Sudden accelerated wear of brake pads- UPDATE: Found TSB for this problem

[Lurknomore]

So I bring my '07 Camry in for a 20,000 mi. service maintenance. This is the dealer's service station, so the guy always tried to sell a more expensive, comprehensive package, which I expect but decline. Anyways, the tech calls me in and says everythings fine, but that my rear discs have eroded, from over 5mm to now just over 2mm, and that they need to be serviced.

I'm kinda flabbergasted- I brought the car back in july for a state inspection. At 16,500 miles, all brakes were judged to be over 5mm in depth- hence, "green" or safe. Now, at around 18,600 miles, they are now just above 2mm, a sudden loss of almost 60% in depth, and are now "red"- needs replacement ASAP or so they so.

I'm not a maniac behind the wheel, have driven the same distance, in the same manner, under the same conditions since July, prolly less since I tend to stay home on the weekends.

I understand a gradual wear on all discs, but is this plausible? Is the tech pulling my chain, or is possible that a mechanic misjudged the depth. Maybe the state inspection was wrong or perhaps the brakes in the rear have been calibrated "tighter", to grab harder and wear faster. Still, I can't believe a loss of almost 3mm, under the same driving conditions, in just over 2k miles.

Should I get another opinion at another garage? Anyone have any expertise on this?

UPDATE: I found a Tech Service bulletin at Tundra solutions forum- where can I host a pdf file?

This apparently is a known problem- a few other Camry owners have reported premature rear wear and that this should be serviceable under warranty.
Next step- should I call toyota headquarters to ask about this TSB? I never got warning about this issue in any mailing. Should I just go to the dealer service and show them the printed TSB. If anyone should know, it should be them.

 

[crosshairs]

I assume you didn't get a chance to see them for yourself.
Its possible, he misjudged the depth left,although I would hope not. I always eyeball brake pads when I'm servicing a car, and if they look to be close to the limit, I put a gauge on them..it takes less than 30 seconds to do when the wheels are already off.
Although 18K sounds pretty early for pads, anything is possible.

its also possible that there is a mechanical problem, but that's also not too common at that low of a mileage.
How do the front pads look? Its possible that the fronts are not sharing the work so to say.
as for the rears, if they are wearing even on both sides of the car, and both inboard and outboard pad are worn about the same, mechanically your probably OK.

I would get another shop to look at them and see what they say.

 

[Lurknomore]

The tech said that both rears were worn to around 2mm, so even wear.
But I still think that the garage mechanic may have misjudged the depth. I'm not trying to second guess their skills- they do it all the time- but it's def. possible.
Will probably get a second opinion over the weekend.
BTW, the tech said around $330 for both pads- good price or inflated?

 

[Greenman]

It's very odd that the rear brakes would wear out before the front, and a bit startling that they need replacement at 18000. I'd get a second opinion.

 

[f1r3s1d3]

$330 for pads is ridiculous, you can grab a set of Hawk HPS pads for $80 or so and do it yourself. Pads are cheap, basic DuraLast pads which are decent from Autozone will run you $30 for both rear brakes, lmao.

 

[bruceb]

Way too high. If it is disc brakes, the pads for the rear should be about $50 or so for the parts.
Max of 1 hr labor to change them at about $90 / hr depending on the shop ... So with tax figure
on about $180 or so at most .. and you can change them yourself if you have even moderate
mechanical skills and the tools, including jack stands.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Do you rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving? Because other than a mechanical fault that's the only way I can see this happening.

ZV

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Do you rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving? Because other than a mechanical fault that's the only way I can see this happening.

ZV

That or ebrake slightly pulled or too tight.

I have seen cars stop in a parking lot with rear smoking brakes and the drivers clueless.

All it takes is a click or two

 

[Lurknomore]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Do you rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving? Because other than a mechanical fault that's the only way I can see this happening.

ZV

Nah, I try to "coast" as much as possible on long stretches. Even in stop and go, I'm not a big foot rester. And I'm still wondering why only the rear, and not the front- perhaps I should have been more clear. Maybe the rear brakes are not "releasing" fully, or they're slightly stuck.
The parking brake is fully released- i've checked and double checked.

 

[alkemyst]

probably too late to test but I'd jack it up in the rear and roll the wheels...if the ebrake is not releasing you can tell. Just because the handle/pedal is not pulled doesn't mean the cable isn't tight.

Also if you have drums make sure the adjusters aren't backwards.

 

[StageLeft]

Yes of course it's possible but you should realize that if you overwear the rear pads all that's likely to happen is you start getting a throbbing/shaking (not severe at first) when braking and/or a loud break squeel whistling noise. What I'm trying to say is it's not th end of the world to run them down to the bottom, unless the pads are actually the only problem here and when you do run them down you can screw the rotors, whereas replacing them now you save the rotors.

Still, if that really has gone through rear pads in this short a period of time chances are the calipers are messed and the rotors would break soon after anyway.

I would recommend getting the car home, take a picture of the pads from the side if you can, and post a pic.

Otherwise, personally, I'd not do anything.

If you cannot replace pads you should know that, per above, you can buy replacements for under $50 and it truly is less than an hour labor, even if you're dicking around and drinking a beer at the same time. Not sure where the 330 came from.

Oh, if this does have rear drums, it is a little more work and you wouldn't be able to tell the remaining pad by looking at it from the side necessarily.

 

[Juddog]

What about driving around with the parking brake on (slightly) by accident?

 

[bruceb]

That would wear them out much faster .. but most cars have a BRAKE Lamp on the dash and some even have a Buzzer to tell the driver they forgot something, like seat belt or brake release, door ajar ... etc (my car only has the brake lamp .. no warning buzzer)

 

[alpineranger]

Usually the parking brake is serviced by a drum brake, either the main rear brakes, or a drum brake mechanism within the rotor hat. Thus, it is unlikely that a parking brake issue is causing this brake wear. Sticking brakes would, however. Also, braking lightly results in the proportioning valves applying the rear brakes more than they would otherwise, relative to the front (but not enough to cause such extreme brake wear).

 

[SithSolo1]

My rear pads went out before my fronts on my G35c at about 18k miles so it does happen. I was told the fronts were still ok but I replaced them too anyway. Tires were @ 16k

 

[Demo24]

Originally posted by: Lurknomore
The tech said that both rears were worn to around 2mm, so even wear.
But I still think that the garage mechanic may have misjudged the depth. I'm not trying to second guess their skills- they do it all the time- but it's def. possible.
Will probably get a second opinion over the weekend.
BTW, the tech said around $330 for both pads- good price or inflated?

Thats WAY too high for that. Likely they are trying to sell you rotors and pads all in one, even though its highly unlikely you need new rotors.

I would ask the shop to show you the pads and let you see them measure them.

 

[Lurknomore]

I found a TSB for this problem- where can i host a pdf file? Sorry, I'm still a newb at hosting.

 

[StageLeft]

Nice with the TSB. Hosting a file I'm not sure without your own server, though.

 

[thomsbrain]

If you already got the car back, call them back and say you found a TSB that describes the brake issue your car experienced and that they need to perform the described service on the car under warranty (if the TSB says it is covered, obviously). I assume it involves replacing the prematurely worn pads and adjusting brake balance or something similar to prevent it from happening again in the future. They may ask for the TSB number when you call, but chances are you won't even need to show it to them (they can pull it up on their computer). They should just schedule you an appointment and take care of it. If they don't, I would call Toyota's North American number and explain the situation. If they stand behind their product, they'll arrange for the appointment on your behalf and the dealer won't be able to balk.

I've had a few TSB issues crop up with my Accord, and the dealer always took care of them right away when I mentioned that there was a TSB on the issue. Never had to show my printout or anything. I hope it is as easy for you. Let us know how it goes.