Brake Pads Wearing at an Angle: Causes and Solutions
If you’ve noticed that your brake pads are wearing at an angle, you may wonder what could be causing this issue. This blog post will explore possible causes of angled brake pad wear and discuss potential solutions.
Possible Failures for the Brake Pads Wearing at an Angle
Misaligned Calipers
- Misaligned Calipers can happen for various reasons, such as damaged caliper mounting brackets or incorrect installation.
- To fix misaligned calipers, you will need to start by raising the vehicle and removing the wheels to access the brake calipers.
- Once the calipers are visible, you will need to check the caliper mounting bolts to ensure they are correctly tightened and not damaged.
- If the bolts are loose or not in good condition, they should be replace with new ones.
- You will also need to check the caliper slide mechanism to ensure it functions correctly.
- If the slide mechanism is not in good condition or not moving freely, it may need to have a new look.
- Once you have checked and adjusted the caliper mounting bolts and slide mechanism, you can test it yourself.
Worn or Damaged Steering and Suspension Components
- If these components are not functioning correctly, it can cause the wheels to be out of alignment, leading to angled brake pad wear.
- You will need to raise the vehicle and remove the wheels to access the components to fix this.
- You will then need to inspect the components for wear or damage, such as cracks, rust, or loose or missing bolts.
- If you find any damaged components, you will need to replace them with new ones.
- Replacing requires specialized tools such as a torque wrench and a spring compressor.
Incorrect Brake Pad Installation
- If the brake pads are under the correct installation, it can prevent them from wearing unevenly.
- To fix this, you must raise the vehicle and re the wheels to access the brake calipers.
- You will then need to remove the brake pads from the calipers by loosening the retention clips or bolts that hold them in place.
- Once the pads are free, you will need to check that they are the correct type for your vehicle and that they are accurate in need of notice.
- Suppose the pads are the wrong type. In that case, they should be removed and installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Replacing will typically require specialized tools such as a C-clamp o and spreader.
Uneven Brake Rotor Surface
- If the brake rotor is not smooth and even, it can cause the brake pads to wear unevenly.
- To fix you will need first to identify the cause of the unevenness.
- It could be due to warping, scoring, or pitting on the rotor.
- If the rotor is slightly under the warping condition, you can fix it using a brake rotor straightening tool.
- This tool applies pressure to the rotor to straighten it out.
- It will need to change if the rotor is severely warped or has deep scores or pits.
FAQs of Brake Pads Wearing at an Angle
What are the symptoms of brake pads wearing at an angle?
- One of the main symptoms of brake pads worn at an angle is a pulsating or vibrating sensation when braking.
- You may also notice uneven or excessive brake pad wear or a pulling sensation when braking.
Can I continue to drive with brake pads worn at an angle?
- It is generally not recommended to continue driving with brake pads worn at an angle.
