StopTech uneven pad wear

Michael Czeiszperger · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:35 am **Posts:** 861

I just replaced the pads on the stop tech brakes on my E36 M3 and noticed the pads were twice as thick on the inside pad as the outside pad. Given the wear sensor is on the inside pad, the outside pad would be down to the bare metal before the sensor was triggered.

Is this a gross installation or calibration mistake, or is this common? At the very least its causing the car to go through pads faster than it would if both sides were wearing evenly.

Thanks!

JamesShort · **Posted:** Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:49 pm

Lube/replace the slider pins.

JohnByers · **Posted:** Wed Nov 23, 2011 9:10 am

JamesShort wrote:

Lube/replace the slider pins.

This. Buy a hardware kit and start with all new and inspect in 3-4k miles

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Nov 23, 2011 9:15 am

JamesShort wrote:

Lube/replace the slider pins.

Stoptech makes floating calipers? I thought they were know for their big fixed calipers like Wilwood, and Brembo?

JamesShort · **Posted:** Wed Nov 23, 2011 9:54 am

Stoptech pads. Stock m3 floating calipers

Bernie Baake · **Posted:** Wed Nov 23, 2011 9:57 am

That isn't what he said!!!!!

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:10 am

Bernie Baake wrote:

That isn't what he said!!!!!

Yeah, he said 'Stoptech Brakes' which would lead me to think he meant fixed calipers.

Michael Czeiszperger · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:35 am **Posts:** 861

I've never seen fixed caliper brakes, but these StopTech's appear to be the same design as the OEM brakes but with bigger pistons and pads.

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:06 pm

This is what a stop tech brake looks like.

You probably just have stop tech pads.

If you are getting that wacky of pad wear you should pull the caliper and rebluild it. The brass guide pin bushings might help also, but they require regular inspection and grease.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:07 pm

Michael Czeiszperger wrote:

I've never seen fixed caliper brakes,

You mean ever or just on an M3?

Michael Czeiszperger · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:35 am **Posts:** 861

Well, ever. Every car I've owned has had the same basic rotor/caliper brake design.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:18 pm

Michael Czeiszperger wrote:

Well, ever. Every car I've owned has had the same basic rotor/caliper brake design.

Me too, but I've seen fixed calipers. Even seen an STi? I believe those have fixed Brembos, right Marcus?

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:22 pm

Michael Czeiszperger wrote:

Well, ever. Every car I've owned has had the same basic rotor/caliper brake design.

Unless you know what you're looking for, you probably wouldn't notice the difference between the two. You should be aware that there are differences in how you maintain them though.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:26 pm

Also check the pad backing plates to make sure they aren't a little too big to slide properly. After learning this years ago my normal routine is to file any roughness off the pad backing plate edges where they weren't sheared smoothly and make sure to grease the edges and the calipers any place where they are supposed to slide.

FYI: Fixed calipers means there are pistons on both sides of the rotor. Normal for race cars. Not normal for street cars for cost and packaging reasons.

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:46 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

Michael Czeiszperger wrote:

Well, ever. Every car I've owned has had the same basic rotor/caliper brake design.

Me too, but I've seen fixed calipers. Even seen an STi? I believe those have fixed Brembos, right Marcus?

Yup,STi brembos are fixed piston brakes. Most cars and BMW use Ate sliding caliper brakes.

Take it to a reputable shop and have your calipers inspected and rebuilt.

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