I own a 1999 Toyota Camry. When I took it in for routine maintenance, the service manager informed me that there was uneven wear on my brake pads. My driver's side brake has 60% padding left, the passenger's side 15% or so. The service manager suggested that I replace the hardware, calipers, and hoses, along with the pads on both sides. That makes for a pretty expensive brake job. Is it really necessary to do all that to LIKELY do away with uneven wear? Is there a less expensive option? I wanted to ask you Y!A mechanics before accepting the service. I always exercise caution at shops to help ensure that I don't get screwed. Thanks for your input.
2007-12-10 13:14:48 · 6 answers · asked by SoulDawg 4 UGA 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
This question is not uncommon among the many brake problems that are out there.
First of all if the problem is unveven brake pad wear then the hoses shouldn't be the reason for this to happen. The hoses just carry brake fluid to the pistons in the calipers which puts force against the rotor.
Second, I would start by replacing the brake calipers and the brake pads. New calipers, unless defective, should work properly to help maintain proper wear of the new brake pads.
Finally, check the rotors to see if they need to be machined. If they are worn too much or if they are warped replace them.
Hope this helps!!
2007-12-10 14:16:05 · answer #1 · answered by karate09 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Uneven Brake Rotor Wear
2016-11-07 07:31:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people think uneven pad weart is caused by calipers- NOT TRUE! the most comon problem is so simple and free to fix beyond replacing the pads and turning the rotors. The pads over time will build-up rust on them and the caliper bolt-on brackets. Replace the pads, and take the caliper bracket on clean off the rust very good, you may even have to take a little effort into cleaning them up, but you normally will find when you pull off the rotor and take the pads off the brackets- they are so frozen on, that you need to almost take a hammer to them to get them to free-up. If working properly, the pads should easily slide in the brackets with just a very little resistance.
2007-12-10 16:57:12 · answer #3 · answered by mrautomechanic 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a good answer already for the cause of the wear. You also asked about the pads rubbing even when you do not have the pedal depressed. The answer is yes they do, but that is not the cause of the problem as brakes are designed to have a little contact between the pads and disk and the shoes and the drum.
2016-03-14 06:57:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 2 most common things that cause uneven pad wear is a sticking or seized caliper pin or a sticking or seized caliper piston. Most places will have you replace the calipers.
If the pin is just sticking, it can be freed up by a good mechanic. If the piston is stuck, then i would recommend re-building the calipers. Caliper assemblies cost the most money. Re-build kits are cheaper.
Dont waste money on brake hoses unless they are leaking and i doubt they are. Only replace the hardware kit (shims and spring clips) if they are missing or damaged. They are usually re-usable.
The rotors need to be checked too .They usually machine the rotors on a brake job and they replace them if they are too thin to cut. Rotors are costly too. Rotors are re-usable unless they are too thin to cut. Make them show you how thin they are because they will try to sell you rotors even if you dont need it.
Hope this helps!
2007-12-10 13:43:52 · answer #5 · answered by Darth Dave 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
calipers maybe, brake pads definatly, rotors most likely, but there is no need for new hoses or a resavior or anything like that. probobly on your last brake job something wasnt installed right, causing it to be like that.
2007-12-10 13:19:56 · answer #6 · answered by Mike P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋