tell me about brake sensors?

[rsfeller]

do they wear down themselves or are they replaced for other reasons?

I note that some kits online come with the sensors for brake jobs while others don't. Tell me everything I need to know!

Shawn

[geza]

The sensors wear at the same rate as the pads. Once they get to their critical stage, the metal contact within begins to touch the metal disc - completing an electrical circuit that results in the warning light you'll on the dash.

Replacing them is prudent if you are doing the pads as well.......that way you know.

[Loren]

completing an electrical circuit

Actually, they break the circuit when the wire is worn through.

[rsfeller]

completing an electrical circuit

Actually, they break the circuit when the wire is worn through.

That makes more sense! I was wondering how it would complete a connection w/o giving a lot of false positives (on/off/on) but a brake is a brake!

So if my old ones are still OK continue to use them or will they break or fail prematurely if old?

Again I'm seeing good prices on disc/pad combos that don't include the sensor.

[Loren]

I don't see any problem with reusing them as long as the insulation is not cracked or worn through.

[Tool Pants]

We reuse them if they are ok. I still have the original sensors on my 1997. If your light is not on then just buy pads and save yourself the money.

[rsfeller]

We reuse them if they are ok. I still have the original sensors on my 1997. If your light is not on then just buy pads and save yourself the money.

Good news! I guess there is some pulsing in the front on braking so I'm guessing the rotors are warped. Owner says he things the rotors are original but I haven't taken deliery of the vehicle till this weekend. Say no light on the brakes so I will reuse!

Shawn

[joee]

Some brake pads do not have the holes for the sensors, like Pagid. I used to take a cable tie and secure the sensors out of the way on the metal brake line. I recently cut them short and twiested them together and cramped an electircal connector on them. I was a little concerned about the tied up sensors rubing on wider tires I put in the front. Just seemed neater too.

[rsfeller]

Some brake pads do not have the holes for the sensors, like Pagid. I used to take a cable tie and secure the sensors out of the way on the metal brake line. I recently cut them short and twiested them together and cramped an electircal connector on them. I was a little concerned about the tied up sensors rubing on wider tires I put in the front. Just seemed neater too.

Anyone got alist of which brake vendors or models have the holes and which don't...or anyone got a short list tucked away in their brain...

[Tool Pants]

The Mintex front pads I put in did not have the holes, so I drilled them.

[rsfeller]

The Mintex front pads I put in did not have the holes, so I drilled them.

Pretty easy to figure out where to drill the new holes once you look at the old pads?

Shawn

[Tool Pants]

Just match up the hole in an old pad with a new pad that does not have a hole. In the pictures the new pad is the thicker one that I drilled the hole.

[rsfeller]

Just match up the hole in an old pad with a new pad that does not have a hole. In the pictures the new pad is the thicker one that I drilled the hole.

You are right, looks real easy and since the sensor is just on a wire one it appears one could be off a mm either way with no concerns.

Other then taking it slow is there any trick to drilling into the brake material?

Does it crumble easily?

I would guess that would depend on the make and content of the pad material.

My 986 arrives this evening about 8pm EST...so I get fo find out my true "to do" list soon!

[Tool Pants]

I was supprised the pad material was so "soft". Drills real easy. Did not crumble. Made a clean hole. Takes just a few seconds for each pad.

[tselbo]

Just put on Pagid pads and they had the holes drilled in. You can reuse the sensor as long as its not worn down too much along with the pad.

[rsfeller]

Just put on Pagid pads and they had the holes drilled in. You can reuse the sensor as long as its not worn down too much along with the pad.

I still don't understand how the sensors work. If they are caused by a break in continuity then how come they keep coming on and off and on again? I just did my brakes last nigth and they were 100% intact (the sensors) yet the light came on several times.

I estimated about 20% pad life left.

Now I have red box mintec and zimmer cross drilled/sloted and zinced. man can they stop, dust not bad yet but they do smell if you get on them hard. This may be to much brake for road use but the price was great. Sensors, pads and front rotors for $289 on ebay with cadium coating.

[Loren]

They are just a wire so if they come on and off then there is an intermittent connection or break in the wire.

[rsfeller]

They are just a wire so if they come on and off then there is an intermittent connection or break in the wire.

That is the way I understood it from our last discussion but was just surprised under post replacment inspection that I didn't see it very easily. Obviously it's there.