DB9 brake pads wearing out too fast?

[Drbeng]

Have just taken my DB9 into the dealer for possible tyre change, and while he was looking over the car, he told me the rear foot brake pads were in need of replacement.

I am suspicious because I had the pads replaced just 3,500 miles ago - but he doesn't know that as I got my brother in law's garage to fit them (Aston parts, supplied by the same dealer where the car is at the moment)

Is it really realistic that pads could wear down so quickly? When I got the car last year, it had 14,500 miles on the clock, and I was told then that the pads had "30%" life left in them. I did another 3,000 miles before getting them replaced - and since I got them replaced my driving style hasn't changed. So if 70% worn pads can do another 3000 miles, how can brand new pads only manage 3,500?!

Any thoughts gratefully received - is the dealer pulling a stroke?

[JohnG1]

Drbeng said:

Have just taken my DB9 into the dealer for possible tyre change, and while he was looking over the car, he told me the rear foot brake pads were in need of replacement.

I am suspicious because I had the pads replaced just 3,500 miles ago - but he doesn't know that as I got my brother in law's garage to fit them (Aston parts, supplied by the same dealer where the car is at the moment)

Is it really realistic that pads could wear down so quickly? When I got the car last year, it had 14,500 miles on the clock, and I was told then that the pads had "30%" life left in them. I did another 3,000 miles before getting them replaced - and since I got them replaced my driving style hasn't changed. So if 70% worn pads can do another 3000 miles, how can brand new pads only manage 3,500?!

Any thoughts gratefully received - is the dealer pulling a stroke?

He probably works to very high tolerances. So he has to ensure that there will be enough pad left to last until the next service.

Ask for an explanation of why he says they need replacement and I am sure this will be explained in all details. You may of course disagree but I very much doubt that they would pull a fast one with brakes.

[Drbeng]

Cheers John for the response

What he claims is that they are down to 3mm - just off the warning sensor - and that they recommend 4mm as the replacement level. So it strikes me that the pads are pretty much worn down beyond their tolerances, according to his story.

Yet the same dealer said the pads had just 30% life left in them when I bought the car, and seemed to feel there was still time/mileage on my side (and I got another 3,000 miles in the end)

It just doesn't stack up...Could there be another reason for excessively fast wear? Could the pads have been fitted incorrectly and this caused them to wear excessively? I'd be surprised, as I'd have thought this would have also damaged the discs, but no sign of that

[Jockman]

JohnG1 said:

He probably works to very high tolerances. So he has to ensure that there will be enough pad left to last until the next service.

Correctamundo.

Is there an Indy nearby who could corroborate what you are being told, and perhaps quote?

Or appraise the Dealer of the full scenario and ask him to explain the anomoly.

There could conceivably be an unknown issue revealing itself in a timely manner here

[JohnG1]

Drbeng said:

Cheers John for the response

Could there be another reason for excessively fast wear? Could the pads have been fitted incorrectly and this caused them to wear excessively? I'd be surprised, as I'd have thought this would have also damaged the discs, but no sign of that

It's possible but this is normally totally obvious - you can see the disc is grooved or screwed up.

I'm afraid I don't know the specifics of life expectancy for DB9 pads and discs so I cannot help much more.

It's worth popping into a local reputable indy and seeing what they say.

[rick-derby-]

that amount of wear is not normal, I assume you are not a spirited driver and have not carried out numerous track days, for normal usage I would expect the rear pads to last between 15000 to over 20000 miles and the fronts 20000 miles plus,

[Drbeng]

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for all your thoughts. I have a service plan with a different dealer franchise, and the car is due its annual service this month. As a starting point I'm going to get them to have a look while they're servicing the car, and see what they say.

Failing that, I think it'll be back to brother in law, ask him to have a look, and then get him to fit a new set if necessary. He at least does these things for me free of labour - Aston quoted £500 for parts and labour just for the rear pads, when bro-in-law replaced the lot + sensors for £600!

Of course, if his lad is fitting them in a way that ensures they wear out every 3,500 miles then maybe dodging the dealer costs might be a false economy....

Anyway, it's good to get your views. I'm a newbie here, but I'm grateful and impressed with the input of you all

[LC23]

Quinny said:

Rick, why do rears wear out before fronts?? Is it because there is less material on them to start with...

The rear pads act as part of the traction control system. So more right foot = worn rear pads!

[Drbeng]

Rick - one other point - I will unashamedly say that I like to get the most out of the car's performance. No track days, and I certainly don't hammer the brakes consistently hard - and always let them get up to operating temperature if I do indulge in any heavy braking. But I will give her a good workout once the engine and the brakes are up to temperature and the opportunity presents itself (albeit rarely in and around Purley)

Considering that was the way I was driving before replacement, it seems these pads (if the story is true) have disappeared all too quickly!

[V8 Animal]

Quinny said:

Rick, why do rears wear out before fronts?? Is it because there is less material on them to start with...

Traction Control so i read in the bible i received a couple of days ago

[brakedwell]

I have EBC Redstuff pads on my DB9. No dust, no squeals and approx £120 per axle. Only con, no rear wear sensors.

[Drbeng]

Off to have an indy look at it Saturday morning. He said that what sometimes happens is water gets into the pistons and rusts them, causing them to stick - which could account for why they've worn down so quick.

Anyway, all will be revealed in the fullness of time, and I'll post back, for anyone who gives a toss!

[brakedwell]

Drbeng said:

Off to have an indy look at it Saturday morning. He said that what sometimes happens is water gets into the pistons and rusts them, causing them to stick - which could account for why they've worn down so quick.

Anyway, all will be revealed in the fullness of time, and I'll post back, for anyone who gives a toss!

Take a look at the Clean Wheels thread which is currently running. If wheel cleaners containing acid have been used they could have damaged the calipers. Wonder wheels and Autoglym Clean Wheels come to mind.

[tonyhall38]

also now have red stuff on fron.no dust...backs still look st....will be changing very soon

[Drbeng]

brakedwell said:

Take a look at the Clean Wheels thread which is currently running. If wheel cleaners containing acid have been used they could have damaged the calipers. Wonder wheels and Autoglym Clean Wheels come to mind.

Hmm, will have a chat with him about that too. I had the paintwork supposedly protected with a Pureguard finish when I bought the car (didn't stop the usual bubbling rust in all sorts of places), and have been using the Pureguard products they gave me that are supposed to work best with that finish (including wheel cleaner). Will check out that thread, cheers

[Drbeng]

Just back from the AM specialist - very interesting results.

Firstly I'd like to mention him, as the guy is very impressive - Tim Butcher, runs Trinity Engineering in Cobham. An Aston specialist, he's been working on them for the last 33 years since an apprentice - knows them inside out. Some impressive restoration jobs - DB5s, a DB2, a whole host of V8s. Has boundless knowledge and understanding of the cars and their engineering (classics and modern day), and clearly a very skilled craftsman - he will get my business from now on.

Anyway, as to the brakes issue; they are 25-30% worn - no where near what the dealer was claiming, and no where near needing replacing. They'd said 3mm left on the pads. I had 5.7mm. So I can only conclude they are either:
a) Incompetent
b) Lying b*****ds

Either way, they won't be getting any further business from me! Caveat Emptor all of you guys who, like me, might have taken the dealer at face value just because you kid yourself you might get a better standard of service from a prestige brand...

[Drbeng]

Quinny said:

Funny init??

I got pulled up on here for having a go at dealers, their practices and outrageous prices......

I accept they're not all the same.... But I stand by my opinion.... Find a place you can trust and stick with them...

100% with you Quinny. Porsche did the same thing to me when they replaced a set of brakes; the discs warped after 2 months, and they refused to replace them claiming I "hadn't been driving it enough"?! I went to a specialist from then on for that car, and it will be the case from here on with the AM. It will just be the stamp in the book for the dealer, and the proper love and attention will come from someone who cares about the job he's doing

Anyway, thanks for all your thoughts and comments guys - hopefully have more pleasurable things to chat about from here on!

[LC23]

I had a similar issue when I last took my car in for a service at a main dealers. Was told the brake pads are 60% worn and that they usually recommend replacing at that point. Also advised that the discs would need doing at the same time. Oh really. Had a glance at the discs, there was nothing wrong with them. Hardly a lip (and I mean minimal). They have at least another set of pads in them.

[STICKY3]

Hi, new to all this, recently had new discs fitted to my dB9, not original aston martin parts, but two piece brembo`s which arent normally availible in the uk, had them put together by Mode Racing at Silverstone, ok, a little pricey but no rust guaranteed and they look wicked, very helpful guys to deal with, they were telling me that the calipers are the same as on subaru impressas , you can buy the pads directly front them at a fraction of the price and they can even have them fitted for you.

[cayman-black]

Those lying fkers! Plus do not get tyres from the MD.