045 ) than .080 now my brain hurts

A for effort with the micrometer brake lining measurements!F for decimal to fraction conversion. B+ for effort to micro manage your brake pad wear. D for efficiency. By the time you removed all the drums and micd the pads and reinstalled you spent more $ as a function of time invested than just replacing the $150 worth of overpriced brake pads would have cost you. And subjectively, you could lose a perfectly good half worn brake lining and have it chew up and spit out and just wish you hadn’t overthunk it.

Time, Ignoring the fact that your conversion to fractions sucks, brake pads are cheap. Labor is expensive on the road. A brake failure is even more expensive. Makes it a simple choice to me.Now, you measured a pad at 0.080? A 1/16 is 0.0625. That does not leave a lot of margin.Matt

Well I sure am glad I posted before dropping $$$$$.My pads are 1/8 inch thick at thinnest spot.So ... using the right numbers 1/8 (=2/16 duh) is halfway between 3/16 and 1/16 (duh #2). So I have ~15,500 miles (or so) on those brakes, enough to go on our trip.BTW my brakes are $185 a pair, so $370.And yes, I admit, my math sucks!!!!!

time to replace brakes? | Good Sam Community

Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2023
Time,

Ignoring the fact that your conversion to fractions sucks, brake pads are cheap. Labor is expensive on the road. A brake failure is even more expensive. Makes it a simple choice to me.

Now, you measured a pad at 0.080? A 1/16 is 0.0625. That does not leave a lot of margin.

Matt
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jan 19, 2023
A for effort with the micrometer brake lining measurements!
F for decimal to fraction conversion.
B+ for effort to micro manage your brake pad wear.
D for efficiency. By the time you removed all the drums and micd the pads and reinstalled you spent more $ as a function of time invested than just replacing the $150 worth of overpriced brake pads would have cost you.

And subjectively, you could lose a perfectly good half worn brake lining and have it chew up and spit out and just wish you hadn’t overthunk it.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Jan 19, 2023
Throw ALL those Math problems Into the trash can and stop over thinking.

IF the brakes a low, AND your taking that multi thousand mile trip ( 6,000 - 10,000 ) , just replace them and be done with it..:S

piece of mind = priceless

and by the way... agree with the above .080 is 80 thousands where 1/8" is .125, or 125,000.... 45,000 thicker ( .045 ) than .080 now my brain hurts
jkwilson
Explorer III
Jan 19, 2023
You need to check your math.

0.08 is much less than 1/8 of an inch. It’s less than 1/12 of an inch. 0.18 inch is also much less than 9/32 of an inch. It’s 9/50 of an inch. 0.04 inches is 1/25 of an inch.

New, mine were 3/16 (0.185) inch and replacement is recommended at 1/16 (0.0625) inch.

Forum Discussion

time to replace brakes?

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Difficulty timing a 1995 Chevy 454ci

replacing Brake Pads

Replacing Elec brakes

Time to replace batteries??

Full time stationary living (2015 DRV Mobile Suites 41RSSB4)