Brake pad wear & inspected regularly
To maintain the performance of your brake system and prevent uneven brake pad wear, you should schedule regular brake maintenance appointments with a trusted mechanic. Regular inspection of your brake pads, lines, calipers, and other components can help identify problems early and keep the stopping power of your front and rear brakes balanced.
How to properly install brake pads
When replacing brake pads, it is important that a technician properly installs and adjusts the new brake pads. Misaligned or bent brackets can cause uneven wear and reduce the effectiveness of your braking system.
If you choose to try replacing brake pads yourself, be sure to follow the correct procedure and take your time. Brake component maintenance
Maintenance of the various components of the brake system, such as cleaning and lubricating the slide pins or replacing worn caliper bolt boots, helps prevent uneven brake pad wear. Investing time in regular maintenance can extend the life of your brake pads and other brake components.
Uneven brake pad wear diagnosis
Identifying brake pad wear patterns
To diagnose uneven brake pad wear, check the pads for splines or tapers, which may indicate a quality or installation problem. Look for differences in wear between the inner and outer pads.
Evaluate rotor thickness deviations
After checking the brake pad wear pattern, check whether the rotor (disc) has differential thickness (DTV). Excessive DTV can cause brake judder and pulsation.
Measure the rotor thickness with a micrometer at several points around the circumference to ensure it is within tolerance. If you can’t do this yourself, you can have it done at a brake repair shop.
Check the residual brake fluid pressure
Check the residual brake fluid pressure to prevent piston sticking and uneven brake pad wear. Bleed the brakes and check the system for signs of residual pressure to identify potential issues and maintain optimal braking performance.
Correct Uneven Brake Pad Wear
In some cases, your brakes may need a little TLC to repair unevenly worn brake pads. If you don’t identify the root cause, simply replacing the brake pads will often result in uneven wear of the new pads as well.
1. First, check the brake caliper and its components. Make sure the caliper pistons are working properly and aren’t stuck. If there are any issues, you may need to replace the caliper or pistons.
2. Please also note that the guide pins play an important role in preventing uneven brake pad wear. Proper lubrication of the slide pins will allow the floating caliper to move freely. If you find any corrosion or damage to the slide pins, be sure to replace them.
3. Inspect the brake lines for signs of wear or damage. If there is excessive heat or obvious damage, it’s time to replace the brake lines.
4. Next, check the rotor thickness to make sure it’s within the acceptable range. Consult your vehicle’s repair manual or ask a professional mechanic for disc thickness values. If the rotor is too thin, you’ll need to replace it (and the rotor on the opposite side).
5. While you’re working on these components, don’t forget to look after the brake pads themselves. For best results, choose high-quality brake pads that are specific to your vehicle.