Outside front right brake pad gone!

[edwx]

Noticed a lot of brake dust on right front wheel, so I just inspected it. The outside pad is almost gone. Inside pad has plenty left and appears normal. What causes this? Possibly stuck pad in pad holder? How far do I have to go to fix it. Assuming caliper is good, do I need to replace pads and rotors on front, both sides? Of course making sure pad moves freely in holder. Thanks, Ed

 

[Flag Gibby]

I would say that it could be that the caliper piston on the one side seized. Either way, I am sure that your rotor is shot and you are going to need to replace the whole caliper assembly.

 

[Tech By Trade]

also if the pins freeze they will do this too.

 

[edwx]

OK, yeah, I'll get some parts handy, and dig into it a bit more. Will report back.

 

[Explorer_PL]

I never replaced a caliper yet on mine. Replaced the slides with new ones. Cleaned the holes in the caliper, pack with new grease and rubber boots and they are still good.

 

[edwx]

I'm hoping the pistons are good, and that it's just a seized pin. I did replace one of my rear calipers though.

 

[edwx]

So the caliper/pistons appeared to be ok, but the pad carriers were a mess. Not uncommon after 10 years of a salt and rust infested winter environment here in Syracuse. I think the carriers rust and swell, which is a big problem. I did my wife's Colorado last summer, and it took me almost 2 hours using my primitive tools, to get everything cleaned up and ground down to accept new pads........the pads were about totally seized in her carriers....so now I looked at my brand new bracket/pad carrier that came with the new caliper, and it was a no brainer, the new caliper was going on. Saved me lots of work. The new pads slipped in easy, and were nice and loose. So I also went and bought a new caliper for the other side seeing as I was doing rotors and pads anyway. A great investment, a $50 part, and saved lots of work/time, and hopefully I won't have to revisit the front brakes again for the life of the vehicle. Gave it a test run and everything seems good for now. Just in time for our first winter storm, and more wet, salt, and rust.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Nice job -

what did you use to bleed the system ?

 

[edwx]

Well, I kinda eyeballed it. Just let the calipers fill by gravity until fluid was coming out of the bleeder, and then had my wife put a little pressure on the brake pedal. The brake fluid was coming out bubble free, so I just tightened down the bleeders and called it good. Seems to be braking fine. Pedal goes down pretty far, but it's always been that way. Doesn't seem spongy. And don't you know I got pulled over by the town cop on my way home from returning the caliper cores, wondering what the heck I did.......my inspection sticker was expired a month ago...oops. Thankfully, he only gave me a warning