97 Saturn SL Drum Brake Question

I measured the thickness of the bonded brake material on the rear drum
brakes and it was 1/8".

What is the thickness of the brake material on new brake shoes?

Are my brakes 1/2 worn? 3/4 worn? shot? ...

 

I don't know the original thickness, but generally use the rule of thumb
that when the braking material is down to the thickness of the backing plate
it is time to replace them. At 1/8" I think you are there now .

Bob

 

According to www.alldatadiy.com (pay service, but well worth the $ in my
opinion)

The thickness of the new brakes is 0.16"

The thickness at which the brakes should be discarded is 0.04"

You measure 0.125"

You have consumed 0.035" of brake material, and the total amount of brake
material that can be consumed before the brakes need to be replaced is 0.12"

You've used up 0.035/0.120, or 29% of the life of the brakes.

If I were you, I'd put them back and check them again when you've doubled
(or tripled) the mileage of your car.

 

Thanks Kirk,

Prior to reading your message, I got new brakes from Advance Auto Parts,
compared the thickness with the new ones and noticed that there was little
wear, so I returned them. Note: car has 126,000 miles - still has original
rear brakes. Looks like I may be able to get 300,000 miles on them (Mostly
highway driving).

 

Most rear brakes don't wear that much as long as you drive with the
emergency brake down. Especially in a saturn with highway driving.