FordmanUGA

Ok, I just changed the front brake pads about 10 months ago when I heard metal on metal grinding with no prior noises whatsoever. When I changed them the right inner pad was worn down to the metal, never even made any noise until it got down to the metal (otherwise I would've changed them before that point, anyway). And yes, the rotors were turned Etc. So today I went to a meeting with my RSO at the college and I heard metal on metal from the front side again with absolutely no warning before hand. So, I took the front right wheel off and sure enough, the front right inner pad is worn down to the metal while the outer pad still has almost 75% material on it. What the heck is causing this? It's kind of irritating.

4x4dave

Your caliper is probably bad and sticking.

FordmanUGA

That was my first guess, but I had that happen on my Durango I had and when it did that it was noticeable and there was that distinct burning brake smell. I never smell any burning smell and I never have acceleration problems. I'll probably replace them anyway this fall (gotta wait on college money). Right now I'm having to replace the upper control arms.

RLXXI

The most overlooked place in a floating caliper system is the mount and slide pins, they get gummed up and won't allow the caliper to extend/retract as designed.

If the caliper piston was sticking both inboard and outboard pads would wear., the problem here is when the caliper releases, it sticks where it's at when it should retract but can't because of the afore mentioned gumming.

Carcrazygts2

More than likely caliper slide pins. Calipers sticking will cause both pads to wear faster on one side. Same with a sticking brake hose. I just corrected a similar issue. The drivers front was wearing almost twice as fast then the passenger.

MCpllabelle

If one pad is wearing faster than the other it's 100% related to your caliper bolts being seized and preventing your caliper from floating. Take your caliper bolts off and clean the corrosion off and grease them with caliper grease before re-installing them. That should fix your problem.

Id also suggest replacing those pads.

maccavvy

ive just had to change my calipers as the piston seals were bad and the pistons rusty and sticky .

dontherogue

FordmanUGA, I just replaced the front brake pads on my 1999 XL - there are two slider pins on each side and of the 4, one of them was seized. I fought with it for a good half hour before it came out of the caliper and it was toast from my efforts to get it out with a hammer and screwdriver and then a vice grip. I got replacement slider pins and the rubber boots that go with them from NAPA for about $30.00 - $15.00 for two pins and $15.00 for 4 boots (I know, makes no sense but it beats buying new calipers I guess). The calipers were both fine. I have been told that some garages, upon finding bad slider pins, will just tell the customer that new calipers are needed (more profit?) and so it pays to check both the pins and the calipers if you are able. Good luck.

FordmanUGA

Yeah, I cleaned the pins and have had no.issies since then.

02_Black_On_White

Water gets around the piston cups and seizes them to the walls.... AKA one pad wearing to fast... sheesh don't over think it peeps... either rebuild or remain problem solved, I'd recommend rebuilding them but that's just me...