how long after the initial *squeek* of your brake pads letting you know they're ready to go do you have before they *need* to be replaced - i have a set of pads in the trunk ready to go, but i can't do any work on a car at my apartment... so i might have to wait. question being, do i wait until next weekend so my bro in law has something to work on when we all get together, or do i need to find a friends house to bum the driveway from for a little bit...

matt

A couple weeks should be ok.

Ultimately, it'* up to you as long as you know what causes the squeak. The squeaker tab is metal. The noise it creates is from that metal tab rubbing on your metal rotor. Think about it

In most cases that'* what it is. Unless you can't stop well, I wouldn't worry too much.