What idiot installed these brake pads?

[FordSVTGuy]

Someone who didn't know what they were doing ! or too lazy to grind the ears down to slide in the guides

Or didn’t know to grind it down

 

[atikovi]

IF they were the correct pad, why would you need to grind anything down?

 

[philipp10]

Looks like a New England car under there. I'd replace all of it. The calipers, brackets and rotors at least.

I guess the left front was never removed during a safety inspection?

That really not that rusty. I see that all the time up here in Minnesota.

 

[The Critic]

IF they were the correct pad, why would you need to grind anything down?

Rust buildup on the bracket.

 

[atikovi]

Rust buildup on the bracket.

Then you would file or wire brush the caliper bracket or bead blast it like I like to do. Grinding the pad is good way to get brake noise and clunks.

 

[The Critic]

Then you would file or wire brush the caliper bracket or bead blast it like I like to do. Grinding the pad is good way to get brake noise and clunks.

Correct. But some people are not that smart.

 

[1uz_4me]

"Just a few more ugga duggas. There, that's not going anywhere."

 

[Jetronic]

That is interesting. So maybe it's rare but not unheard of?

I wonder if the piston can compress in too far? During a pad slap, that is. Once the caliper is on, the wheel gets tossed on, and that jostling maybe allows the pad to slip down and out, and then this occurs. Seems far fetched to me, but if two people have seen it... not sure how else to explain.

What I find interesting is that it appears to have been working (?). Both pads are wearing. But I can't see the other side--is the other side just as worn, or are they hardly worn, indicating a dragging brake?

I think it happened when the brakes were opened on a previous occasion. I'm not sure if I felt anything when driving the car onto the 2 poster, but once up I feel the wheel bearings for play, turn the wheels for for grumblin noises and dragging brakes, and check the pad wear. I can't recall what made me take a closer look, though dragging was the most common issue.

btw, with sliding calipers, the brakes work just fine on one pad, as long as pressure can be built. The remaining pad is pressed twice as hard onto the disc, wears twice as fast though. Brake test rollers don't reveil stuff like this. They will if there's a piston on both sides though.

 

[Jetronic]

Rust buildup on the bracket.

Burrs on the pad backing plate, or excess paint. Rust buildup on the bracket does occur but is usually minor, and remving it makes it come back with a vengeance in my experience. If the pads fit with remving the burrs and excess paint, it's my preferred option.

 

[mightymousetech]

And the pad springs are missing too.

 

[2EHA]

i’ve seen this happen on old audis with girling rear calipers. somebody pushes the caliper down fighting the spring clips and it looks snug from outside but the inside is actually crooked.


this is a pretty extreme example

 

[hemitom]

Then you would file or wire brush the caliper bracket or bead blast it like I like to do. Grinding the pad is good way to get brake noise and clunks.

Excuse my ignorance i should have said file

 

[Electromotive]

Scary looking.

 

[partspro]

i had one of my shadetree guys come the store, claiming he does lots of brake jobs, but these pads just wore out, he installed both wear indicator, pads in the one side, screwed the pooch badly, instead of wear indicator on inboard pad on each axle

 

[atikovi]

But wait, there's more. Putting the new pads in and notice that caliper isn't quite right. One outer ear has been eaten away.

Picked one out of my parts car stash to install instead,

 

[oggb]

But wait, there's more. Putting the new pads in and notice that caliper isn't quite right. One outer ear has been eaten away.

There's still plenty of usable steel friction material on that caliper!

 

[Kira]

Above: "One outer ear has been eaten away." Then Mike Tyson must've been involved?

 

[Pablo]

Spray some lube in there, should buff right out in a couple miles.

This and rotors down to fin pictures........these people could be behind any one of us!!

 

[jagdriver727]

Some many people have no business anywhere near a wrench.

 

[mk378]

Clearly not the original pads, those wore down to the caliper then caliper was not replaced.