What are the effects of brake pad rust?
3 Answers
The effects of brake pad rust include: 1. If the rust is slight and does not corrode the brake disc, it has no impact on the performance of the braking system; 2. If the rust is severe, it may cause abnormal wear on the brake disc, leading to scratches and grooves, which can affect braking performance. Precautions for using brake pads: 1. Before driving, check if the handbrake is released; 2. Clean any foreign objects on the brake pads regularly. Automobile brake pads are generally composed of a steel plate, an adhesive heat insulation layer, and a friction block. The steel plate is coated to prevent rust, and the coating process is monitored with a furnace temperature tracker to ensure the temperature distribution during coating meets quality standards. Brake pads can be categorized into: disc brake pads, drum brake shoes, and truck brake linings.
Last time I washed my car, I noticed the brake discs were covered in rust spots, which gave me quite a scare. The mechanic explained that this is most likely to happen with short-distance driving, especially after parking outdoors in rainy weather. A few light presses on the brakes will wear off the rust powder, and it won't affect braking performance. However, the mechanic warned that if there's a sharp screeching noise or steering wheel vibration when braking after rusting, it indicates deep rust damage to the brake discs, requiring professional resurfacing. Prolonged neglect could increase braking distance by 2-3 meters, making downhill sections particularly dangerous. For the past six months, I've been avoiding parking in damp areas and taking more highway drives on weekends to prevent rust.
My old car has experienced brake pad rust several times. The surface rust can be worn off after driving a few kilometers, but the key issue is the parking environment. Once, after not driving for two weeks during a vacation, the rust layer built up so thick that when I drove again, it sounded like sandpaper grinding against metal, and even the brake pedal vibrated slightly. I later learned that iron brake discs can develop a rust layer within 48 hours when the humidity exceeds 60%. Now during the rainy season, I park in an underground garage to avoid exposure to rain. If the rust is severe, don't push it—replacing a worn-out brake disc can cost several thousand dollars.
