Milano brake pad minimum thicknesses

[Del]

Just a quick question about Milano brakes.

What is the consensus for what would be the minimum allowable pad thicknesses for a Milano? My workshop manual doesn't give values, just a note for cars provided with pad wear indicators which says to replace the pads if the light comes on. I would like to know what they regard as minimum allowable thicknesses for the front and rear pads.

thanks,

[Sevendriver]

Des, I read somewhere (Can't remember where) the mimimum thickness is 20 mm at the front and 8 mm at the back. Please check!

Sevendriver

[Sevendriver]

Sorry Des! I quoted Disc thickness not pad thickness! I'll verify for the pads..

Sorry again!

Sevendriver.

[Gubi]

Pads should typically be replaced when they get down to about 1/8" of brake pad on the backing plate. Not an Alfa spec, just a general brake spec.

[BigSwede]

When 2/3 of the friction material is gone, replace pads.

[Del]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, one should replace the pads if the actual pad material is significantly worn to somewhere around 1/3 - 1/4 the original thickness. I was wondering, though, what Alfa used for the criteria for their minimum pad thickness warning system. I guess I will measure a new pad with the warning wires to see what they built in.

[BigSwede]

The brake compound also acts as a heat insulator, too thin and more heat will go into the backing plates and the caliper. Very bad.

[Del]

I would guess however that 99.99% of the Milano's being driven will never have that as a worry. Exceeding the wear limits will be the most important issue for the average owner, as that will just eventually grind up discs and reduce braking power.

Alfetta sedans were the forerunner of the Milano, didn't have wear indicator lights, and many Alfetta owners bought new discs to replace the neglected and ground down discs, esp the harder to check rear brakes.

Hmmm, will have to check my Alfetta Workshop Manual.