Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes Werid rotor rust - what's going on??

Hey all -

I've got a weird rear rotor issue, & I'm hoping that someone can offer advice. I did a quick search and couldn't find an answer.

So I'm in the middle of doing my rear brakes tonight when I get stuck on my driver's side rear disc. Everything is good except that I can't get the caliper pin out. Few minutes later, the torx head on the caliper pin is stripped. I was eventually able to get the bottom pin out, and got everything apart after that. The caliper pin is still in there and will not come out.

Anyhow, I'm finally able to get the rear assembly apart. I immediately notice that the inside pad is worn funny. Next, I notice the rotor...

As shown in the picture below, a band of rust extends from the outside edge down a good half inch across the interior face of the rotor. So, my interior pad was effectively contacting only about half of the interior disc face. See the picture below.



Normally, the rust line extends only a bit from the outside edge. Below is an image of the interior face of the passenger's side disc. The rust line extends about an eighth inch from the outside rim, just as it should over time.



What's going on with my rear driver's side brakes? Is this something that I need to be concerned about? I plan on having the rear rotors turned tomorrow.

Anyone have any suggestions or encountered this before?

The car is a 98 SVT E0. Brakes were OEM Bendix pads and rotors.

Thanks!

you're right, something's wrong. what does the pad look like on that side? It's a pad or caliper problem, rather than a rotor problem. yes, it's very important to find out what's wrong and fix it. judging by the amount of rust, it's been a problem for some time.

Good pictures.

You have already identified the problem, you just don't realize it.

It is the frozen caliper slide pin. Because it is frozen, the caliper does not center itself on the rotor properly when braking, causing that wierd wear pattern.

Once again this show the importance of proper lubrication of the appropriate parts when doing a brake job.