GermanCarBuff

I just had a local VW/Audi shop install some Axxis Metal Master brake pads.

Last night, I was washing the car when I took a closer look at the brake pads. I noticed that one side of the pad has about 1/8" of pad material and the other end had about 1/2" of material.

Is this taper normal?

TTschwing

Never heard of that. Maybe they only put 1/2 a set on....

(Or you've got a serious wear problem)

JHam_CT

1/8" = dead pad

GermanCarBuff

I found that hard to believe too and that is why I decided to post here.

Not only did the pads look odd, but the brake force simply did not seem like a track pad. I had hawk hp plus pads and ebc green stuff pads on other vehicle that had much more "bite" than these pads do.

GermanCarBuff

My thoughts too. However, the shop says they are supposed to be like that and came that way.

GermanCarBuff

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/25784/picture007.jpg"></center><p>
Keep in mind, I had these put on last Thursday and have driven maybe 500 miles.

As you can see in teh pic, it appears the pad only is grabbing a small part of the rotor.

I had my wife start the car and press the brake pedal, the pad would only grab about 1/4" to 3/8" of the rotor.

However, I just went out and did a test drive. When I stop with authority, the ABS does kick in and the car does shave speed very well, considering the pic. It's hard to say whether or not it is better than the stock pads, though.

Also, when I got back, I could tell the entire rotor surface was hot. I take that to mean the pad must be grabbing the entire surface when applied at speed. Sitting at a stand still must not allow the pad to grab and come into full contact with the rotor.

TTschwing

On the install. Pads should grab easily and equally side to side. These are 1 piston calipers that rely on pins to slide and center themselves. Somebody did something very wrong....I'd get it back to them immediately (and demand a new set of pads). Those are ruined.

GermanCarBuff

Thanks for the input schwing. I plan to go by tomorrow morning. I'll post what happens.

MCPaudiTT - DEFCON 1

My PBR ceramics had huge bevels on the leading and trailing faces of the pad. See this photo:

<img src="http://images9.fotki.com/v167/photos/4/435091/2062212/39Hugebevel-vi.jpg">

If you look at these at the angle of your shot, you won't see pad touching the rotor, but the inner 80% of the pad would be touching.

GermanCarBuff

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/25784/axxispads-ds.jpg"></center><p>In the picture, I try to show there is an uneven gap going vertically across the rotor, not longitudal as I could imagine with the pads you show.