Strange brake wear
Discussion
Hi there,
Although I've only joined this evening, I've been an avid reader of the PH forum for quite some time now and a lot of the guys on here know their stuff, so it's the first place I thought of when I found this problem.
I've been hearing a squeaking noise of late coming from the front brakes under normal braking, so I thought I'd take the calliper off and have a look to see if I could see anything obvious. (Un)fortunately, I spotted the problem straight away. There's a nice lip on the inside edge of the disc and pad:
The disc and pad are fine on the outside of the discs:
Note: both pads have plenty of meat on them, even though the image of the uneven pad looks as if there's nothing left on it.
Now I know I'll now need a full set of front brakes, but what causes this? Can I prevent it from happening to the new discs and pads? It's a daily driver, and gets well looked after going to and from work, being my pride and joy. At the weekend I do drive it hard but I always let it warm up and cool down (the fear of piston 4 going pop on the Vauxhall 1.6T engines is too scary).
Cheers
Although I've only joined this evening, I've been an avid reader of the PH forum for quite some time now and a lot of the guys on here know their stuff, so it's the first place I thought of when I found this problem.
I've been hearing a squeaking noise of late coming from the front brakes under normal braking, so I thought I'd take the calliper off and have a look to see if I could see anything obvious. (Un)fortunately, I spotted the problem straight away. There's a nice lip on the inside edge of the disc and pad:
The disc and pad are fine on the outside of the discs:
Note: both pads have plenty of meat on them, even though the image of the uneven pad looks as if there's nothing left on it.
Now I know I'll now need a full set of front brakes, but what causes this? Can I prevent it from happening to the new discs and pads? It's a daily driver, and gets well looked after going to and from work, being my pride and joy. At the weekend I do drive it hard but I always let it warm up and cool down (the fear of piston 4 going pop on the Vauxhall 1.6T engines is too scary).
Cheers
It's called 'rust' 
It starts away from the friction surface and gradually works its way in - you'll note the same on the outer edge too.
Why it occurs more on the inner face than the outer I don't know, maybe someone more experienced will chime in. It does this regardless of caliper design, I've seen it on four-pots as well as single piston sliding. Make sure all the parts of your caliper are moving freely.
If there is enough meat on the discs you can get them skimmed, although they are so cheap these days to buy new it's not worth it anymore unless for some specific reason.
If you buy new discs try to find some zinc plated ones, this helps, If not get them done yourself.
It starts away from the friction surface and gradually works its way in - you'll note the same on the outer edge too.Why it occurs more on the inner face than the outer I don't know, maybe someone more experienced will chime in. It does this regardless of caliper design, I've seen it on four-pots as well as single piston sliding. Make sure all the parts of your caliper are moving freely.
If there is enough meat on the discs you can get them skimmed, although they are so cheap these days to buy new it's not worth it anymore unless for some specific reason.
If you buy new discs try to find some zinc plated ones, this helps, If not get them done yourself.
I thought rust would've been brown... or is it rust build up made shiny from the pad rubbing on it? 
Regardless, I'm getting some replacements today. I managed to get a full set of discs and pads for the front for £65 from the local parts place where I get a healthy discount, so it's not quite as big a dent in my wallet as at first it appeared.
Regardless, I'm getting some replacements today. I managed to get a full set of discs and pads for the front for £65 from the local parts place where I get a healthy discount, so it's not quite as big a dent in my wallet as at first it appeared.
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