Miata Brake Pad Wear and braking issue

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6PAK72
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Miata Brake Pad Wear and braking issue

Post by 6PAK72 » Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:12 am

Input please:

Changed the pads on the 1.6 this weekend after 8 track days. They were EBC Greens, now Hawks.

Front pads are even wear, left and right side, both inside and outside pads. About 50% wear.

Rear pads are: 100% wear outside drivers, 90% wear inside drivers. 75% wear outside passenger, 85% wear inside passenger.

The uneven wear side to side concerns me most - should it?

The wear front to rear seems counter-intuitive - any explanation?

I bedded the Hawks yesterday, and the drivers front is consistently locking up completely about 20% sooner than the passenger front. Any ideas?

No balancer in the system, new Master last season, no visible leaks, braided lines.

Thanks!
Jeff Baker
Wilton, NH
#42 95 Miata
72 TR6
79 TR7 V6 in shed

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horizenjob
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Re: Miata Brake Pad Wear and braking issue

Post by horizenjob » Sun Feb 21, 2010 12:08 pm

Maybe the front pads wear much faster and were replaced.
the drivers front is consistently locking up completely about 20% sooner than the passenger front. Any ideas?
You could try this while driving from the passenger seat and see if that makes a difference? Maybe that's why my car only has one seat...

Have you tried to bleed them? It's a good idea to change the fluid, and you get a small idea what the inside looks like by what comes out. I don't know how the dual circuits things works on your car but perhaps the fronts are on different circuits and need a little bleeding?

Do you feel any pulsing or feel that the effort is uneven while the wheels rotate? Perhaps the drivers front is grabbing a bit... Brakes seem to take a lot of patience...
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breakaway500
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Re: Miata Brake Pad Wear and braking issue

Post by breakaway500 » Sun Feb 21, 2010 12:21 pm

You can check for any residual air in the system first,however, uneven wear does not alarm me,especially on a track car,if the car stops straight and there is no pulling to either side or twitchiness. When changing to another type of pad,I am a firm believer in resurfacing a rotor,or replacement. Some brake compounds are not happy with the residual left from a different brand or compound pad.(especially Carbotechs,and yes,I know you are using Hawks.. :wink: )
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6PAK72
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Re: Miata Brake Pad Wear and braking issue

Post by 6PAK72 » Sun Feb 21, 2010 8:24 pm

Good info on the resurface.

I did bleed - the fluid was excellent out of all 4 and the master is great.
Jeff Baker
Wilton, NH
#42 95 Miata
72 TR6
79 TR7 V6 in shed

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Stynger
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Re: Miata Brake Pad Wear and braking issue

Post by Stynger » Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:59 pm

Miata rotors are so inexpensive, we just replace them. Turning down the stock rotors just makes them thinner.
When changing pad compound, the rotors need to be addressed.

It's usually the passenger side that locks first when running solo.

Be sure the caliper pins in the rear are free of rust pits and are well lubed. Same goes for the fronts.

The rear E brake adjustment at the calipers should be adjusted before every track event. If you think about it, it can act as a brake bios side to side as well as front to rear if not adjusted evenly.
Les.

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6PAK72
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Re: Miata Brake Pad Wear and braking issue

Post by 6PAK72 » Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:19 pm

Thanks Les, I learned that one with the TR as well. Same rear adjusters.
Jeff Baker
Wilton, NH
#42 95 Miata
72 TR6
79 TR7 V6 in shed

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