So I noticed a signifigant amount of pedal fade and loss of braking after coming back from a 800km trip. Most was highway driving so I didn't notice till I got off the highway. I got out of my truck and smelled burning brakes. I don't ride my brakes and I sure as heck don't leave my e-brake on. The requires quite a bit of gas to get it to move with it on so I couldn't leave it on accidentally even if I wanted to.

Anyways, I started hearing noises when I was braking in town the next day and decided to get the checked out.

I watched as they pulled the drums apart and the drivers side they had to hit until it would come off. When it did a massive cloud of brake dust came out and a few chunks of pad hit the floor. The remaining pad was cracked and obviously cooked. Same with the pass side, the pad was still in one piece but severly cracked.

I had the drums machined and the pads replaced 16,000km ago and they were down to 25% (what was left of them.) What the heck happened? I could understand if I left my e-brake on, but I didn't. The cylinder boots were melted so they replaced the cylinders as well. They gave me new pads free of charge but the cylinders and machining and labour still cost me $350.

Would the cylinders be malfunctioning keeping the drums engaged? Were they not calibrated properly when they were last changed? Or did the dealer maybe screw it up when they adjusted my e-brake tighter? I'm not impressed. My last vehicle was a Honda and I never had any problems like this. I drove it 110,000km This thing is only at 66,000km! I'm ticked!

Oh yeah, the front brakes were normal at 85%, replaced 20,000 km ago.

Any ideas?

 

sounds like they used poor quailty shoes and they did not adjust them to spec so they were engaged slightly all the time.

 

How can you prove that though? I mean they could say that my cylinders were to blame... and that way it wouldn't be their fault. But it was fishy to say the least that this happened after they did the brakes, because it was fine before they changed them.

I guess I'm out $350 this time. That sucks.

 

the only way to prove it would have been to inspect their work.

 

I wouldn't know what to look for. I watched them take it apart to see what the problem was, but other than that I wouldn't know if they did something wrong... I'll just bite the bullet this time. But if it happens again I will not be a happy camper. This puts a dent in me buying my new skis! Darn them!

Thanks for your help!