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We have my wife's car in for a tire changeover (yes, I know it's late) and we also asked them to take a look at a high-pitched sound that seemed to be coming from the wheels. I suspected brakes.
Sure enough, they say we need new rear brake pads and to have the rotors resurfaced.
The car is brand new. We've had it for two years and it only has just under 12,000 miles. The dealer says that this is the cause of the brake wear. Such a low mileage total has caused corrosion to build up, which is what caused the wear.
Yes, rust on the pad swept surface of the rotor can contribute to increased pad wear.
So my question is, do your brakes get rusty while the car sits? Does the car get driven in salt/snow? When it sits, does it sit outside on a dirt driveway or in a garage? That's the sort of info that would be helptful to see if this is really the cause. Could also be mechcnical issues such as stuck pad caliper slide pins from sitting that contribute to uneven pad wear in the rear which accelerates how quickly the pads wear down.
Brake wear isn't simply dependent on the mileage of your car. It's how often/hard you actually use it - people that track cars may need to change pads after a meet. Extreme example, but just making a point.
That said - rust on rotors and pads are perfectly normal. It normally rubs off after using the brakes. How much rust will depend on the type of rotors/pads used. I would get a second opinion on the brake work. Never hurts. Also - check to see if your warranty includes brake pads. Some won't as it's a wear and tear item, but some will.
It really does depend on how you drive the car (and the car itself). If standing on the brakes all the time, then maybe, maybe, that soon. But, I personally have never seen pads go that fast before in non-racetrack usage.
Rust on the rotor surface that the pads sweep across is nothing major, it's flash-rust brought out by the humidity. Again, depending on the car, being rear pads/rotors, I doubt your rear rotors are vented, meaning they're probably solid metal through out. Bet your fronts are vented though, meaning you can see little vents along the outer edges of the rotor. So, even though you're in a snow state that is likely covered in salt, I doubt they're rusted up to the point of needing replacement, other than cosmetic. BUT, given the 12,000 miles and only 2 years old - I'd ask about the warranty here.
My guess - the salt has dried up the backing pad of the brake pad itself (depending on the car). Sometimes squeaking brakes are caused by little more than a bad backing clip on a brake pad.
I'd ask to be shown the existing pads and rotors first. And then I'd press for some warranty coverage relief if indeed found to be worn out already. I mean even in the most extreme daily traffic usages, 12,000 miles is very very short. Defective kind of short, If you ask me. Would make me look at the caliper piston itself or glide pins to make sure there isn't a problem there that is causing the pad to constantly be pressing on the rotor to the point of wearing the pad down without you really realizing it while driving. Caliper pistons do get hung up sometimes, and salt can do that if their little seals around the piston has a hole and salt/sand gets into them.
We have my wife's car in for a tire changeover (yes, I know it's late) and we also asked them to take a look at a high-pitched sound that seemed to be coming from the wheels. I suspected brakes.
Sure enough, they say we need new rear brake pads and to have the rotors resurfaced.
The car is brand new. We've had it for two years and it only has just under 12,000 miles. The dealer says that this is the cause of the brake wear. Such a low mileage total has caused corrosion to build up, which is what caused the wear.
Does this sound right to you?
Thanks.
Two things jump out at me:
1) A two year old car with 12,000 miles is NOT brand new.
2) You live in Vermont...….snow, and I assume salt.
Sure enough, they say we need new rear brake pads and to have the rotors resurfaced.
Who is "they" ?
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