1992 Chevy Lumina Abnornal rotor and pad wear

MONKS

MEMBER
1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
13,800 MILES

Six months ago I had new rotors, calipers and pads put on the front of this Lumina. The brakes were bled at the time. After 11,000 miles, I noticed that there is considerably more wear on the left side pad and rotor than on the right side. At least double. I would estimate that the pad on the left side is at least half worn out, and the rotor looks to have lost between 1/16 and 3/32 of an inch of material. I brought the car back and told the shop that either the caliper was faulty or hadn't been lubricated properly. I was told that the left front system wasn't working correctly because it's connected to the right rear that needs to be replaced. I find this a bizarre explanation. Can you help me with some facts about how this brake system works?

Thanks, Steve

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,700 POSTS

What they told you makes no sense to me. The front brakes work independantly from the rear. If you have one front brake wearing that much faster than the other, either the caliper is hanging up (sticking) or the rubber brake hose to that caliper is going bad and not allowing fluid to return to the master cylender. As a resutl, the brake hangs up and wears faster than it should.

I suggest having it looked at by another shop. AS far as the right rear brake needing replaced so the right front last longer, that's a joke. I will say this. If the rear brakes are bad, then the front will need to do more of the work. Thus, they will wear faster, but it should still be close to even wear.

Let me know if you have other questions.