I have some odd brake wear on a late 2004 Cooper. The car has covered 45,000 and is still running on all the original brake pads and discs (rotors) except for rear pads that were replaced at about 25,000 miles.
At the time I found it slightly odd that the rear brake pads would wear before the fronts, but I decided not to press further or inspect them myself (it was in the dealer for something else) - something I regret. Plus the service manager I spoke with said the rear pads went first because the MINI is rear wheel drive!!!!!
However my brake pad warning light has now illuminated at 45,000 miles. Rough measurements have shown there is plenty of thickness left on the discs all round. The front pads need replacing soon but there's some life left (visually). There is loads of pad material on the rear left, but the rear right (where the sensor is located) is completed worn down.
First - what would cause the right pad to be completely worn away if the left is fine, and second - how can I be through a second pad on the back before the pads on the front are worn for the first time?
I'm no mechanic, but I'm guessing something isn't right (incorrectly fitted pads?, malfunctioning callipers, over aggressive EBD?). Would anyone know what the cause might be? While brake pads and discs are wear and tear items, if a faulty setup is causing premature failure then I would like it sorted under warranty and would seek part payment to cover the cost of new pads.
I have owned the car from new, so I know the full history.
Could be a anything really.... However, I would start with what russyellcoops suggested. It is possible that one caliper is seized or it is possible that you have air in the lines and the caliper is not activating.
The car doesn't pull to one side - but a couple of times when I have had to peform an emergency stop the back of the car is a little bit fish-taily, but only slightly not enough to unsettle the direction of the car.
Would a seized calliper constitute wear and tear or would it be a warranty fix?
Intresting finding as I have something similar on my car. The rear started making a noise so i throught the brakes were sticking, in turns out that the rear left hand brake pad had worn down on the inside. There was still plenty of pad left on the other side. The rear right hand side with the pad wear sensor on still has plenty of life left and they seem to have worn equally. so there must be something not 100% right anyway am taking it in to the dealers for them to check out,
My MINI ONE went for it's 25,000 mile service (actually came in at 20,000 miles) last October and I was told that my front pads were down to 20.3mm the minimum being 20mm, and the pads were down to 2mm.They offered to renew the pads and discs.I asked if it was unusual for the discs to wear as quick as the pads to which I was told "no". I thought i'd leave it until the light came on so I declined. Two days later the warning light came on the dash (considerably sooner than I had anticipated), I booked it in. When they phoned to confirm that it was okay to change the REAR pads I was suprised. "no , it's the fronts" I said, but they said it was the rears as that was what had set the warning light on. So the rear pads wear quicker than the fronts which I have never experienced in any other car. I emailed MINI and they said it wasn't unusual, something about my driving style and it wasn't unusual to have to change them at 20,000 miles, (something that I didn't dispute). What I thought was interesting was in the email it states that :
When the discs are measured, the discs only require replacement if the
>measured thickness is less than that stamped on the shell. If it is
>greater or equal to the minimum thickness, the discs are still able to
>have another set of pads installed. >
I was lead to believe that I needed to change the discs before they got to their 20mm limit but as it states in this section of the MINI email, you can still put pads on if it is equal to 20mm or above.
>As new technology is now being used on our vehicles, it is possible
>that customers will experience what they believe to be premature wear.
>Although the benefits of the features that we have introduced, such as
>DSC (Traction control including brakes to control vehicle under and
>over steer), Corner braking control, DSC+ and other performance safety
>mechanisms, contribute to the vehicles brake wear, we believe we are
>still producing vehicles with exceptional performance and value.
I don't have DSC
Incidentally do any of you who have had problems have an occasional thump noise from the rear of the car (mine on the drivers side) I do and although the dealer couldn't find anything I wondered whether a sticking caliper could be causing it and possibly prematurely wearing the pads.
I was interested that the dealers didn't pick up that the rear pads were shot at the service ( the reason I emailed MINI) but thats another story.
Just put a 3 year Mini through first MOT at only 15,000 Miles.
Both near-side (i.e. curb side) disks severely groved / worn, resulting in MOT Failure and +£300 Bill to replace discs all round. Off-side disks hardly worn! Calipers checked but don't appear faulty.
Brake pads show little wear so real mystery. Have repalced with expensive new discs and pads not of BMW Origin.
Experienced workshop engineer with many years trade experience remarked he had not seen anything similar before, other than where discs corroded due to proximity to coastal waters (I'm miles from the coast and the car has never been to the seaside).
I too am concenred that this might signify a hidden issue that could continue to cause problems.
If you (or any other member) learns more, would appreciate any new info on this tiopic.
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