What on earth is happening to these pads ?

[Stoatman]

My Mrs as of yesterday complained of a squealing noise when driving along. I have just witnessed it myself and its definitely in tune with the rotation of the wheels. Anyway I look at the front pads and they are very odd - not seen it before - . The back third of the pad is fully there and in contact with the disc however the front two thirds (towards the outer edge of the disc) look they are totally worn away or have broken off or something.You can actually get the edge of your finger behind where the pad should be. I have tried to take some photographs to explain :






So in the pics you can see the diagonal bit where the pad seems just to disappear .


Any help appreciated .

[nonuts]

When pads are new they are not always flat, ironically in this case to try and help with noises and bedding in.

[D_G]

They are normal, just chamfered pads. Cleaning where the pads meet the calipers and applying a small amount of copper grease should sort the problem.

[4key]

yep look normal to me and copper grease should stop the squeeking, or get the missus spray wd40 on them if you are bored of her moaning

[anonymous-user]

Doesn't look normal to me, I have never seen pads that aren't flat with a consistent thickness of brake pad material covering the backing plate. This looks like the pad isn't moving correctly in the carrier giving an un-even wear pattern.

I would suggest getting someone to press the brakes while looking at the brakes to see what is really happening.

[Effortless]

S'normal, innit??!!

If you look at your bottom photo, you can see where the chamfer leads down to the full thickness of the pad, which is in full contact with the disc.

They're only chamfered to reduce noise etc.

HTH,
Effortless

[anonymous-user]

Doesn't look normal to me, I have never seen pads that aren't flat with a consistent thickness of brake pad material covering the backing plate. This looks like the pad isn't moving correctly in the carrier giving an un-even wear pattern.

I would suggest getting someone to press the brakes while looking at the brakes to see what is really happening.

[Manicminer]

These are chamfered



Hard to tell without seeing yours out of the calliper but if the front 2/3rds are gone as you say I'd suggest a large piece has broken off. Cheap pattern pads can have a habit of shedding big lumps of material.

[D_G]

gottans said:

Doesn't look normal to me, I have never seen pads that aren't flat with a consistent thickness of brake pad material covering the backing plate. This looks like the pad isn't moving correctly in the carrier giving an un-even wear pattern.

I would suggest getting someone to press the brakes while looking at the brakes to see what is really happening.

Are you a mechanic? I have been for over 20 years, they are normal.

[4key]

jag xf fronts

[Crafty_]

Judging by the score around the disc in the first pic the noise could be stone stuck in the pad?

[Herbs]

Agreed with the pads.

I cannot see the pictures that clearly at work - is the disc scored roughly where the top of the pad would be?

[Stoatman]

Ok thanks, shows how much I know really. I have never seen chamfered pads before !. Yes I think the large score in one of the discs is pretty much in line with the outer edge of the pad. Do you think it likely that something has lodged itself in the out of sight chamfered bit ?

Oh and its a mazda 3 (sport ) if that helps.

[Herbs]

I'm not an expert by any means but if the pads are fine (ie bits not broken off) then the originsl complaint she had is still unresolved

[randomeddy]

The state of the discs wont be helping with the noise,there are signs of the ridge coming into contact with the pad.For the price of them they need changing soon.

[D_G]

Discs look fine, clean and copper grease first.

[randomeddy]

D_G said:

Discs look fine, clean and copper grease first.

Although the top picture shows clearly that the pad is coming into contact with the rusty edge of the disc?
Replace the discs,they are shagged.

I am not a mechanic but I have had eyes for a long time now.

[4key]

randomeddy said:

D_G said:

Discs look fine, clean and copper grease first.

I am not a mechanic.

Disks are fine, infact they have miles and miles left in them. That rusty bit on the lip is not being touched by the pads, it wouldnt be there if it was.

[Contigo]

Stone stuck in them. A few months ago was in the Hyundai and heard an almighty screech like the exhaust had fallen off and was scraping down the road. Stopped car and took a look and couldn't see anything hanging down at all so drove on, in the end it was a stone in between the pad and the disc and it was screeching! Very weird.

[jeff m2]

Somethings not right. Some pads may have champhers on the leading edge, but not at the top like those.
I doubt that car will stop very well 'cos the contact part of the pad is too near the centre of the disc.

Mazda, don't some Mazdas have the anti sqeal shim attatched to the back off one pad, hence the need to put them in the correct position. (inner and outer) Who put them in?

Whip off the wheel, spin the hub and watch the disc...is there any run out ????
If there is the wheel bearing may be xxxxed or loose.

Looks like the discs could do with a few minutes on the cutting machine too although I doubt that is the problem.