Premature Brake Wear

Hey Guys;

Need some help.

My last front brake pad change on my Taco (Pre-Runner) was done at 151,000 miles (August 2013). Yesterday I started hearing a squeaky noise coming from my front right tire while driving and it sounded like the brake wear sensor. The mileage on the truck is at 158,540. Since the front brakes had just been done (7.5K miles ago), I did not think it was the brakes, but decided to check them anyway. The left pads were normal and almost new (as expected). However, the right pads were worn to the metal wear sensor. The truck is not pulling to the right on long straight roads at high speeds, all seems and feels normal. What could have caused to right pads to wear down so quickly at only 7.5K miles of use?

When replacing the pads, the right caliper pistons retracted normally. Any ideas????

 

Even if the pistons restricted, the pins the caliper floats on could be sticking. That will cause premature wear.

 

We do not have Floating Calipers. They are Fixed Calipers ( hard mounted ) and have pistons on both the front and back halves of the caliper.

One piston could be sticking causing abnormal wear on that side, it wouldn't take much.

 

This is the truth.

 

Who replaced the pads? You? If you didn't do it personally, are you certain the right side actually was done? Weird stuff happens when people are rushed in shops.

I find it odd if both pads on that side are worn down in such a short mileage. Seems like both pistons (or maybe 4, not sure on the Taco) would have to be stuck to cause that.

 

It was just a guess. My truck only has 5k miles on it, and the one before this got traded in before it ever needed brakes so I have no idea what it looks like down there... Just took a shot in the dark. But as usual, I stand corrected (in BOLD even!) by the gurus.

 

Brake jobs are a high profit repair for many shops. They charge a lot and all they do is drop out the old pads and put in new ones.

To do it right, everything should be cleaned and the rods the pads ride on should be removed, cleaned off, lubricated with silicon or equivalent and re-installed.

In doing that, the pads have much less of a chance of freezing in place.

 

Thanks guys;

Yes, I did the brakes myself so I know both sides were replaced with new pads. Normally I clean all components with brake cleaner. One question, if a piston or two were sticking, it would make contact with the pad when the brakes are applied and once the pressure on the brake pedal was released, would the sticking piston still provide so much force on the pads to actually act as if the brakes were being applied? or would it retract just slightly through normal part movement as the vehicle travels and not have that much pressure that would cause the pad to wear so, but so fast?

Having said all this, I think you guys are correct and all points out to a sticking piston or two. THANKS for the feedback.

 

The amount of pressure needed to stop a vehicle is HUGE. So yes, the brake pads will 'relax' enough that you probably won't notice them 'dragging' (per say).

The Calipers actually 'adjust' themselves for pad wear. The disc pads will always sit just right up against (but not touching) the rotor. If the caliper is sticking ever so slightly....will prevent it from pulling back off the rotor enough.

Did you notice if the INNER or OUTTER pads had the same bad wear?

 

check the pins, sometimes they need a little sanding to get rough spots off, could be hanging the pad (s) from releasing all the way, even if the piston is releasing...


either the pins or a sticking piston....


jack her up, have a friend or wife or whatever pump the brakes whilst you observe, you should be able to see what is going on...

 

Janster: Both pads were badly worn, but the outer pad was slightly worse.

Bldegle2: I normally sand the pins slightly and apply a little bit of bearing grease. nevertheless, I'll have my wife pump the brakes and see if I can notice anything and let you guys know. Thanks.