Scary Brake Pad Failure
Discussion
Here's a reminder why brakes should be regularly maintained and inspected.
Mate of mine bought a really nice 54 plate C Max 1.6 TDCi last year from a reasonably well respected small local trader.
One owner, 55K miles, now on 62K. He asked me to have a look as his Mrs reported odd noises from the front brakes and a weird feeling on the pedal.
Didn't even need to drive it to see the problem, could see it through the wheel. What was left of the pad lining detached from the backplate and wedged between the pad carrier and the disc.
Pads were Motorcraft and quite possibly, bearing in mind the low mileage, the originals. All of the other pads were seized solid in the carriers and coated in years of crap and brake dust. clearly nothing had been done for years.
First time I've ever come across this happening, thankfully the failed lining didn't drop out and was still half functioning but wouldn't have lasted much longer wedged in there. Scary s
t.
Mate of mine bought a really nice 54 plate C Max 1.6 TDCi last year from a reasonably well respected small local trader.
One owner, 55K miles, now on 62K. He asked me to have a look as his Mrs reported odd noises from the front brakes and a weird feeling on the pedal.
Didn't even need to drive it to see the problem, could see it through the wheel. What was left of the pad lining detached from the backplate and wedged between the pad carrier and the disc.
Pads were Motorcraft and quite possibly, bearing in mind the low mileage, the originals. All of the other pads were seized solid in the carriers and coated in years of crap and brake dust. clearly nothing had been done for years.
First time I've ever come across this happening, thankfully the failed lining didn't drop out and was still half functioning but wouldn't have lasted much longer wedged in there. Scary s
t. Blaster72 said:
I agree, it's something many people overlook and trust too much on the previous owners to take care of them.
I'm currently in an argument with a Honda dealer and Honda UK as one of their dealers didn't notice one of the inside rear pads was seized and had worn the pad to 95% - apparently they couldn't hear the acoustic pad wear indicator when daughter took the car in and the vehicle health check, which gave the brakes a green, is a visual on-the-ground check only.The dealer recommended power washing the callipers in future.
Sheepshanks said:
I'm currently in an argument with a Honda dealer and Honda UK as one of their dealers didn't notice one of the inside rear pads was seized and had worn the pad to 95% - apparently they couldn't hear the acoustic pad wear indicator when daughter took the car in and the vehicle health check, which gave the brakes a green, is a visual on-the-ground check only.
The dealer recommended power washing the callipers in future.
Seriously? no way would I pressure wash brake calipers. The dealer recommended power washing the callipers in future.
Annual strip, clean, de-rust, de-glaze, lubricate and re-assemble.
And whilst you're in there you get to check all the stuff in the area, wheels, tyres, suspension arms, joints, cv gaitors, track rod ends etc etc.
Reminds me of the complete brake pad failure I once had coming down Lynton hill. The friction material completely disintegrated leaving only the metal backings pressing on the disks by the time I'd got to the bottom. How they didn't weld solid I don't know. Awful grinding noise and metal dust all down the side of the car. I managed to get back up Lynmouth hill and then down Porlock hill again by using the handbrake and first gear. By the time I'd got home to Cardiff the brake discs were in a right old state.
I have friends plus a girlfriend I don't need to inflate and I strip clean and lube my calipers at least every year, it only takes an hour or two anyway.
Back when I was a mechanic this was standard practice but seems to have been superceded by a “visual check” usually without removing the wheels.
My mates in the trade often come across the stuck on brake issue especially when there has been a spell of bad weather, not helped by caustic wheel cleaner and pressure washing.
Back when I was a mechanic this was standard practice but seems to have been superceded by a “visual check” usually without removing the wheels.
My mates in the trade often come across the stuck on brake issue especially when there has been a spell of bad weather, not helped by caustic wheel cleaner and pressure washing.
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