Dummy question here: I've replaced brake pads before, but have never run into this question yet. Which brake pads are the correct size?

I'm looking for replacement brake pads on rockauto and I'm seeing several different sizes depending on the size of the front rotors: 274 mm, 275 mm, 293 mm, 294 mm, 10.86", 11.57". I asked my neighbor who is a mechanic how to know. He measured my front rotor and said it's 12". But 12" is 304.8 mm which doesn't match the possibilities. I can measure again, but should I measure just the diameter of just the braking surface? Or is there a better way to get it right?

 

Well, I finally got a round tuit and changed the front brake pads. Back in February when I was puzzled, I went to O'Reilly's and found that their catalog had only 10.86" pads, but I didn't like their price on the ceramic pads. So I ordered the Bosch BC864 ceramic pads for the front and BC813 for the rear from RockAuto and they have been sitting in the garage since March and it's now September. The front brake pad fit perfectly. Rear pads TBD someday - just don't hold your breath waiting for me.

And, oh yeah, they work great and are really quiet.

 

Glad you got it sorted mate! Always a relief when the parts fit right. Good choice with the bosch pads, they're usually pretty solid.

 

And oh yeah, I changed the rear brake pads a couple weekends ago. It turns out the old ones could have gone another year or two, but it's good to get them done within a couple weeks of each other.