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Poor sweep on rear discs. Any ideas?

Jeverson28

Member
Somerset
I'm hoping to get some advice on my rear brakes. I recently noticed that only the centre of the discs are being worn down by the pads. Is this something I should be concerned about? Is it possible that the previous owner bought pads that weren't quite large enough to cover the whole disc? I imagine this is affecting the stopping power but the car certainly stops well so it's not a huge deal I guess.
 

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It certainly doesn’t look right to me, can you get a better look at the pad in the calliper?
Also it’s the front discs that do the majority of the braking
 
You will need to , at minimum replace the pads and the discs anyway, but by stripping down, exercise the slider pins and pistons to check these arent an issue.
 
IMG_1387.jpg Well this is of my rear discs so Yes you have an issue! Now brakes are a reasonably agricultural piece of kit they usually work or don't work. To get what you have, in my opinion, either the wrong pads are fitted or the caliper fixing are loose allowing the caliper to tilt. I can't think of another scenario, unless the pads are so worn the pistons come out so far they can tilt? I can't stress enough in any of these cases. Get them checked soonest!
 
Jeverson28 said:
I'm hoping to get some advice on my rear brakes. I recently noticed that only the centre of the discs are being worn down by the pads. Is this something I should be concerned about? Is it possible that the previous owner bought pads that weren't quite large enough to cover the whole disc? I imagine this is affecting the stopping power but the car certainly stops well so it's not a huge deal I guess.

Back brakes do about 10%, so I wouldn't worry about the reduction in stopping power.

I don't think it's the calliper/pistons as they push the rear pad face, so the only thing can be the wrong pads as that edged line is quite defined. Occasionally people champfer the outer edge of a pad, to stop squeaking, but if that's the case here then it's one hell of a champfer!! :-)

Just change the pads, EBC ultimax will drop straight in, they're OEM cost but better construction and a better compound.
 
I agree with thrustyjust, I think it would be a waste of time and money to swap the pads only, that would not remove the pitting and next time it comes to MOT would most likely fail.
Its an easy job to swap the discs and pads all at same time and in my mind would be more cost effective in the long term.
 
Thanks for the help guys :) Judging by what I've read here I think I'll replace the discs and pads. Any recommendations? It's my daily driver and I have no real plans to track it so I guess OEM cost would be good. Those EBC ultimax sound good.

I'm getting a squeal after I use the handbrake that goes away after about 10mph. It feels like the handbrake is still slightly engaged. Will replacing the pads/discs fix this?
 
Personal opinion is brake pads, but having realised from trying EBC greens , ultimax ( came free with a Westfield kit build) and yellows , that there is better pads out there from a variety of long term manufacturers after nearly dying at least twice on them not working right in my Elise. I believe that Pagid is now under the Eurocarparts banner. Horses for courses , but I fitted standard Mintex pads on mine and not crazy money ( think I paid about £50 for front and rears) and as the majority of us hope to be racing drivers , they work fine for a road car. Have a look at the options and you might find a deal on pads and discs as a set for the rear , like from Mtec.
 
Mtec stuff here:
https://www.mtecbrakes.com/brake-discs/bmw/z4-roadster-e85-03-09/z4-3-0i-06-03-06-06.html
 
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