Uneven Brake Pad Wear???

#1

I was changing my front HAWK HT-10’s this evening getting ready for Road Hotlanta and noticed very uneven wear on the front pad. The pads were worn down to 1/16" on one end and tapered to a thickness of probably 3/16" on the other end. On both left and right wheels, the inside pad against the piston was worn much more at the bottom than at the top. the outside pad wear while similar was a much less pronunced difference.

Any idea what would cause the uneven wear pattern?

Thanks.

Keith

#2

smithk3933 wrote:

[quote]I was changing my front HAWK HT-10’s this evening getting ready for Road Hotlanta and noticed very uneven wear on the front pad. The pads were worn down to 1/16" on one end and tapered to a thickness of probably 3/16" on the other end. On both left and right wheels, the inside pad against the piston was worn much more at the bottom than at the top. the outside pad wear while similar was a much less pronunced difference.

Any idea what would cause the uneven wear pattern?

Thanks.

Keith[/quote]

Uneven application of the brakes? :silly:

Just Kidding.

I would be interested as well. I had that problem, but it has seemed to miraculously disappeared. Thanks for reminding me that I need to replace my pads.

-Steve

#3

This happens to me too; I believe it’s due to poor design of the guide pins that the caliper slides in, allowing the caliper to shift and apply pressure in an uneven manner. When I remember to, I compensate for this by peridically "rotating" the pads and this seems to even out the wear.

#4

I just changed pads to get ready for Rd Atl (glad to hear the Smiths will be there…but Brandon is getting too fast!) and my pad wear was mostly even.

In true "hose clamp racing" fashion, my calipers are the original 256,000 mile units.

Carter

#5

Hey Keith - I just replaced our HT-10s prior to VIR. They were worn, but the wear was even. We have Girling front Calipers - not sure if that makes a difference, but may. Our car is "young" among the group at only about 80,000 miles.

Ed

#6

Did you guys figure out the problem with your brakes during the Sunday VIR race?

Carter

#7

Carter,

The howling from the front went away. It makes me think the uneven wear is related. It’s like the pads aren’t laying flush across the whole surface of the rotor. I’ll see if the new pads help the situation.

Looks like I will come down Friday afternoon for the road Atlanta event. I will be solo so the faster Mr. Smith will be safe back in Raleighwood (probably catching up on his summer reading!)

See you then.

Keith

Post edited by: smithk3933, at: 2006/08/09 20:16

#8

The uneven pad wear is thought to be related to the design of the caliper. The guide pin is rubber bushed and can twist/bind. The ATE calipers have an aftermarket bronze bushing available but not the Girling. Generally the best thing to do is replace the guide pin or rebuild it and keep it clean and lubed so it doesn’t bind and excacerbate the uneven wear

#9

nasaregistrar wrote:

Yes, but the solid guide pin isn’t legal. I asked about this when I was first building my car. The Girling calipers don’t suffer from nearly the same amount of guide flex.

#10

sharkd wrote:

[quote]nasaregistrar wrote:

Yes, but the solid guide pin isn’t legal. I asked about this when I was first building my car. The Girling calipers don’t suffer from nearly the same amount of guide flex.[/quote]
Yes, this is correct. No upgrade of the pin bushing allowed. For some reason the ATE calipers cost way more too…best bet IMO, is to get new factory pin bushing rebuild kit and keep 'em lubed and clean

#11

Hey Carter - we had a hard line break at about the differential level, drivers side - totally draining the reservoir. I plan on replacing the line this weekend.

Ed

#12

edavidson wrote:

[quote]Hey Carter - we had a hard line break at about the differential level, drivers side - totally draining the reservoir. I plan on replacing the line this weekend.

Ed[/quote]
was it the one along the subframe??? how did it break?

#13

nasaregistrar wrote:

[quote]edavidson wrote:

[quote]Hey Carter - we had a hard line break at about the differential level, drivers side - totally draining the reservoir. I plan on replacing the line this weekend.

Ed[/quote]
was it the one along the subframe??? how did it break?[/quote]

Dropping three-off in turn 1, lap 1, maybe? :huh: :ermm: :whistle:

#14

That would do it…

#15

It was along the subframe - and Dan is probably right about the cause.

#16

Carlton had a hard line burst during a Road Atlanta race. His is a Yankee (note the capitalization, out of respect :stuck_out_tongue: ) car so the line had some corrosion issues.

Tip to new car builders…inspect every inch of brake line in your car.