Stock Brake Pad Life Expectancy?

[JTpanelsOFF]

I actually did a brake inspection recently on my Overland with ~34K miles. I did not measure with a gauge/ruler but my guess is that they were at 10-12 mm. I’m very happy with that.

While down there, I cleaned up the pads with some brake cleaner, wiped the hardware brackets clean, and cleaned and lubed the caliper pins. I live in New England and have another baby on the way, so I want to ensure that my vehicles are safe.

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[kevman65]

Take all information with a grain of salt.

It 100% depends on your driving habits. If you are an aggressive driver, you will go through pads faster than an unaggressive driver.

There is always the possibility of a bad batch of pads. Like everything else things happen and the pads aren't what they're supposed to be.

My 2004 F-250 still had factory pads when I traded it in for 2016 Explorer.
Same Explorer the pads didn't last 20,000 miles.

I personally don't like the factory pads on my JT, had it 3 years and still under 20,000 miles and the pads have never given me confidence in their ability to stop.

Probably next year I will be going with EBC pads, will see what rotors look like as to whether I keep them or upgrade.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

It 100% depends on your driving habits. If you are an aggressive driver, you will go through pads faster than an unaggressive driver.

This ^^
That and where you live. If it's for short commutes through town - less life.
Race up to the light - less life.
Tons of rush hour traffic - less life.

 

[1stXMan]

With all due respect to your extensive mechanical knowledge: you live in Iowa.

Try a work commute that involves 55mph roads with constant red lights along the way. Constantly speeding up and slowing down is a way of life for people in more densely packed locations. 80k on a set of brake pads for me would be unheard of and I can assure you that while my brakes may get plenty of use, they are not being abused. I am a consummate engine braker and am never the type to speed up to a red light.

Your theory that short-lived brake pads only derive from owner abuse is regionally biased. In a vehicle that weighs 2.5tons i'd consider myself lucky to get 50k, but realistically expect 40k. Longest I've ever gone was 65k on a 2dr civic.

Yep. I'm in DFW and everyday is a coordinated mastery of don't hit the people in front of you in stop and go traffic.

I'm at 28k miles and already thinking about brake pads.

 

[jwilson2899]

Hi all,

This is my first automatic vehicle and I understand that they go through brakes faster than manuals. I purchased my JTR in May 2020 and it has 28k miles on it. I am starting to get that squeak a few slow rotations around, (whatever is squeaking), as I pull away from it being parked and in my experience that could be brake pads.

Thanks for any info!

Read this thread, you'll see a lot of us have experienced this issue. I haven't had a chance to try this fix myself, but I will be as soon as I replace the brakes.

Squeaking Noise at Low Speed ?? | Page 5 | Jeep Gladiator (JT) News, Forum, Community - JeepGladiatorForum.com

 

[MattK]

Thanks for all the replies! I was just curious. I live in San Diego and I'd consider myself to have good mechanical sympathy. It was just more curious about the auto vs. manual thing. My manual JKR the brake pads lasted forever in the same conditions I subject the JTR to. The sound is the same as the JKR when they needed to be replaced so I was just making the audio queue recognition of the same thing that happened on the JKR.

I'll get it checked out. I'm an apartment dweller and I lift the hood and start poking around they get pretty twitchy. No automotive work int he apartment parking spots allowed, etc. etc. because of the lowest common denominator human probably spilled gallons of oil or something so now no one can do anything to their vehicle on their property.

Appreciate your time!

 

[MattK]

Read this thread, you'll see a lot of us have experienced this issue. I haven't had a chance to try this fix myself, but I will be as soon as I replace the brakes.

Squeaking Noise at Low Speed ?? | Page 5 | Jeep Gladiator (JT) News, Forum, Community - JeepGladiatorForum.com

This is exactly what I am hearing from the same starting situation. Parked for a while and then go to leave the apartment and squeaks 3-4 times and stops. I can stop it sooner it seems if I apply the brakes a couple times quickly. Thanks for the thread link.

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

If there's been one thing I've been impressed with in this truck it's been the brakes/ rotors.

34k and through a couple sandy, muddy swamps:

 

[jwilson2899]

This is exactly what I am hearing from the same starting situation. Parked for a while and then go to leave the apartment and squeaks 3-4 times and stops. I can stop it sooner it seems if I apply the brakes a couple times quickly. Thanks for the thread link.

Yep, that’s exactly what mine has been doing. For 2 years now lol.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This is exactly what I am hearing from the same starting situation. Parked for a while and then go to leave the apartment and squeaks 3-4 times and stops. I can stop it sooner it seems if I apply the brakes a couple times quickly. Thanks for the thread link.

My son's Compass did the squeak thing for a short time after each fresh morning outing with it. I looked at it while it was here and noticed that our humidity made those rotors rust with the up and down temperatures and high dew points. Subtle but enough to make a squeak.

 

[Blade1668]

Over 70 k factory pads a conservative driver, but at every tire rotation I check the brake pads. I already have a replacement brake pads front and rear.
Overnight, I can see rusting on brake disks especially if it sets a few days or a week without driving. Not parked in garage.
Heck, keep set on hand, If you have them already the longer stuff seems to last. Then when you need them you got them. The price isn't likely to go down but up and could be out of stock when you need them. ?

 

[GladLad]

I do a firm, quick, brake tap going down hills or when wanting to slow and let the transmission kick down and use engine braking. I'm not the sort to ride the brakes. I let the transmission and engine do the work and these are pretty slick at reading your brake pedal use.

I may need to finish reading, or remembering, the owner's manual here, but are you saying a quick brake tap will increase engine braking? While riding the brakes would encourage it not to and instead allow you to continue manually braking?

I was thinking you'd either need to throw it in to manual mode, or cruise control.

 

[Ferg]

I have about 43k miles. I had the dealership check the brakes when I was in last week. I've still got about 75% of my pads left.

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