Rear Brake pads & Disc - check em regular !

Reading this thread prompted me to check my rear pads. Remaining pad appears about the same as the thickness as the backing plate but I don't know how thick they are when new? You all who have replaced these pads, approximately what percentage would you guess I have remaining?

 
they seem to be still healthy

Thanks tecman, I agree they are ok at this point I just don't know if there's 30, 50, or even 60% remaining? After reading this I'll keep an eye on them though.
 
Just because the rear disc is scored doesn't mean you have to change it.

I got caught out, down to the metal. Obvious scoring to the disc. I just bunged new rear pads in and it still brakes fine.
 
Reading this thread prompted me to check my rear pads. Remaining pad appears about the same as the thickness as the backing plate but I don't know how thick they are when new? You all who have replaced these pads, approximately what percentage would you guess I have remaining?


Buy a new pair to gauge the wear left. You will need them before long so you may as well be prepared by getting them in now. It's only a 10 min job to change them.
 
Buy a new pair to gauge the wear left. You will need them before long so you may as well be prepared by getting them in now. It's only a 10 min job to change them.

Fronts are the same thickness, maybe thinner, so I better buy all three. If DP offers them I'll try those.
 
Daz - don't take this the wrong way but your first pads lasted less than 6,000 miles and then you are surprised that the second set did the same :augie

What happened to folks checking their bikes on a regular basis :rob


..............and yes they should last longer than they do :(

Paul, I'm far from handy with a spanner but I do check bikes over and I didn't (still don't) think consumables like pads would wear between services.

I thought the initial 6K issue when they were replaced was because of faulty pads. I read up at the time and there was a suggestion poor materials / manufacturing led to softer pads that wore too quickly. In the grand scheme of things I rarely use the rear brake and seriously didn't expect it to repeat, so yes kinda surprised. Lesson leaned.

Waiting to talk to the dealer today ..
 
My rears did 6k.
I was a bit rude about the quality of chocolate that were clearly made from.
You can get non chocolate ones for c£20 that will probably last much longer.
 
I have the same problem and hardly use the rear brake.. so@ 7K on second set already and watching them closely...
There is series of really useful "How To's" on You Tube including one on rear pads here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAuHBRJI_Po

But what is quite cool, well I think so are the wee round lights in the air intakes that you can see in the air filter change video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jM0Te1eUf8
G
 
Ordering EBC rear pads as we speak...

I'm sure I remember reading on here that the rear pads are the same as the K1600 model? Anyway, Im finding according to the stats on the Nav V that the rear brakes are applied on mine about twice as much as the front brakes.

I am a heavy user of the rear brake, but recently reset the Nav V and deliberately didn't use the rear for a journey to and from work - same results again; rears used twice as much as the front, despite me physically not applying it myself.

Switching the EBC after reading v good reviews on t'interweb - good mileage and cost.

Next time you are in your dealership ask the parts guy to show you a brand new front and rear brake pad

You will be surprised at the difference in braking area and pad thickness

My own GSA (yes I know it's not an LC) had the original rear pads replaced by me at 14k for EBC items. The EBC pads still have plenty of meat left on them as do the fronts which are still the original BMW parts. The bike has now done 54k

Are you guys ordering/using the HH EBC pads as I am just about to order? Many thanks.
 
I'm not sure what they were to be honest as it was about 6 years ago

The pad backing plate is painted green if that helps?
 
I changed mine to EBC 200 miles before a ride through France to Spain. Yesterday half way to Spain I looked at brakes because one was binding slightly and noticed the new rear pads have worn down to the metal and scored the disk. If the originals lasted 7,000 miles, why would these last less than 1,000? In desperation I've removed the rear caliper and have it bungie'do to the bike. Oh well, at least the bike can't use the rear brake when it feels like it now. The bike know's something's wrong because it's showing a ESC fault. Wish the bike would leave the braking to the rider.
 
Just because the rear disc is scored doesn't mean you have to change it.

I got caught out, down to the metal. Obvious scoring to the disc. I just bunged new rear pads in and it still brakes fine.

+1 I did the same. I heard my grinding on the M25. Keep a spare set now on bike all the time.

Just next to sink & tumble dryer


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Just to close out my story, I forked out for new disc and pads. Not proud/happy/loaded, but I wanted it back as nature intended. I'll keep a spare set at home and will check regularly before the next service.

The flip side is I also came home with a warranty funded new rear swinging arm because of rust on a few spots that appeared after the first winter. Took a few days back and forth with the BMW mothership to get agreement, but it's taken part of the sting out of the tail.

Check them pads!
 
Hmmmm the plot thickens, when I picked up my new GS last month the Service Manger strolls out and casually mentions he is seeing rear brake pad issues, thinks its rider error !!

When some riders lightly trail brake into corners or just gently slowing down only using the rear and then they apply the front brake while still on the back brake he said it doubles up the rear brake pressure and kills the rear pads.

Give it a try, the rear brake does feel weird at the peddle just after you apply the front brake. I have now adapted to let off the rear brake and apply the front and let the BMW system work its magic. BUT I will still be looking at rear pads for a while to see how they are wearing.
 
I don't think he could prove that unless he puts telemetry on the bike and ride it. Other than that I think he is talking porkies
 
Rear Brake pads & Disc - check em regular !

The pedal operates back brake only. But brake system always applies a percentage of back brake with the fronts. That's why rear ABS kicks in so easily when using fronts and pedal.
Motorworks told me these are the options
HH pads all round - OK
Standard pads all round - OK
HH front with standard rear - OK
HH back with standard front - NOT OK
HH in back with standard in front will overbrake the back end. So maybe standard in back with HH in front will minimise rear brake wear.
 


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