What 6 year old brake pads look like

n97 mini

EVs are gentle on brakes, maybe too gentle for their own good. Confirmed with the dealer that serviced the car that none of the brake pads have never been changed so I decided they're up for renewal.

It didn't look like this when it was in place, but the removal process resulted in a lot of the pad simply crumbling away. It's essentially corrosion as the outside is affected while the inside is still solid.

Right rear. Fronts tomorrow.

KCross

What car is that off of n97_mini?
What mileage is on it?

listermint

Without being funny, Id be changing the brake pads every 2 years anyway. Why would anyone hold off changing brake pads?

n97 mini

KCross wrote: »

What car is that off of n97_mini?
What mileage is on it?

Ampera. ~34000 km. I suspect that its low mileage (service book shows it did about 3500 miles a year) was a contributor.

listermint wrote: »

Without being funny, Id be changing the brake pads every 2 years anyway. Why would anyone hold off changing brake pads?

Ironically the service book shows the brake fluid has been changed!

listermint

n97 mini wrote: »

Ampera. ~34000 km. I suspect that its low mileage (service book shows it did about 3500 miles a year) was a contributor.



Ironically the service book shows the brake fluid has been changed!

Aye, i can imagine Tick the box exercise in the dealers no doubt.

liamog

I thought brake fluid degraded over time, and brake pads degraded with use?

zilog_jones

The uneven wear around the edges would just problems somewhere else, maybe? Looks strange to me, although I've probably never seen pads that old either.

It's a fairly common issue with the Prius that the caliper slide pins can seize due to lack of use, which can cause uneven wear and other issues. I suspect other hybrids and EVs aren't immune to this issue either. Based on my experience, I'd suggest disassembling the calipers every 2 years, cleaning/inspecting and lubricating the slide pins.

Gravelly

zilog_jones wrote: »

It's a fairly common issue with the Prius that the caliper slide pins can seize due to lack of use, which can cause uneven wear and other issues. I suspect other hybrids and EVs aren't immune to this issue either. Based on my experience, I'd suggest disassembling the calipers every 2 years, cleaning/inspecting and lubricating the slide pins.

Funny enough I heard recently from a Toyota mechanic that he gets Prius' into the garage with complaints of rapid battery discharge by people thinking their batteries are fecked, and more often than not it's because a brake caliper is sticking - said he's see a few with the discs glowing when they pull in!

zilog_jones

I don't know how they were driving like that without noticing the noise!

I have the Plug-in, and after sorting out the rear brakes (they were the worst), I gained about a mile EV range.

Gravelly

zilog_jones wrote: »

I don't know how they were driving like that without noticing the noise!

I have the Plug-in, and after sorting out the rear brakes (they were the worst), I gained about a mile EV range.

You'd be surprised - I've seen cars in the garage with the calipers welded to the disc and the drivers often only notice when the brake warning light comes on after the fluid either boils or escaped past a burned out seal.

creedp

Gravelly wrote: »

You'd be surprised - I've seen cars in the garage with the calipers welded to the disc and the drivers often only notice when the brake warning light comes on after the fluid either boils or escaped past a burned out seal.

Had that recently with a diesel s-max. Didn't notice a thing until I stopped to refuel. I could get a strong burning smell and when I went around to passenger side could see smoke coming from rear wheel which was scorching hot. I was lucky as had just completed 30km of a 350km journey. Would not have been pretty if I had hit the M50/M7 with that issue especially as it happened the weekend between Christmas and New Year and I had 6 in the car and serious luggage.

Had to replace the caliper on that wheel for the 2nd time in 3 years which seems rather excessive.

n97 mini

zilog_jones wrote: »

The uneven wear around the edges would just problems somewhere else, maybe? Looks strange to me, although I've probably never seen pads that old either.

It's a fairly common issue with the Prius that the caliper slide pins can seize due to lack of use, which can cause uneven wear and other issues. I suspect other hybrids and EVs aren't immune to this issue either. Based on my experience, I'd suggest disassembling the calipers every 2 years, cleaning/inspecting and lubricating the slide pins.

There wasn't uneven wear... the missing bits are what crumbled off when I was taking the pads out... they have to be taken out at an angle, so one end is more crumbled than the other.

I've had my fair share of slider pins needing greasing and calipers with stuck pistons. I checked both on the Ampera, and they're fine. I'll grease the pins for good measure though.

I also learned today that "Next Day Delivery" on Micksgarage actually means Next Day after dispatch. My order from 1.30pm yesterday was only dispatched at 11am this morning, to be delivered tomorrow. :rolleyes:

unkel

n97 mini wrote: »

I also learned today that "Next Day Delivery" on Micksgarage

I wouldn't buy anything from them anymore, unless you are certain you don't need any comeback. Non-existent customer service. They don't want to know and only listen when legal action has started.

magentis

unkel wrote: »

I wouldn't buy anything from them anymore, unless you are certain you don't need any comeback. Non-existent customer service. They don't want to know and only listen when legal action has started.

Terrible to deal with.Never again for me either.

n97 mini

unkel wrote: »

I wouldn't buy anything from them anymore, unless you are certain you don't need any comeback. Non-existent customer service. They don't want to know and only listen when legal action has started.

magentis wrote: »

Terrible to deal with.Never again for me either.

Jeez, two unhappy customers! I've always collected at Parkwest and brought the old part with me to compare before I walk out the door. Haven't bought a lot off them, but it worked out ok so far.

Only reason I bought off them this time was for the delivery! I've the car half in bits in the driveway and the other one isn't at home office hours.

unkel

When a product goes faulty within the warranty period, the supplier can replace it, repair it or refund you (their choice). In my case they did not want to know (car battery) despite a visit in person, several telephone calls and at least a dozen emails, with ever more (always reasonable) deadlines and even several threatening to start legal action.

I actually had no other options than to either let it go (not a chance I would do that, they mustn't know me) or to start legal action and when I showed them proof that I had done so, I had the refund in my account within an hour or so

mickdw

I once had a micksgarage parcel go AWOL and I was depending on it turning up that day.
Got onto them anyway and the chap couldn't grasp that once the post had been delivered, it wasn't coming that day. He had confirmed it was coming by post.
He kept saying that they only guarantee before close of business and that he was sure it would arrive still. Idiot.

n97 mini

mickdw wrote: »

I once had a micksgarage parcel go AWOL and I was depending on it turning up that day.
Got onto them anyway and the chap couldn't grasp that once the post had been delivered, it wasn't coming that day. He had confirmed it was coming by post.
He kept saying that they only guarantee before close of business and that he was sure it would arrive still. Idiot.

In fairness An Post do separate deliveries for us for letters and parcels. Even this morning. Letters delivered on foot, followed shortly afterwards by a guy in a van with a parcel.

n97 mini

unkel wrote: »

When a product goes faulty within the warranty period, the supplier can replace it, repair it or refund you (their choice). In my case they did not want to know (car battery) despite a visit in person, several telephone calls and at least a dozen emails, with ever more (always reasonable) deadlines and even several threatening to start legal action.

I actually had no other options than to either let it go (not a chance I would do that, they mustn't know me) or to start legal action and when I showed them proof that I had done so, I had the refund in my account within an hour or so

Jeez, that bad alright.

zilog_jones

I just had the usual trouble with them delivering parts that weren't compatible.