Premature brake pad wear can be a nuisance. The last thing anybody wants is to have to frequently replace their brake pads. Unfortunately, there are many different problems that can lead to this. Because of this, we’ve put together a list of potential problems to look for when replacing pads. This blog specifically addresses inboard wear, for outboard check out our other blog here.

Inboard pad wear

Premature wear of the inboard pad is caused when the it is not allowed to release off of the rotor properly after the brake is released. This can easily cause premature wear, and it is a good idea to learn what the potential causes are. Use the following list and images to help diagnose the pad condition.

Floating/Sliding

– Caliper housing seized on slide pins

– Inboard pad binding in bracket due to corrosion

– Inboard pad binding on slide rails due to corrosion or slide rail wear

– Caliper Piston not releasing properly

Fixed

– Inboard piston(s) not releasing properly

– Inboard pad binding on pins or in housing 

Pad Wear From Floating Caliper Causes

Pad wear shown by caliper housing seized on slide pins

Caliper housing on slide pins

Inboard pad binding in bracket due to corrosion thus causing pad wear

Inboard pad binding in bracket due to corrosion

Inboard pad binding on slide rails with corrosion and slide rail wear

Inboard pad binding on slide rails due to corrosion or slide rail wear

Caliper piston

Caliper piston not releasing properly

Sliding Caliper Causes

Caliper housing after having seized due to corrosion of the caliper hardware

Caliper housing seized due to corrosion of caliper hardware

Inboard pad binding in knuckle

Inboard pad binding in knuckle due to corrosion

Caliper piston with corrosion

Caliper piston not releasing properly

Fixed Caliper Causes

Inboard piston not releasing (mechanical)

Inboard piston not releasing (mechanical)

Inboard pad binding on pins in housing

Inboard pad binding on pins in housing

*Seized slides or a sticking inboard brake pad should be checked before thinking about a sticking caliper piston

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