This past monday I had some new rotors and pads installed on my SRT6. Since then I've put about ~130 miles on them (mostly highway). While parked, I went to take a look at them and noticed something interesting... It seems that only part of the pad has been making contact with the rotors, as I could see from a light yellowish ring being formed on the rotors. The pads looked as if the innermost (portion closer to the hub) was touching the rotors which is where the yellow ring is.

I had noticed some infrequent squealling from the brakes (while not using the brakes) at low speeds for the first 10-15 miles after the brake job, but I havent heard it again since my short 100mile trip. I plan on taking some pictures tonight to hopefully give you guys a better idea of what I'm talking about (the lack of full contact), but I figured I should go ahead and post now...

I'm pretty car dumb when it comes to brakes, so maybe this normal for a few hundred miles? or maybe adjustments (?) need to be made? Also, if I throw it into neutral and hit the parking brake, I should be able to see if my front brakes are touching when they shouldnt be, right?

Thanks for the help...

Kolme

 

First thing I'd do would be to jack up the front one side at a time and spin the wheel - you can tell if they are touching.
BTW, it is NORMAL for brake pads to 'touch' the rotor even when not applied, but they should touch uniformly, not just one rotor section.

Kinda sounds to me that whoever replaced the pads didn't get them in properly, maybe you could remove a wheel and post some pictures.

 

Hey alax,

I'll try to get er' jacked up and the wheel off, (although all my tools, including some (?) of my xfire tools are at my other home). Either way ill get a picture taken!!!! Do you by change know the lugnut size (in case i need to buy a tool or 2 from autozone)

But yeah im worried they may not have seated them correctly , even though the brakes feel fairly good (takes a little more foot pressure to stop them vs before)

Kolme

 

17MM, but 11/16" will work in a pinch.
( 81 FT/LBS when re-installing, for what that's worth. I'm sure you don't have the trusty ole torque wrench handy ... )

 

You could mark the rotor with a sharpie.. make a couple light stops and confirm without a doubt on the wear..

 

Thats actually a fairly smart idea, I'll throw down a thin line before i make my short journey home.

I may go fork up some cash for a cheapie torque wrench btw Alax, I do like knowing im at the right ft/lbs ... It seems my car and I have the same personality.. were both high maintenance haha (the girlfriend would probably agree ...

Kolme

 

Well I tried MrMiata's suggestion (used a black marker on the rotor)... To my surprise, when applying it, the brakes actually looked more flush then the last time I checked... kinda weird since I havent put many miles on since I checked after my trip... Well after about 5-6 miles with the marker on the rotor, the pads DID remove the marker streak except for a very small portion on the rotor nearest the hub (where the pad doesnt reach)!!! So perhaps the brakes just needed a little bit of self-adjustment?

I have heard that these akebonos take a bit of time to proper adjust to the car (prob more in regards to bedding im assuming). But if all is well, then I thank you two for your help and time!!! (and im sorry for wasting some of it O.o). Ill run a few more streaks later to double check..

thanks again!

Kolme

 

Not a waist of time at all.. "we" could be guiding you through tearing your brakes apart righ now.. LOL.
I just look for the easiest way to confrim a problem and that popped into my mind.
Glad it's looking good for you, and not becoming a PITA. Odd things do happen at repair shops..

Members have discovered stripped hubs from tire installs.. non hubcentric spacers on aftermarket wheels.. the list goes on.