Brake pad question

MBULLION

MEMBER
2002 FORD EXPLORER
117,000 MILES

Hi there, I have an 02 explorer V8 4wd.I was looking at my front left brake pad (if your standing in front of the car) and noticed it was basically down to metal on metal. However, the other side has a lot more material left on it from what I can visibly see as are the rears. Any guidance as to why this may be? Could that one just have been replaced for some reason or do you suspect brake lines are going bad on that side? It's just weird that it's the one and not any others. Brake fluid level is full. It brakes just fine. But something is up. Help!

7 Replies

FIXITMR

MECHANIC
9,990 POSTS

Sounds like caliper is not self adjusting on that wheel.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Saturday, May 26th, 2012 AT 5:16 PM

CADIEMAN

MECHANIC
3,544 POSTS

This is caused by a sticking caliper piston seal. It will need to be rebuilt or replace the caliper.U want may advice put pads on it no need to worry.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Saturday, May 26th, 2012 AT 5:43 PM

MBULLION

MEMBER
46 POSTS

So, in other words, if I leave it, replace the pads, that one will obviously continue to get worn down faster? No way to like bang on it or use some sort of tool to see if it would release lol. Just trying to explore my options and avoid future potential problems. Thanks!

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Saturday, May 26th, 2012 AT 6:08 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

I HELP YOU OUT!

WHAT THE HECK LETS GO ALL OUT!

THESE ARE YOUR BRAKES--THEY ARE SORTA IMPORTANT, UNLIKE A BENT BUMPER YOU CAN BANG ON A TREE TO GET IT STRAIGHTER. AND IT REALLY DON'T MATTER

DO BOTH SIDES.I USED MY ZIP FOR PRICING.I GUESSED AT YOUR ENGINE

HERE'S YOUR CALIPERS---YOU'LL NEED CHECK, THERE IS A "LEFT" AND A "RIGHT", WHEN YOU CLICK EACH ONE YOU WILL SEE LOOKING AT THE PART NUMBERS. SAME PRICE. LIFETIME WARRANTY.I WENT WITH THE CHEAPER ONES

GRAB SOME NEW HOSES

L AND R ALSO!

HOW 'BOUT SOME PADS?

1 SET

WE'RE GONNA ASSUME THE ROTORS ARE GOOD OR CAN BE TURNED AND REUSED

SAVE A BUNDLE PAYING ONLINE AND PICKING UP AT THE STORE

DO WHATEVER YOU GOTTA DO TO GET WHAT YOU NEED OR CAN AFFORD---I WAS JUST TRYING TO HELP YOU SAVE SOME $$$, WITH MY EXAMPLE!

THIS ALSO WORKS AT OTHER AUTO PARTS STORES---AND MANY OTHER THINGS YOU BUY TOO

THE MEDIC

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Sunday, May 27th, 2012 AT 4:39 AM

MBULLION

MEMBER
46 POSTS

My rotors and pads are good all around minus the one wheel. I have had my mechanic look at it. So at worst I need to replace a caliper and maybe pads just to keep it all even.I'm not dumping 2 to 300 bucks into the car unless all rotors and pads are bad