What brake pads are you guys using. I have a 69 Skylark with stock front disc brake setup. Last week I attempted to lock up the brakes, no go. They just eventually stopped. Today on the way home from work I hit the brakes hard and it sounds like the brakes are scrubbing. When I got home I checked and rotors look good, pads also at least the outside ones. When I bled the brakes a few years ago I didn’t use a combination valve tool. Don’t know if that have anything to do with it though.
Brand of pads should not cause sudden poor braking after a few years of use, especially if they were working fine before and there is meat left. I suspect something else is going on. Check the inside pads. Sometimes the caliper will stick and only one pad is actually pushing on the rotor. Did you clean and grease the pins when you did the last brake job?
When I drove to work there wasn’t any issues, it started when I was almost home. The brakes were put on a few years ago; I’m also thinking maybe sticking caliper and worn on the inside. I’ll take it apart this week to see what’s up. I know the pads will not make it scrap, I’m thinking I’ll need pads and wanted to know what everyone is using
X2, the caliper has to slide as the pads wear. Use the special caliper grease to grease the pins and O rings. If you see the pads wearing on an angle, or one is worn out while other has plenty of material on it, that is an instant tip off that the caliper isn't sliding. https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/permatex-ultra-disc-brake-caliper-lube-8-oz-24110/12027858-P
I usually go with Raybestos or Wagner - nothing fancy as I don't race or autocross. I like the semi-metallic. I'd rather wear out pads than the rotors.
I wish Toyota made pads and shoes for Buicks. My Prius has 200,000 miles on the originals from when I bought the car new. 30% left on the pads and 50 % on the shoes.
I don't think that is a good example. For one thing, the Prius has regenerative braking, and that will cut the wear on the pads significantly. How long you get out of brake pads/shoes will vary depending on lots of factors, not the least of which is driving habits. Some people are hard on brakes. Then there is the engineering aspects of the braking system, bigger multi piston calipers relative to the weight of the vehicle will affect overall wear. I go through rear brakes pretty fast on my 98 Riviera, the pads are kind of small. You can increase pad life with certain materials, but it beats up the rotors.
I worked for a big parts warehouse when the Prius and Leaf were new to the market. Our buyers were pushing the suppliers to get pads in for them, only to find that they were very slow movers due to the regen braking. Patrick
You should still remove the calipers and grease the slides. Then tend to freeze up from lack of use stopping with the motor generator.
Calipers freeze before the pads wear. They need servicing. I worked on them for a number of years back in time.
