OLD brake pads?

I have some sets of OLD factory brake pads (or "break pads" if you're reading this on the CL) from 1992. They are still sealed in the original vacuum packing. Would these still be usable? I can't imagine why they wouldn't be, but thought someone here might know.

thanks.

I'd run them. The vacuum packing adds some confidence. If they were loose, I might worry a bit, though I'd still probably run them.

So, unused brake pads have a shelf life?

depends on what was on the shelf with them

Twinkies?

i've run tires older than that..

I've had customers pass on old quarts of oil because it's old. Oil has no shelf life! It stays in the ground for over 1,000,000 years!!

maybe the latest certification specs make them feel warm and fuzzy.

Hmmm...sounds like NOS brake pads? I mean, people buy them right? As long as they're vacuumed sealed, like said above, I'd probably just give them a lil once over, make sure that everything feels and looks right and run them, right?

can't say I have ever seen vacuume sealed brakepads

BoostedBrandon wrote: I've had customers pass on old quarts of oil because it's old. Oil has no shelf life! It stays in the ground for over 1,000,000 years!!

It may not have a shelf life, but the specifications can certainly change. Throw a few quarts of 20 year old Quaker State in your new M3's V8 and see how long it lasts.

To the OP- As long as the bonding to the backing plate is ok, and it hasn't had 20 year old Quaker State dripping on them, I'd run them.

Judging by the cans of old oil I've seen turn into a semi-solid jelly, I think there are some shelf life issues with oil.

Only a few things I can think of with the nos brake pads sitting on a shelf. Rust in between the backing plate and friction material, which should be obvious. Possible glue failure if the pads are bonded. Haven't ever seen or heard of this though.

I remember reading about a Triumph guy who was using a stash of 'NOS' asbestos pads for his modified TR.

/second-hand anecdotal evidence

BoostedBrandon wrote: I've had customers pass on old quarts of oil because it's old.

Market it to people with flat tappets.

Thanks for the responses (and oil education). I should have worded the post something more along the lines of "OLD NOS brake pads", but you people got around my lack of clarity.

Looks like they might be ok then and I'll probably put some of them up here for sale since I don't think I'll ever need pads for a Toyota van anytime soon.

Stan