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In general, do REAR brake pads wear our FASTER/SOONER than the FRONT pads? We have a 2023 Mini Copper Hardtop. December 11, 2024 (last year), the FRONT pads were at 10mm. REAR pads were at 3mm during our oil change. The REAR pads were replaced at 17K miles. We are now at 34,500 miles (12 months) since the replacement. The REAR brakes were worn out again. The REAR brake pad warning came ON last week, with a Warning of 700 miles remaining. We are down to 200 miles last night. We have appointment Dec. 23rd. The cost last year from the dealer was $540 (with $50 coupon) for brake pads, resurfacing of rotors, and 2 brake sensors. I hope the price did not go up. Back to my question above. Which brake pads normally wears out first with normal driving? FRONT or REAR?This message has been edited. Last edited by: ador, _______________________ P228 - West German | ||
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| Shit don't mean shit |
Front wear quicker. They front generally provide ~65% of the braking power. | |||
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| Member |
Typically, the fronts will wear out quicker. If you use the parking brake regularly, it may be possible the parking brake mechanism is not fully releasing causing premature pad failure. | |||
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That was what I thought as well. Any idea on why my REAR pads were wearing out much faster? I don't race the car and don't slam my brakes.
_______________________ P228 - West German | |||
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| Member |
Ebrake not properly adjusted or not fully disengaged? Not sure why the rotors need to be surfaced each time. Usually only need that if they're warped from excessive braking. I reject your reality and substitute my own. --Adam Savage, MythBusters | |||
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The One True IcePick |
I have found that cars with auto-braking and adaptive-cruise control use the rear brakes more then the front. My Subaru goes through rear pads much quicker then front. | |||
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Optimistic Cynic |
The whole idea of brakes wearing out after only 17K miles on a car as light as a Mini seems off to me. Doesn't the parking brake (in most cars anyway) act only on one of the rear brakes (usually the right rear)? And therefore a sticky release would only wear out one side? Probably not an issue, but I have also seen many cars where the rear brakes were smaller (less wiped area) than the fronts. If this is true for the '21 Mini, it may be a contributing factor. Also something to consider is different friction materials used in the pads. Pretty much gone are the days where fronts were disks and rears were drums, but obviously this might result in different wear patterns. Another thing to look at: is there a driver of the car that habitually rides the brakes? The pedal point at which the fronts and back engage may be enough different that this habit might cause unusual wear. It is probably not worth the argument with the wife to determine this. | |||
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For real? |
Not sure if your Mini is the same but I have a '19 BMW X2 M35i which is based on one of the mini coopers. countryman? i don't recall. But my rear pads made it to 55kish. The front pads barely make it to 18k. I've changed them 3 times now. The first time was under warranty, the next two times I did myself. Pads were $78 and sensor wire was $12. Took about 30 minutes a side. Takes me longer to jack up the car then it does to swap pads. Make sure your ebrake isn't broken or that your calipers aren't sticking. Not minority enough! | |||
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| Thank you Very little  |
Link Read up on several Mini threads, seems this is one of the culprits the auto braking /stability control module uses the rears. One suggestion is to use Carbon Metallic pads for longer wear, and to have the brake fluid system flushed seems that can help with the stability control if your vehicle comes on easily. Another was to take some harder sweeping turns and keep an eye on the stability indicator light see if it's coming on while you drive. Rotors shouldn't need turned unless there is something wrong or out of spec/warped. You can get really good brake pads and install yourself for about $100... Or find a shop that works on Mini's for less than $550... Rock Auto shows plenty of options on pads for $20 to $70 a set for the rear brakes with the Bosch Quiet Cast BC1800, coming in right at $20, | |||
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| SIGforum Official Eye Doc  |
Electronic stability, ABS, traction control, adaptive cruise control all play a factor in faster wear of the rear brake pads. Also, brake pads can be made of a different material that wears faster (as most braking is done by front brakes) and be thinner than the front pads. Some rear braking systems are used to help prevent nose dive. So-I've been told these things; I'm not a mechanic, but have experienced the same thing-increased rear brake wear-with a 2021 Palisade. | |||
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Member |
This was going to be my first guess as well. 2nd guess would be an improperly adjusted parking brake. The Enemy's gate is down. | |||
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Member |
Usually, but not always, the parking brake is a separate small drum brake in the "hat" of the rear rotor. However, in this advanced BMW, the parking brake is a servomotor that engages the rear brake caliper and mechanically drives the pads against the rotor. It is complex system, based on the diagrams I see on alldata pro. So, with all the gizmos on this fine automobile, there could be a need to diagnose and adjust the entire parking brake system. There are several steps listed in the alldata pro "how to" and it is definitely a skilled technician job. ------- Trying to simplify my life... | |||
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| Thank you Very little |
Does it show the parking brake engaging both sides or just one if just one side, which is common then the parking brake system could be eliminated since both side pads are wearing out. OP said brakes which interprets as both sides, some form of electronic stability control(s) makes sense, do you see any information on Stability controls and their function in the AllData pro. | |||
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| His diet consists of black coffee, and sarcasm.  |
Essentially correct. Also, rear brakes usually have smaller diameter/thinner/unvented rotors and smaller pads than the front to start with. | |||
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Truth Seeker |
As others have said, front brakes on almost any type of vehicle wear out faster than rear brakes and there could be so many factors to cause rear brakes to wear out sooner. This is why I do my own work. If someone used the wrong grease on your rear calipers that could cause them not to release all the way when you let off the brakes and contribute to their wear. I am not a mechanic and not familiar with your vehicle. I only know my truck and motorcycle. I was surprised to learn that my motorcycle still will apply some front brakes even when you only apply the rear brakes. NRA Benefactor Life Member | |||
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Member |
My mini was a 2009, I just sold it a few weeks ago. When I was still taking it to the dealer they would insist on turning rotors every time, it's just a dealer thing for certain "premium" brands I've noticed. I think I went through 2 sets of front OEM brake pads before going to aftermarket rotors and pads front and back recommended by the local Mini performance shop at ~40k miles, and I never changed them again and I left it with just over 125k on the clock. Regarding your rears wearing quicker, I'd guess the comments above are on to something, my car was a bit less technology "enhanced" and might not be an equal comparison. Cruise control and steering wheel controls were still optional for Mini in 2009! | |||
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Hop head  |
when I had Coopers (2010 and 2013 Hardtop S) I ended up replacing the fronts in about the same interval, but I was driving it like I stole it, now have a 2021 RAV4 XLE, and yes, the adaptive Cruise etc use the rear brakes to control speed, and if you are not used to it, it is an odd sensation https://chandlersfirearms.com/chesterfield-armament/ | |||
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| Member |
____________________ I Like Guns and stuff | |||
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| Save today, so you can buy tomorrow |
Thanks for the feedback folks. Lot of information I need to research on. The link HRK posted had some owners with similar issue with the brake pads wearing out too fast. I would hate to spend $500+ again next year (should I end up driving another 17K miles in the next 12 months). I wish I have the knowledge and skills to change them myself.  _______________________ P228 - West German | |||
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| I Am The Walrus |
Holy crap that's really low miles to get from a set. Find an independent mechanic instead of the dealer. Build a relationship with this independent. It will likely result in better service for your vehicle in the long run. Not a fan of dealers unless it's warranty work. I'm pretty easy on brakes. I have 155,000 miles on my current set of pads and rotors. I don't even remember the brand I put on, it was back in mid-2020. _____________ | |||
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