uneven brake pad wear

I'd guess the previous owner or his/her mechanic only changed the left pads last time.

I'd inspect the new ones 10,000 miles from now and see if they are wearing evenly. If not, then I'd wand to find the cause.

I agree it could be that only one side was replaced.

In any case I would:

- check the shims to make sure that the pads fit snugly and are not lose to rub against the disk when no pressure is applied.

- replace the brake fluid and make sure that the piston goes easily into the caliper.

- Make sure that the caliper slides easily on the tow posts that hold it to the pad holder bracket.

- Make sure that the pads have the shims that cover the surfaces that go against the caliper and piston

The seal you talk about is called a dust guard, the piston is the piston and the body where the piston goes is called the caliper. If dust/moisture etc., enter the piston/caliper assembly, the piston could stick, thus not freeing the pads completely when the pedal is released.

Good luck!

Jim Stewart wrote:

Was this vehicle used for postal or other curbside delivery? Sometimes that will cause very uneven wear. Or perhaps the caliper was sticking on the slides?

Carl

Carl, I'm intrigued in knowing what the reasoning behind your thought is. Initially, I thought that what you said didn't make sense, but I realized that you may know something that I don't. I always enjoy learning.

Thomas, I'll come and help you. Email me privately for a good time.

Well, I once heard a letter carrier that used his own vehicle (rural route I guess?) call into a 'well known automotive radio show' to ask if it was OK to just change pads/shoes on one side of his vehicle due to excessively uneven wear. Seems the tires that are in the gutter slide a lot on gravel, wet leaves, snow,??? And the tires in the street do the majority of the deceleration. But the OP's car would have to be British/something I think for that to be the problem so I vote for either a sticking caliper or, some type of damage/premature wear on the other wheel requiring a new set of pads.

Carl

Most likely the pads were just hanging up on some rust on one side. This happened to my '98.

Now I take the pads out every year or two, remove the clips and shims, clean off all rust on the pads and calipers with a file, re-grease the sliding surfaces, and put everything back together making sure the pads move freely. This does not take long. I live an area with road salt........

Peter

In alt.autos.subaru, (Carl 1 Lucky Texan) wrote in ::

Just stumbled across this: USPS apparently use right-hand-drive Subarus for some delivery routes, as the driver can lean out and stick items into postboxes without leaving his vehicle some of the time, and can exit on the kerb side at any time. Subaru in the UK have used this to their advantage at times, importing RHD US-made ones to the UK at knockdown prices.

Yeah, pretty sure some guys over at

Carl