Rant: defective brake pads

RayP(MI) · Nov 1, 2008

Last week, wife and daughter-in-law took a bunch of rabbits to the American Rabbit Association national convention in Louisville. From here in Michigan, and a trip like that, you can bet I had that car checked over pretty thoroughly.... Had the tire dealer balance and rotate the tires. While he had it up, I checked the brakes all the way around. Plenty of pad!

On the way down, I get this call "Is it just because I've been driving in the rain, that my brakes are grinding?" "NO DEAR, IT'S NOT"

Well, they limped home, Thursday nite. Friday I pulled the wheels, one of the rear pads was completely missing, and the metal plate was all that was left, rubbing on the rotor. Best I can figure, the pad had to have come un-bonded from the backing plate.

My car (same make and model) was also grinding. Pulled the wheels and same thing was wrong - pad completely missing. Now this set of brakes were replaced less than two months ago. Paint on brake pad backs was still new. I did both brake jobs myself, and I know they were done right. Still had the box off'n the brakes setting on the workbench, as I had saved the old pads - might need one in an emergency, when parts store closed! GUESS WHERE THESE NATIONAL NAME-BRAND BRAKE PADS WERE MADE. What's even worse, I had a nasty time fitting the NEW pads from another national store in the mounting brackets.. Had to modify them by grinding off edges, to make them fit. Guess where these brake pads were made.

This is not only getting old real fast, but it's a SAFETY hazard. I'm NOT happy!

rrlund · Nov 1, 2008

That was on my mind today too Ray. The granddaughter made the state finals in cross country again. The wife took the Sport Trac to work in Carson,so the boy drove his Saturn over there so we could get the truck from her to go the rest of the way. I've got a few more gray hairs from the way he came up to stop signs.I'd have asked him if he ever blew out a rusty brake line if I could have gotten my heart out of my throat to speak.

RayP(MI) · Nov 1, 2008

Hey Randy,, good to hear from you!

rrlund · Nov 1, 2008

Haily didn't do all that great in the finals. She was almost a minute off her qualifying time. She ran a 19.49 to qualify,but only a 20.36 in the finals. Oh well,she got there anyway. She was the only one on her team to make it to state this year. She's only a sophmore,so she has 2 more years to try for it.

Traditional Farmer · Nov 1, 2008

Thats why original equipment costs a little more
they fit and stay together.Get what you pay for when I had the clutch in my truck replaced after 130,000 the parts from the dealer were about $150 more than the auto parts store,Mechanic said it was up to me be sometimes the aftermarket worked OK sometimes not I spent the extra $150.Brake pads are cheap why not get them from the dealer?

Anonymous-0 · Nov 1, 2008

What is the vehicle description?

Anonymous-0 · Nov 1, 2008

had a pad from a car in front of me come threw the windshield of my motorcycle and hit me in the right arm thought i was shot sure glad the windshield slowed it down and we dress to ride it happened on July 12th and arm still hurts happened in Bowling Green Ky. Dr. said some lady was killed the week before from the same thing. this pad fell in the wife's lap after it hit me

RayP(MI) · Nov 1, 2008

Randy, that's not bad times! Be proud of her!

RayP(MI) · Nov 1, 2008

Chevy Blazer 4WD. Hers is '01, mine '00.
(S-10 Blazer, but they don't call them that anymore.) Son has an '02, so with three in the yard, we're pretty familiar with them, keep a small stock of emergency parts on hand.

RayP(MI) · Nov 1, 2008

These were the better grade of pads - don't buy cheap on brake parts!

Anonymous-0 · Nov 1, 2008

It's not the pads fault. You either have a caliper problem or your brake hose is coming apart inside, usually at the crimped on ends. When pressure is applied, the brake pads will contact the rotor, when the pedal pressure is released, the hose won't allow the brake fluid to return to the master cylinder, leaving pressure on your pads. I had the same problem with my daughters 99 Olds Cutlass.

Ken Tallman · Nov 1, 2008

I Had a 1976 Dodge Charger that I replaced the brake pads on and it did the same thing. Three sets of pads in three days. They tried to tell me I was doing something wrong installing. Finally they gave a different brand and I never had any other problems. I think this was before China junk. Any way it does happen.
Ken

rednekelmo · Nov 1, 2008

the last couple of times I've but new pads on i had to get out the file and dress the backing plate on the new pads so they would slide correctly. the last set came from our neighbor to the south not the land of almost good enough. I don't know how much better that is but these were the top of the line brakepads that Advanced Auto carried

Leland · Nov 2, 2008

I have bought NAPAS top of the line shoes and they did not fit either so it's a crap shoot regardless where you buy them

Anonymous-0 · Nov 2, 2008

This is a common problem with China brake pads.

Mike M · Nov 2, 2008

I work at a GM dealer and most of their stuff is marked, made in China also !

guido · Nov 2, 2008

Hello Ray P(MI)
I agree with the other post. make sure the calipers are not sticking and the hoses are allowing fluid to return. I would also bleed the system if you have not done it yet.Sounds like you did the job wright, that kind of wear is NOT NORMAL AT ALL? I would keep a close watch on the pad's wear,once a week at least. It may happen again!
Guido.

ken in texas · Nov 2, 2008

Bought brake pads from auto parts store,they worked ok but were noisey.Went to dealer and got their padsand they have been very quiet.So you have to do what works for you......................

George G · Nov 2, 2008

I think you need someone elce to do your brakes for you.
If you are modifying pads to get them to work, you must be doing something wrong.
When I was driving over the road. I followed a guy one night about 75 miles, Most of the time his brake lights where on. I guess the brake pedal makes a good foot rest.

Glen D Anderson · Nov 2, 2008

Ray,

It sure sounds like faulty brake pads BUT I cant say I've ever had to grind(modify)ANY pads or shoes I've ever installed before..........

Perhaps you already know this but the caliper should move freely in its respective guide(pin or slide)prior to assy...........the caliper and guide should be lubricated with proper assembly lube/grease during installation...........also the piston/s should be manually retracted(with clamping tool) in their bore completely prior to installation to rule out issues with the caliper, hoses, modulator valves or master cylinder...............

rrlund · Nov 2, 2008

Oh,believe me,I am.

Roy in georgia · Nov 2, 2008

I never liked the bonded pads and try to always get the riveted ones but they have been known to fail also I just feel that heat will weaken the bonding material and cause failure

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Nov 2, 2008

Being both ASE and GM certified in brakes, if you're having to modify pads to get them to fit, you have the wrong ones. You can get the original GM assembly line pads, but they are expensive. The AC Delco Durastop pads are good. If you go aftermarket, I would only use Wagner or Raybestos.

INCase · Nov 3, 2008

It is a crap shoot on aftermarket brakes. MOST are made in China. ONLY original OEM parts will fit absolutely correctly. The aftermarket guys have no information or cooperation from the automakers to know what the size should be or tolerances (not that the China manf. care about tolerances) However, there are only 3 or 5 companies that make parts for the auto industry. Each set of pads (linings) are set up for each vehicle program. This is for fit/function, stopping performance (fed regulation), durability (just out of warranty) and noise (the biggest complaint). There is ALOT of work that goes into OEM brakes. These parts are engineered to the car and tested extensively (WAY beyond anything you'd see on the road except maybe police cars). So they will work every time. BUT they are expensive and few dealers stock them. If you go that way make sure they're the OEM parts not aftermarket packaged with Motorcraft/AC Delco ect. Ford OEM parts will have the oval or FoMoCo stamped on them. Like others have said I'd buy only Wagner or Raybestos better lines. Wagner's parent company makes some OEM parts. Sorry this is so long. I really didn't hit on all the topics either. Good luck

dave guest · Nov 3, 2008

Had to grind a few since last year. Chinese from auto zone, week after putting em on, mag wheels all covered in brake dust. How long will they last? Now we also got valve stems to worry about. Just put a dozen of them on the road.

Owen Aaland · Nov 4, 2008

Bonded pads need to be broken in properly. They need to be brought to a temperature that will cure the bond without overheating it. Ten moderate stops from about 30 MPH is usually what is called recommended. Overheating the pads without proper curing can lead to noisy brakes and failure of the bond between the pad material and the backing plate.

Rant: defective brake pads

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