Michael Pardee wrote:
> "Peter H" <haneburyp@rogers.com> wrote in message
> news:1166668031.382939.177310@t46g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>> Hi All:
>>
>> I've got a 2000 civic which I bought, used 3 years ago. From what the
>> mechanics have told me I've still got the original brakes. I've had
>> them checked a few times and about 6 months ago I was told that there
>> was still 25% left on the brakes, but in the last couple of weeks I've
>> begun hearing a grating noise which seems to be coming from the front
>> rotors.
>>
>> I'm assuming that it's now time to do the brakes, but I'm really busy
>> with work and the holiday season. I'm wondering whether I've now
>> reached the warning stage or have gone past that and am destroying the
>> rotors? If still at the warning stage how long do I have until I do
>> damage to the brakes. They still seem to be working fine.
>>
>> Thanks for your help.
>>
>> Peter H
>>
>
> No mistaking that one - the harsh grinding sound is from the steel backing
> of the pads chewing on a rotor. If it's been going on for weeks it probably
> got both disks, and neither will be suitable for resurfacing.
> Procrastination is an expensive hobby.
>
> Don't put this off any longer. There is no telling what your car will do if
> you have to use the brakes hard. The front wheels may lock up early or they
> may just not do their job. The only thing you can be sure of is they won't
> work right. By now you are probably braking on the rear wheels mostly.
> Worse, if you allow this to go on much longer a pad (well, the backing
> plate) can slip out of the caliper. From there any number of things can
> happen - like that wheel locking up - and none of them are good.
>
> Mike
>
>
there's also a tell-tale noise maker on the pads - it starts scraping
before the pads get to metal. pads still need to be replaced
immediately, but hopefully the rotors aren't toast.