Do *new in box* brake pads have a shelf life?

[BrakeL8]

Forgive the likely stupid question- I take braking/tires/etc of vehicles very seriously since they carry precious cargo in them and not to mention interact with other vehicles on the road with people's loved ones in them.

Just received porsche front/rear pads from Pelican. The rears have a date of 11/2000 on them- box definitely aged. I have *NO PROBLEM* with this- and the pads look perfect, I'm just ignorant as to whether anything like oxidation/age/air/etc affects brake pads.

Certainly presume not? Would value confirmation before I throw them on the car. Thank you!

[UROParts]

Pelican will probably chime in with an official response, but given that brake pads survive incredible heat, pressure and adverse environmental conditions for years on end, it's unlikely that sitting in a box on a shelf for 19 years indoors could have much of an effect.

[BrakeL8]

Much appreciated- that was my exact thinking and they of course look perfect. I just wanted to do my due dilligence here as a shade tree mechanic.

[2jmotorsports]

Originally Posted by UROParts

Pelican will probably chime in with an official response, but given that brake pads survive incredible heat, pressure and adverse environmental conditions for years on end, it's unlikely that sitting in a box on a shelf for 19 years indoors could have much of an effect.

Well put!

[Coastr]

In fact they are probably better quality than something made recently. 20 years ago was a different world entirely.

[BrakeL8]

Btw- absolutely tickled that a 20 year old box shows up on a pelican order. So amazing the depth and scale of their parts stocks. Thanks Wayne!

Like getting a bit of nostalgia and looking at the printed differences due to tech age on the labels.

[kamaro]

they used to use asbestos in the old pads, very harmful substance.

[Superman]

Brake shoes are sometimes, basically, asbestos pads. Still, it is likely they will last forever given that asbestos is a.....mineral.

Brake pads are a different story. I suppose it is possible to put asbestos in them but basically, they are an ablative metal. So,....they are stones. Unless the glue between the metal backing plate and the pad fails, I'd expect them to last millennia.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Superman

Brake shoes are sometimes, basically, asbestos pads. Still, it is likely they will last forever given that asbestos is a.....mineral.

Brake pads are a different story. I suppose it is possible to put asbestos in them but basically, they are an ablative metal. So,....they are stones. Unless the glue between the metal backing plate and the pad fails, I'd expect them to last millennia.

Pretty much.

If they can withstand the very high temps of hard use, and sub zero of sitting outside in the winter, and rain, and snow, a few decades will not hurt them. They sure don't need to be soft or compliant or flexible. They are not like tires. I would never use 20 year old tires for more than moving a show car around. Brake pads, yea, no problem.

I would bet there are many cars on the road with the original pads after way more time than that. I saw a 85 911 much like mine except it only had 15,000 miles. No doubt OEM pads and everything else.

[Coastr]

So does the box say whether they have asbestos in the pads? Or are you left to guesswork?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Superman

Unless the glue between the metal backing plate and the pad fails,

I do see newer car (last 20 years) parking brake shoe material de-laminate. The ones with a caliper on the outside.

They are not meant to be emergency brakes so I suspect built (glued) to a much lower fit-for-purpose standard.

[BrakeL8]

So I get the sense most of you would just install as normal.

First brake job in the 911 so once rotors and misc in the second shipment arrive Monday I’ll tackle.

[porsche930dude]

Well here in the land of rust its very common for the pad to get rust behind it and fall off. I prefer riveted pads for this reason. I suspect over time the glue degrades under any conditions. Id be a little miffed as you are but I would use them

[smadsen]

I think asbestos was mandated out of brake pads in the late '70's, early '80's. If the pads look good, but are of unknown origin, I'd rough them up on a flat plate with sandpaper. Can't tell you why. Maybe just to remove oxidized scum from storage. Might make them bed in a little quicker.

[DanielDudley]

The only reason to go to a modern pad would be because a lot of modern pads are rotor friendly, and will also have a much greater bite. You can get up to 40% more bite with a pad like a Hawk HPS. Some people still like a stiffer pedal, as long as it is progressive.

I don't think you have anything to lose by trying them, as long as they don't appear to have been damp for long periods.

[BrakeL8]

Thanks - after reading a ton of brake threads and originally thinking HPS or the new street ones I opted to stay stock as many advised for street driving. Have stainless lines and running. Factory Porsche genuine pads, sebro non-slotted/drilled rotors (my present ones are drilled- didn’t want cracking) and ATE 200 fluid.

Car braked amazingly for me when I bought it and was running Textar stock equivalent pads so figured this would be a good option.