What is the reason for uneven brake pad wear with one side thin and the other thick?
2 Answers
The reason for uneven brake pad wear with one side thin and the other thick: The outer brake pad contacts the brake disc, causing the inner brake pad to wear thinner than the outer one. The method for replacing brake pads is as follows: 1. Open the engine compartment to check the brake fluid level to prevent overflow during replacement; 2. Remove the wheel where the brake is located; 3. Remove the bolts of the brake caliper and take out the brake pads; 4. Install new brake pads and tighten the guide bolts. Methods to determine whether brake pads need replacement: 1. The vehicle dashboard has a brake pad wear limit warning light; 2. The thickness of the brake pads is between 1 to 1.5 cm. When the wear thickness is less than 3 mm, the brake pads should be replaced promptly; 3. If there is brake cylinder oil leakage contaminating the brake pads, and oil stains remain after sanding, replacement is needed; 4. A decrease in brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir; 5. Hearing a squeaking sound when braking.
I've been driving for over a decade, and this uneven brake pad wear with one side thin and the other thick is very common—it's usually a caliper issue. The pistons inside the caliper can sometimes get stuck due to rust or dirt, preventing proper retraction, which keeps one pad constantly pressed against the rotor, accelerating wear. Lack of lubrication on the guide pins can cause the same problem. A friend of mine had severely rusted and deformed guide pins from neglected maintenance, leading to uneven pad wear, and eventually had to replace the entire caliper set. Driving habits matter too—frequent hard braking can overload one side. More dangerously, this causes the car to pull to one side during braking, making steering difficult and posing serious safety risks. I recommend an annual brake system inspection and lubricating caliper components when replacing pads to prevent uneven wear. Oh, and for cars with automatic climate control, regular maintenance can improve overall vehicle condition. Bottom line: address these small issues early to avoid bigger trouble later.