ultra brake pads
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
All brake pads have a "minimum" thickness. If your pads fall below that thickness, it's time to replace them.
Rear pads: Replace if either pad is worn to 0.016 in (0.4 mm) or less above the backing plate
Front pads: Replace all front brake pads if the friction material of any single pad is worn to 0.016 in. (0.4 mm) or less above backing plate.
Rear pads: Replace if either pad is worn to 0.016 in (0.4 mm) or less above the backing plate
Front pads: Replace all front brake pads if the friction material of any single pad is worn to 0.016 in. (0.4 mm) or less above backing plate.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,007
Likes: 5,532
From: Wilkes Co.- N.C.
gotta pull the caliper to check ......be careful with those bolts holding the caliper on...i stripped the head on one of mine...went to lowes and got some hex head bolts to replace all of them...i forget what size they are ....m8.5 or m10...you can take one of the olds ones to compare...i got replacement pads from Dr vtwin...lyndall...z plus....
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 552
Likes: 50
From:
You shouldn't need to remove the calipers to check the pad thickness. I have an 09 Ultra and it has the Brembos like your 08; on the front calipers you just pop off the perforated covers and look down into the calipers (or you can lay down on a creeper and look up if you wish without removing the covers). The rear caliper doesn't have a cover as I recall and you may need a mirror to be able to look down at the pads.
In PA the inspection limit is 2/32" and that's a pretty good number to use. That's fairly thin.
In PA the inspection limit is 2/32" and that's a pretty good number to use. That's fairly thin.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,007
Likes: 5,532
From: Wilkes Co.- N.C.
You shouldn't need to remove the calipers to check the pad thickness. I have an 09 Ultra and it has the Brembos like your 08; on the front calipers you just pop off the perforated covers and look down into the calipers (or you can lay down on a creeper and look up if you wish without removing the covers). The rear caliper doesn't have a cover as I recall and you may need a mirror to be able to look down at the pads.
In PA the inspection limit is 2/32" and that's a pretty good number to use. That's fairly thin.
In PA the inspection limit is 2/32" and that's a pretty good number to use. That's fairly thin.
Thats if ya just want to "eyeball" them....I was following RollaMo's post about checking the thickness...i like to measure mine and not change them until they are close to worn out.....damn things are pricey....
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 9
From: Southern Illinois
I change mine everytime i change tires, which usually is around 14000 miles. So far i've not got into the rotors.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
My service manual said the limit is 1 MM, as long as the pad is not less than the backing plate thickness, same as on a car. A visual inspection is all thats required, its not rocket science.