??Un-even brake pad wear??

[JObranovich]

Is it typical that the brake pads on an '03 Z06 would wear un-even? I checked my pads today (getting ready for a track day) and it looks that the front inside pads are thinner than the outside. There is plenty of meat left on the outer pads, but it is hard looking around the caliper to check the inner pads. Do they normally wear evenly. I'd hate to pull the caliper for no reason.

Thanks!!

[SRV]

It's normal, don't worry about it.

[JObranovich]

Originally Posted by SRV

It's normal, don't worry about it.

I have just flushed and bled the brakes with new brake fluid. The problem seems to be (maybe not a problem) that the outside pad looks thicker than the inside pad on both front calipers. Maybe I'm not able to see the entire inside pad?? As far as wear across the surface of each pad it appears to be even. I have about 1/2 to 3/4 inch brake pad remaining on the outside pad, can I safely assume that the inner pad is the same? The inner pad looks about 1/4 inch left, but I can't get a good visual on it with the caliper and rotor in the way.

[Lancer033]

I'm guessing that you don't have brake cooling ducts installed and if that is the case, the inside pads would be hotter than the outside because they're not getting as much air.

additionally, you may see the leading edge of the pad wearing faster than the back because they take the majority of the brake load. The only way to solve this is to replace the calipers with a multi-piston caliper with different size pistons.

the last problem you could see with pad wear is that the side of the pad closest to the hub will wear faster than the inside edge. This is because your calipers are spreading from the heat. Eventually you'll have to replace your calipers.

[SRV]

Originally Posted by JObranovich

I have just flushed and bled the brakes with new brake fluid. The problem seems to be (maybe not a problem) that the outside pad looks thicker than the inside pad on both front calipers. Maybe I'm not able to see the entire inside pad?? As far as wear across the surface of each pad it appears to be even. I have about 1/2 to 3/4 inch brake pad remaining on the outside pad, can I safely assume that the inner pad is the same? The inner pad looks about 1/4 inch left, but I can't get a good visual on it with the caliper and rotor in the way.

I know this is bothering you, so here's what to do so that you can see both brakes pads simutaneously, and, it's easy to do.

Take off the wheel.

Looking at the top of the caliper, there is one bolt holding the caliper to the caliper bracket; remove it using a 15mm socket or wrench. You may have to counter-hold the portion on the bracket.

Once the top caliper bolt is removed, simply rotate the top of the caliper towards the back of the car (..you may need a soft-blow hammer to whack it!); it will pivot on the bottom caliper-to-bracket-bolt.

With the caliper rotated out of the way of the rotor, you now have easy-access to both brake-pads, and you can eyeball/mic them all you want.

To reassemble, put the pads back into the caliper (..if you took them out), rotote the caliper back into position, and tighten the caliper-to-bracket-bolt to 23 ft-lbs.

It's as easy as it sounds.

[SRV]

Originally Posted by Lancer033

additionally, you may see the leading edge of the pad wearing faster than the back because they take the majority of the brake load. The only way to solve this is to replace the calipers with a multi-piston caliper with different size pistons.

the last problem you could see with pad wear is that the side of the pad closest to the hub will wear faster than the inside edge. This is because your calipers are spreading from the heat. Eventually you'll have to replace your calipers.

Excellent info, thanks!