What Are the Effects of Rusty Brake Pads?
2 Answers
There are two scenarios regarding rusty brake pads: 1. If the rust is minor 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 or grooves, which can affect braking performance. Automotive brake pads are generally composed of a steel plate, an adhesive heat-insulating layer, and a friction block. The steel plate is coated to prevent rust, and the coating process is monitored using a furnace temperature tracker to ensure temperature distribution and quality. When using brake pads, pay attention to the following: 1. Before driving, check whether the handbrake is released; 2. Clean foreign objects on the brake pads regularly.
I've experienced brake pad rust several times. Last week, after leaving the car in the garage for two days during heavy rain, I heard a squeaking sound when braking, and it felt like the brakes weren't responding well. But after driving for about ten minutes and braking repeatedly, the noise disappeared, and the braking force returned. Actually, rust is just surface iron oxidation, which often happens when parking in damp places, and it doesn't affect the fundamental performance of the brakes. However, if left unattended for a long time, the rust may deepen, damaging the brake disc surface and causing unevenness or more noise. Now, I try to park the car in drier places and drive a short distance after washing to wear off the rust on the brakes. Overall, it's a minor issue—nothing to worry about.
