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Brake pad notch

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by GaryD1, Oct 23, 2015.

  1. GaryD1

    GaryD1 Active Member

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    In inspecting factory brake pads on my 2011, there is a notch on each pad half way between. Does this notch represent any kind of wear limit factor. I have read and tried to find the answer to this but haven't. Is it just the way the brake pad is made or does it suggest how much pad is left on it?? Can this notch be used as a guide to how much wear is left on pad?
     
    #1 GaryD1, Oct 23, 2015
  2. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    I learned that the notch is there for the brake pad dust accumulation while having friction on the disk. for later displacement.
     
    #2 mrbigh, Oct 23, 2015
  3. GaryD1

    GaryD1 Active Member

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    I was just wandering if where the U is formed next to the metal base could represent so many MM thickness left. It looks like possibly 2 mm from the metal base. I was just wandering if this could be used as a guideline for disk pad replacement time. Yea I figured notch was for heat or dust.
     
    #3 GaryD1, Oct 23, 2015
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think it's a pretty good minimum depth indicator. The pad thickness at the base of that notch is about 2 mm, at most. It's something that's easy to see when looking through the little window in the shoulder of the caliper.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Oct 23, 2015
    GaryD1 likes this.
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