Braking bad...

peppersam740 · 08-20-2018, 10:28 AM

Hi Guy's; I have a 2016 basic Z. 9,000 miles. For some reason the front inside pads are wearing out. I replaced the front pads 4,000 miles ago. Now 5,000 miles later I see the inside pads need replacing again. This will be the 3rd time at only 9,000 miles. The dealer is a hundred miles away plus I don't care for them. I have always done my own brake work. It is a 2nd car for me to keep my Mustang out of the rain. Car has never been driven hard. I'm 66 yr's old. Ha

cv129 · 08-20-2018, 11:41 AM

Seized brake piston?

peppersam740 · 08-20-2018, 01:38 PM

No seized pistons. All my symptoms are indicative of a caliper not floating. Both sides are the same. Car is two years old with 9,000 miles.

Rusty · 08-20-2018, 02:21 PM

Sounds like you might have some rust and corrosion built up on the slides. Is it just one caliper doing it, or both?

peppersam740 · 08-20-2018, 04:01 PM

Yes both sides are the same wear. Is it normal for the inner pad to wear out ten times fast than the outer pads on this car.

Rusty · 08-20-2018, 09:14 PM

2016, with 9,000 miles. Is it a stick or auto? If it's an auto. Do you ride with your foot on the brake, or use a 2 feet driving style?

SouthArk370Z · 08-20-2018, 10:43 PM

I've seen a lot of cars where pad wear was uneven but I haven't seen many where the pads needed to be changed every 4-5k miles. First thing I would check is that the pads are installed properly with all required shims, keepers, etc.

Rusty · 08-20-2018, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

I've seen a lot of cars where pad wear was uneven but I haven't seen many where the pads needed to be changed every 4-5k miles. First thing I would check is that the pads are installed properly with all required shims, keepers, etc.

My dad had one of the first VW Rabbits that came out of the Pa. factory in the mid '70's. It would go through front pads every 7,000 miles, and rotors at 14,000 miles. Front tires would last 10,000 miles. My dad never changes the rear brakes or rear tires the whole time he owned it. The dealer and VW couldn't find anything wrong with it. VW picked up the tab for the brakes ad rotors under warranty.

SouthArk370Z · 08-21-2018, 12:35 AM

The fact that's it's happening on both sides is what has me puzzled. A sticking caliper or piston is usually on just one side. The more I think about it, the less likely it seems that it is a hydraulic problem (unless both calipers are plugged between the two sides and that's as unlikely as two frozen calipers/pistons). I'm inclined to believe that the root problem is poor braking habits, the uneven wear is normal and exaggerated by the accelerated rate of wear. YMMV

Rusty · 08-21-2018, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

The fact that's it's happening on both sides is what has me puzzled. A sticking caliper or piston is usually on just one side. The more I think about it, the less likely it seems that it is a hydraulic problem (unless both calipers are plugged between the two sides and that's as unlikely as two frozen calipers/pistons). I'm inclined to believe that the root problem is poor braking habits, the uneven wear is normal and exaggerated by the accelerated rate of wear. YMMV

See post 21. If not that. Something is holding pressure in the front calipers when the brakes are released. ABS module? Master cylinder? The old Chevy Chevettes had the same issue. Found that the master cylinder rod was too long from the factory

SouthArk370Z · 08-21-2018, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

... Something is holding pressure in the front calipers when the brakes are released. ABS module? Master cylinder? ...

If it were at the master cylinder (too much pressure to front), I'd think OP would notice the front-to-rear imbalance. Maybe not - depends on driving habits. Still doesn't explain the uneven wear - wouldn't both pads experience the same high pressure?

I don't understand enough about how an ABS module does its thing to say this with any confidence but it seems to me that it would affect only one side. Even it is affecting both sides, it's the same piping/hose going to inner and outer sides of a caliper and shouldn't cause uneven wear.

How about rotors that are offset a little so that it rides closer to one set of pads? I doubt OP is unlucky enough to get two bad rotors.

But I'm just thinking out loud. I'm inclined to go with poor braking habits but wouldn't bet any money on it at this point.

Edit: I'm not saying it can't be stuck calipers/pistons, just that it would be unlikely for both sides to have the same problem. Both are relatively easy to check, so checking would be on my todo list - just not at the top.

Rusty · 08-21-2018, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

If it were at the master cylinder (too much pressure to front), I'd think OP would notice the front-to-rear imbalance. Maybe not - depends on driving habits. Still doesn't explain the uneven wear - wouldn't both pads experience the same high pressure?

I don't understand enough about how an ABS module does its thing to say this with any confidence but it seems to me that it would affect only one side. Even it is affecting both sides, it's the same piping/hose going to inner and outer sides of a caliper and shouldn't cause uneven wear.

How about rotors that are offset a little so that it rides closer to one set of pads? I doubt OP is unlucky enough to get two bad rotors.

But I'm just thinking out loud. I'm inclined to go with poor braking habits but wouldn't bet any money on it at this point.

Edit: I'm not saying it can't be stuck calipers/pistons, just that it would be unlikely for both sides to have the same problem. Both are relatively easy to check, so checking would be on my todo list - just not at the top.

How can I say this and make sense. In the master cylinder. The porting is set up so that when you press on the pedal. The front brakes get pressure before the rear brakes. The front brake port opens first, then the rear port opens. If the piston doesn't come back all the way when you release the brakes. It will hold some pressure on the front brakes. This is what was happening on the old Chevettes. The brake rod from the pedal to the master cylinder should have a little play in it. Easy to check.

SouthArk370Z · 08-21-2018, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

How can I say this and make sense. In the master cylinder. The porting is set up so that when you press on the pedal. The front brakes get pressure before the rear brakes. The front brake port opens first, then the rear port opens. If the piston doesn't come back all the way when you release the brakes. It will hold some pressure on the front brakes. This is what was happening on the old Chevettes. The brake rod from the pedal to the master cylinder should have a little play in it. Easy to check.

Ah. I see what you mean. Sounds like something to check.

08-20-2018, 10:28 AM	#16 (permalink)
peppersam740 Base Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: tampa,fl Posts: 9 Drives: 370z 2016,manual,blk Rep Power: 10	2016 front pad wear Hi Guy's; I have a 2016 basic Z. 9,000 miles. For some reason the front inside pads are wearing out. I replaced the front pads 4,000 miles ago. Now 5,000 miles later I see the inside pads need replacing again. This will be the 3rd time at only 9,000 miles. The dealer is a hundred miles away plus I don't care for them. I have always done my own brake work. It is a 2nd car for me to keep my Mustang out of the rain. Car has never been driven hard. I'm 66 yr's old. Ha

08-20-2018, 11:41 AM	#17 (permalink)
cv129 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,223 Drives: 09 Nismo, 16 Nismo Rep Power: 163995	Seized brake piston? __________________ Setrab \| RE-71 \| SPL \| JRZ \| Nismo \| ARK \| Whiteline \| RacingBrake \| CJM Oil Pan \| Ti shield

08-20-2018, 01:38 PM	#18 (permalink)
peppersam740 Base Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: tampa,fl Posts: 9 Drives: 370z 2016,manual,blk Rep Power: 10	brakes No seized pistons. All my symptoms are indicative of a caliper not floating. Both sides are the same. Car is two years old with 9,000 miles.

08-20-2018, 02:21 PM	#19 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 35,191 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684437	Sounds like you might have some rust and corrosion built up on the slides. Is it just one caliper doing it, or both? __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

08-20-2018, 04:01 PM	#20 (permalink)
peppersam740 Base Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: tampa,fl Posts: 9 Drives: 370z 2016,manual,blk Rep Power: 10	Brakes Yes both sides are the same wear. Is it normal for the inner pad to wear out ten times fast than the outer pads on this car.

08-20-2018, 09:14 PM	#21 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 35,191 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684437	2016, with 9,000 miles. Is it a stick or auto? If it's an auto. Do you ride with your foot on the brake, or use a 2 feet driving style? __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

08-20-2018, 10:43 PM	#22 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	I've seen a lot of cars where pad wear was uneven but I haven't seen many where the pads needed to be changed every 4-5k miles. First thing I would check is that the pads are installed properly with all required shims, keepers, etc. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

08-21-2018, 12:35 AM	#24 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	The fact that's it's happening on both sides is what has me puzzled. A sticking caliper or piston is usually on just one side. The more I think about it, the less likely it seems that it is a hydraulic problem (unless both calipers are plugged between the two sides and that's as unlikely as two frozen calipers/pistons). I'm inclined to believe that the root problem is poor braking habits, the uneven wear is normal and exaggerated by the accelerated rate of wear. YMMV __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

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