Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes Pads not making full contact on rotor

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some advice with a brake issue I have. I just replaced my front rotors and brake pads in my 'tour. I had 206k on the original rotors, and a little better than 135k on the pads (ALOT of highway driving). I noticed that while trying to bed the new pads that the outer pads where not making full contact with the rotors. In other words if you look at the rotor through the rim, the cross hatch pattern is still visible (untouched) from the hub, heading out toward the caliper about half way. The other half is smoothe. Is there a spacer/washer that I should be using with the slide pins to stiffen up the caliper?? I think the caliper is twisting somewhat when i apply the brakes. However, the inside of the rotors are clean and smoothe. I have also thoroughly bled the system too. The caliper brackets are tight, and the caliper "spring" is good too. Any ideas folks??

i was going to say bleed the brakes but u said u did. no spacers/washers to my knowledge. and the new pads had a flat level surface? did u regrease the slide pins? is this happening on both fronts?

welcome to ceg. stop by the new england forum and say hi.

the brake pads do not come all the way to the hub on the rotor, there is some space, if you need a pic I can try to take one

The caliper slide pin bushings may be totally worn out.

I understand that the pads have some clearance from the hub, but ill have to include a pic shortly, that would better explain what I mean. Could the slide pins be possibly bent??

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http://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hpim05279jx.jpg

How are the brakes working? Do they seem to pull or do you notice any symptoms?

Some brake pads are intentionally made with a bit of taper so that there is not full contact until they have worn for a while. Ford did that on new Explorers in aproximately the 2000 model year. It sure looked strange, but it went away after a few hundred miles of driving.

Although I would be inclined to make sure that the calipers are not sticking and that the slide pins are lubricated and free as well as the pad backing plates lubricated everwhere they touch the caliper (especially the edges where they slide), you may not be experiencing a problem.

I also remember someone finding that they had taper wear from improperly installing the clips.

Luckily there is no abnormal signs of pulling. There is a little "sponginess" feel to them though. I have bled the brakes enough to almost go through 8-10 oz of DOT3 fluid.I haven't quite reached 300 miles on the break in yet so i guess I'll just keep on pluggin' a little longer and see if they will seat in. All of the hardware is in good condition. So I don't suspect that right now. I wasn't aware of the "tapering" effect that you mentioned Big Jim.Thanks for that info!!
JIM

Looked at the pics - there is something SERIOUSLY fubbarred with your brakes.

Are the pads seated into the caliper 100% flat and correct?

I'm thinking that the cliper slid pin bushings are really worn - if the above question's answer is yes.

The caliper retaining spring is installed incorrectly.
The front wheel bearing is going bad.
Caliper pins are gouged, grooved, dry, or hung up.