Brake pad adjustment?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: san diego california
Brake pad adjustment?
I just installed new rotors, pads and brake lines. Only the outer half of the right rear pad is contacting the rotor when braking. I removed the caliper and checked the pad for a blockage, but didn't see anything unusual. Is there an adjustment or something I might be missing that would cause this? Seems like either the pad is out of alignment or the caliper is not pressing the pad evenly. Any help? Thanks!!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Landisville PA
The caliper floats on the caliper pins, so it should self-center and apply equal pressure to each pad.
How do you know you are only getting the outer pad to make contact?
Maybe you've got some air in that line? If you do, you notice a substantial reduction in braking effect.
Does the pedal feel good, or is it mushy?
How do you know you are only getting the outer pad to make contact?
Maybe you've got some air in that line? If you do, you notice a substantial reduction in braking effect.
Does the pedal feel good, or is it mushy?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
There isn't an adjustment that I know of, but they do require a break in series of about 8 stops, from 60 down to 10, no abs activation, and don't come to a complete stop, then drive for a few miles to let them cool down, then do it all again. Mine made some minor weird noises and scrapes for about 50-60 miles before they were totally normal. and make sure you bled them well....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: san diego california
pad wear on rotor
I can see where the pad is wearing on the rotor...on the left rear, it is basically wearing across the entire width of the rotor, same as the fronts. On the right rear, it is only half the width, so the portion of the pad closest to the center of the rotor does not seem to contact the rotor under braking. I have done some hard 60-10mph stops up front, but I'm thinking maybe the brake line needs to be bled again, only thing I can think of. The car seems to stop very well, so I don't think it is a huge problem, but it just isn't correct as it is....
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Austin Tx
when you checked the pad, did you see if it was level across the pad? You could have a defective pad.
Another thing to do would be to take the wheel off and tighten a couple of lugs down on the rotor to keep it from moving then have someon apply the brakes and see if anything is moving or loose when it shouldn't be.
Another thing to do would be to take the wheel off and tighten a couple of lugs down on the rotor to keep it from moving then have someon apply the brakes and see if anything is moving or loose when it shouldn't be.
Last edited by leave it to beaver; Aug 13, 2007 at 12:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: san diego california
thanks
I'm going to bleed the brakes again in a couple of days, so I'll see if that helps.....good idea about tightening down the rotor, I can give that a check when I bleed them. Thanks all!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
If I remember correctly . There are some D shaped slots in the rear caliper pistons. These should be aligned in a vertical fashion so the tit on the back of the pad fits in the lower slot. If not you will not get a good contact resulting in a cocked pad. Don't ask me how I know.
Last edited by IrishEd; Aug 13, 2007 at 04:32 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Landisville PA
When you re-bleed the brakes, smack the caliper with a rubber mallet a few times. That will help to dislodge any air bubbles trapped in the piston. I had a bunch of bubbles left after the initial bleed on our new setup. Tapping with the mallet took care of that.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
This is a great coincidental question ---
I just changed my rotors and had the same exact conditions -- even the same side!
I had a deep groove in the rotor which I think may have been a piece of metal or something (which grooved the rotor)--- then the pad just wore uneven?
We'll see what happens how --- Good luck with the fix.
I just changed my rotors and had the same exact conditions -- even the same side!
I had a deep groove in the rotor which I think may have been a piece of metal or something (which grooved the rotor)--- then the pad just wore uneven?We'll see what happens how --- Good luck with the fix.