I purchased a set of front Hawk HPS brake pads online. And when receiving them yesterday I found one inner pad with a broken wear indicator that came off. I really don't want to go though the trouble of returning these as my front brakes are way over due. Was wondering of people whom install front pads before, know if these are necessary for installation without needing to clip these onto the brake retainers or calipers? Below is a pix of what I'm talking about.

BTW, I have the sports package brakes

 

i wouldnt recommend installing these pads. I think you should return and get different ones

 

I'd install them, but I've always paid attention and changed pads before the wear indicators started making noise. Both sides should wear about the same and the one on the other side will still make noise if you run them that long. If you don't hear the one thats left you'll start hearing the rivet gouging your rotor before you loose braking completely and worst case you'll need to replace a rotor. Just supposing you are replacing worn out stock pads with those street pads which will last you at least 30,000 miles on the street you'll probably be replacing rotors anyway by then.

Of course, if you really have to ask, then it's probably not safe for you...

 

You know, some pads don't even have wear indicators. I always replace rotors with pads so I don't much care if the rotors get damaged by worn pads. Anytime you take off the wheels, it is a good opportunity to check the pads if you need to. I would install them without worry.

 

Well since you let your last set go till they were "way over due" I'd suggest you return these and get ones with the sensors intact. It will buy you some piece of mind also

 

+1. I don't know if you have these pads before but they really have poor initial bite unless you're pads are warmed up. I'd return them and get better pads. HP+, SSY, NS, etc.

Yes, it is ok to install pads without the wear indicator tab.

 

Thanks for the reply fellas, I'm just going to go ahead and install these and check up on them every so often by removing the tire when doing oil changes

 

Your brake light will come on for low fluid before your wear indicators start making noise.

Once you get down to about 4mm, the lights start coming on under heavy acceleration. (Brake, VDC, SLip)

 

^agreed.
Happened to me on the track and I thought I gave the G too much to handle as everything lit up like Christmas came early. ended up being the brake fluid being low(thanks G35driver and you 2nd gen peeps for figuring that one out).

I would also just install them, as I check the brakes everytime I swap winter/summer rims. I rarely wait till they come down to the wear indicators.