Uneven pad wear in an Outback?

[backout3000]

I'm just wondering if this is common in the Outback.

I replaced the front pads in the Outback last night which surprised me because they had only done about 40,000kms, although the cook is hard on brakes. On both sides, but particularly the LHS, the active pad, (piston side) was worn down to almost nothing whilst the inactive side was nearly brand new.

The pistons on both sides pushed back easily by hand, the slide pins were free and well greased. The only thing I can put it down to is a build up of dirt in the tracks that the pads slide in?

Any clues?

[AlpineRaven]

possible the master cylinder is playing up... sure you're not riding on the brakes?
Cheers
AP

[El_Freddo]

My L series front pads do the same thing - but not nearly as extreme as yours do.

Each pad change I've done one of the pads in each caliper is a few mm thicker than the other. As both sides have been about the same I have not worried about it.

If one pad looks like new I would think that you would feel your brakes not performing as expected and possibly excessive bearing wear at the same time.

Cheers

Bennie

[vincentvega]

the piston side applies first hence wears quicker.

sounds like the slides on your calipers might be freezing up though if its really that bad

[backout3000]

Thanks for the help, bearings were something I hadn't considered although I'm thinking if bearings were the problem the pads would have a wear difference from top to bottom as well? One other thing I did notice is that the outside of the discs were quite glazed which may have an effect on this situation. I know the discs weren't machined last time, maybe this has had the effect of allowing something of a polishing effect to build up on the inactive side?

[Matatak]

40,000 out of front pads is fine.

bit above average id say but depends where you drive.