I replaced the front pads and rotors on my truck a couple of years ago and I think I have maybe 25,000 miles on them at this point. I unfortunately am not able to find the notebook I usually keep in the glovebox with everything thing I have ever done to the truck so I don't have the exact mileage but it hasn't been too many so they should still be useable but they are making a nasty squealing noise. I installed EBC slotted and dimpled rotors and Akebono ceramic pads, and the pins were well lubricated. The noise is on the Driver's side front. I pulled the rotor off and it has worn on the inside to the point that the slots and dimples are almost gone. The inner pad has worn to the point where there is no more chamfer, yet the outer pad still has plenty of chamfer left. The outer pad is maybe twice as thick as the inner. I thought it might be the caliper but I checked the passenger side and it looks about the same.

Is this typical? I plan to install new rotors and pads anyway but I'm not sure if I need calipers too. I have about 138k on the truck and I assume the calipers are original. The truck stops great and there is no shudder or pulling so I don't think the calipers are bad but the difference in pad wear seems significant.

 

1.Do your caliper glides spring in and out easliy, like pop out after you compress them.
2. Is this simular to your wear was like the last time you did them.
I had the same issue with a set of akebonos and it was the pins, even though i cleaned and lubed them, sure enough they were hanging up.

 

I really don't remember how they looked last time but I imagine I would have noticed if they were that uneven. The pins pop out easily but who knows, might be the problem. They only cost $25 so I might as well replace them.

 

I would think pad wear in the inboard side would point to a caliper piston sticking, or a collapsed brake hose.

 

SS brake lines in good shape and both sides look the same so maybe 2 bad calipers? Not too sure that's the case but could be.

 

What I have seen from collapsed brake hoses, is they allow fluid to flow through in one direction (into caliper) but not back out. What happens is the material inside the hose wears out and creates a one-way valve of sorts. Impossible to see from the outside. I suppose you could test it and see if you can push the extended caliper piston back in without cracking open the bleed screw. If the piston cannot be pushed back, open the bleeder. If the piston binds when retracting with bleeder open, it's a caliper issue.

 

I had he same issue with my old pads. The pins were frozen in place and the rubber boots for them in poor condition. When I installed the new pins/boots the difference in back pressure was dramatic. It's only been a week so I can't say if that solved the issue, but I am guessing it was a big part if not all of it.

So you may try changing those, because if you change pads you have to change rotors I believe.

 

The pins on mine are in great shape, covered in lube and slide easily. My research indicates that it is likely the calipers. The piston seals are supposed to help the pistons retract a little. If the pistons don't either due to seals that aren't resilient enough or corrosion then that pad will drag. Considering that they are 12 years old with 138k on them, I'm just going to replace them. I have a set of calipers with brackets and new pins on the way along with new pads. For $160 everything will be new so I should be set.

 

Fyi
if gour getting replacement calipers with brackets you will most like fine oversized guides. Not a real issue unless you have one freeze up in the future. At least that i what i found one the last rebuilt calper with bracket i bought.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I'll compare the pins when I pull out the old ones. Of course, since they aren't readily available oversize then I will be stuck buying another caliper or new brackets next time. If these hold up as long as they should, it probably won't be an issue anyway because the frame will be dust by then.