What Causes Uneven Wear on Left and Right Brake Pads?
2 Answers
Here are the main reasons for uneven wear on left and right brake pads: 1. Normal wear—vehicles experience varying degrees of force on different road surfaces and in different turns, leading to inconsistent braking force. As long as the thickness difference between the four brake pads does not exceed 3mm, it is considered normal wear. 2. Brake pad quality issues—abnormal wear often occurs with replaced brake pads. 3. Uneven or warped brake disc surfaces, which can cause abnormal brake pad wear. 4. Slow retraction of the brake caliper—for example, rust on the retraction bolt of the left brake caliper may cause slow retraction. 5. Damaged seal sleeve of the brake caliper bracket, preventing the telescopic rod from moving freely and causing the outer pad to remain in contact with the brake disc after braking. 6. Air in the brake lines, leading to inconsistent braking times between the two sides.
Uneven wear between left and right brake pads is quite common, and there can be multiple causes. One is uneven force distribution between the wheels, such as a shifted vehicle center of gravity—if heavy items are loaded on one side, that side's brakes will wear more during braking. Another issue could be with the brake caliper; if the guide pins are stuck or rusted, the piston on one side won't move smoothly, causing faster wear on that brake pad. Additionally, warped or scratched brake discs can lead to uneven contact with the brake pads. Problems with the suspension system can also affect wheel alignment, causing the vehicle to pull to one side when braking. Driving habits play a role too—frequent hard braking or braking in corners can cause the inner-side brake pads to wear faster. Ignoring this issue may result in uneven braking force, vehicle pulling, and safety risks. It's recommended to inspect the braking system during regular maintenance, including lubricating guide pins and cleaning brake discs, and replace worn components if necessary.