Rear brake pad repeatedly wearing out prematurely

klement · Fri Jan 23, 2015 4:22 pm

Hi all,

our Kizashi is now 4 years old and we are again facing issue with left rear brake pad. It was already replaced once under warranty because it wore prematurely. The dealer back then said that the mechanism was dirty and they cleaned and lubricated it plus replaced the brake pad of course.

Now the problem is back - the very same left rear brake pad is worn - the outer one. Took it to the dealer and they say that basically the both sides left and right are dirty and the pads are not moving correctly and they think that the system puts the most pressure on the left outer pad and due to that its worn. Even though its out of warrany, they are willing to replace the pad and the whole mechanism on the left side free of charge.

What I'm trying to figure out is WHY this happens - if anybody encountered anything like this, please chime in.

The car has 70000km, front brake pads were replaced @60000km, rear right brake pads are @35% thickness now.

Thanks,
Klement

Fri Jan 23, 2015 4:53 pm

I think another person ran into this issue as well. IIRC, it was caused by corrosion on the caliper that prevented the pads from moving properly.

Maybe painting the new calipers will help?

LPSISRL · Fri Jan 23, 2015 5:20 pm

The corrosion would have to occur on the slides for it to affect the pad wear. If they are properly lubricated and the dust seals are good, they shouldn't be corroding. If they are corroded again, they should be polished or replaced. Good for the dealer if they are replacing the whole caliper. I've got almost 60K miles on mine and have at least half the pads left. I'm not easy on the brakes either. Just ask my wife.

Fri Jan 23, 2015 5:22 pm

Strange that it's happened twice in the same wheel after replacing all components. I could see a defective caliper or dirt/grime causing it, but should occur randomly on any wheel. I have no complaints with this cars braking system. I'm at 85K miles with original pads still having plenty of pad left. I'm sure I'll hit 100K and then replace them. I do wash the car at least 2 times a month and make sure the under carriage gets cleaned. And during every maintenance I do myself, all wheel components are inspected and usually I clean down the entire caliper system by hand. It is interesting to me how any 2 cars can have such different lifespans when it comes to brake pads. Of Course driving habits and terrain have a lot to do with it, but the huge differences just shock me all the time. I do live in the Pennsylvania Poconos, so lots of hills, bad weather, salt, gravel. Only driving habit I try to use is engine braking down long hills, and very rarely do have to stomp on the brakes, always push down ever so slightly just to achieve the braking needed for the circumstance.

klement · Mon Jan 26, 2015 10:01 am

First time, only the brake pad was replaced and caliper cleaned and lubricated.

Maybe cleaning it regularly is the answer - that was the suggestion from the dealer as well.

LPSISRL · Mon Jan 26, 2015 2:03 pm

I don't buy that. If that were the case, then there would be a lot of us with the same issue and resolution. If you keep wearing one pad, something's wrong and it ain't dirt.