Brake pad sensor - how far can you go with it on?

[dukemasterpro]

Enjoying the NW Qld outback at the moment, left Longreach earlier today and had the pad sensor light come on.

Wanted to get a feel for how long ( km’s ) could reasonably expect to plan where to eat new pads ( rear I believe as front pads and rotor new pretrip ).

Not sure why the dealer who serviced didn’t upsell to do the rear pads and possibly rotors as well.
I hadn’t asked about the fronts which was their suggestion.
Plenty of chat about going on a trip with the service desk so I think it was clear something big was on the cards travel wise.

Currently in Winton and planned to head to the NT via Mt Isa middle of next week. Has anyone had work done there and can recommend? They don’t have a Pedders but is a large town.

I’m guessing any brake place in Mt Isa will have pads but not wear sensors???

My other thought is to go to Townsville and slightly modify our schedule as it’s a left to Mt Isa at Hughenden or right to the coast. Either ways interesting as we are doing a loop.

I’m also wondering is there anything on the vehicle that can falsely trigger the wear sensor eg mud or car wash as I’ve done both recently.

Separate story but we got thoroughly bogged at Charlotte Plains station after the rain, debogged with a couple of short tractor tows which was handy and then took the vehicle to the car wash at Long Reach a few days later.

A fun trip so far for sure but definitely keen to know how far these pads will take me to get a quick replacement next week.

[Ferret]

From my experience. A long way, 5k or more maybe but your mileage might vary.

But gee - easy enough to take off a wheel and check how much meat is left on the pad. Be aware there are only 2 sensors one on one of the front wheels and one on one of the rear wheels. Forget which wheels specifically have the sensors so you really need to to check all pad thickness anyway in case there is uneven wear.

Also would add the sensors have been known to activate just by sticks / stones etc flying up and damaging the sensors. And if the rear has been recently replaced then I would suspect a loose connection. Another reason to physically check the pads and the sensors.

[ATH]

We did about 3K with the brake sensor light (it's on the right rear) on for the rear pads. There was a bit of pad left when I changed them but I wouldn't want to have gone much further before changing them.
AlanH.

[Turtle60]

From my experience. A long way, 5k or more maybe but your mileage might vary.

But gee - easy enough to take off a wheel and check how much meat is left on the pad. Be aware there are only 2 sensors one on one of the front wheels and one on one of the rear wheels. Forget which wheels specifically have the sensors so you really need to to check all pad thickness anyway in case there is uneven wear.

Also would add the sensors have been known to activate just by sticks / stones etc flying up and damaging the sensors. And if the rear has been recently replaced then I would suspect a loose connection. Another reason to physically check the pads and the sensors.

Don’t stress. If the only issue is in fact a properly triggered wear sensor you can drive as said 5000k plus. But agree with all above. Have a look at each side for pad wear. Rear sensor is drivers side Inside pad and front is passenger inside pad. Out of the 8 pads only two actually can trigger the sensor. We drove to the cape and back after it triggered near Coen. Downside is you’ll be looking at that warning on the dash till you get is sorted and that means a new sensor. I believe you can snip and join The thin wires in the sensor cable and that will clear the warning but not fix the issue Upside is it won’t put you in limp mode surprisingly. Stopping mustn't be considered a safety issue

cheers
Steve

[Turtle60]

Edit . Caveat with the above post. Don’t snip the wear sensor cable. unless you now the difference between the wear sensor and wheel speed sensor cable. Cut that and you’ll be in a world of pain. Just put up with it.

[dukemasterpro]

We did about 3K with the brake sensor light (it's on the right rear) on for the rear pads. There was a bit of pad left when I changed them but I wouldn't want to have gone much further before changing them.
AlanH.

Thanks I have a bolt stuck in the right rear that we found yesterday so that’s coming off this morning. Can eyeball the pads then.

[dukemasterpro]

From my experience. A long way, 5k or more maybe but your mileage might vary.

But gee - easy enough to take off a wheel and check how much meat is left on the pad. Be aware there are only 2 sensors one on one of the front wheels and one on one of the rear wheels. Forget which wheels specifically have the sensors so you really need to to check all pad thickness anyway in case there is uneven wear.

Also would add the sensors have been known to activate just by sticks / stones etc flying up and damaging the sensors. And if the rear has been recently replaced then I would suspect a loose connection. Another reason to physically check the pads and the sensors.

Fronts were new very recently, will check the rear this morning. I didn’t grab a copy of the service invoice notes with me, but will ring tomorrow and ask what it said how many mm. Definitely have done 18000km since the rears were done from logging onto the service history which is helpful but doesn’t have great detail.


Thanks the tips guys anyhow here’s my first puncture of the trip. Still holding air this morning, nothing like a tyre swap for brekkie. Have a 100km round trip on dirt this morning to be prepared for.

[dukemasterpro]

[dukemasterpro]

[Odysseyman]

Have you considered ordering pads and sensors online and having them delivered to a post office where you’re heading soon. Saves searching every workshop around outback towns.

David