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2011 Driver's Side Brake Pads Worn

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by NancyS, Nov 3, 2014.

  1. NancyS

    NancyS New Member

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    2011 Prius
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    My 2011 Prius, which I park on a city street has only 5,777 miles on it.
    My driving is 90% city driving, lots of stop-and-go generally at speeds 40MPH or under.
    At annual checkup at my dealership, they found the driver 's side brake pads worn thin 3mm and 6mm respectively front and back, and rotors? are grooved. All tires are in good condition.
    Brakes/rotors on right side of car so no such wear and tear. Basically, I have to pay $$$ replace the brake pads on the left side of the car. The mechanics did show/compare the wear and tear on right side of the car, compared to the left. It is significant.
    The mechanic at my dealership could not explain why this is happening. They were guessing this:
    ~Left side of car is exposed to the street, and thus the wheel wells are exposed to winter salt and dirt. Hard to believe since the car has not experienced much snowy winter weather here in Washington, DC.
    ~Consistently driving at low speeds, and making lots of right turns??! might be a cause.....
    Any additional thoughts, guesses, same experience, reasons why this is happening, I'd love to hear.
     
    #1 NancyS, Nov 3, 2014
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sounds like a defect to me. perhaps caliper was frozen on the rotor? or it may have been assembled incorrectly. definitely a new one around here i think. did you notice any issues? how did they come across it? i would have an independent mechanic look at it. did you buy it new? that's really low mileage for an '11.
     
    #2 bisco, Nov 3, 2014
  3. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    #3 Former Member 68813, Nov 3, 2014
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think the mechanic may have it right. Are you parking on a busy street, with salt/sand being spread frequently. You are very low mileage, that's likely compounding the problem.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Nov 3, 2014
  5. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    Wow. I do that many miles in 3 months... But my car sleeps in the garage.
     
    #5 Jonny Zero, Nov 3, 2014
  6. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Probably salt build up that is causing the caliper to hang up. If it's just the slides you may not get any warranty assistance. If the caliper itself is bad, then maybe.
     
    #6 The Critic, Nov 4, 2014
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    It's actually an interesting testament to what salt/sand can do: passenger side fine, driver's side seized.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Nov 4, 2014
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i've spent some time in dc, not sure there is enough salt and sand being thrown around there, they only have one plough.:cool:
     
    #8 bisco, Nov 4, 2014
  9. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

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    Crazy! I don't believe it! Change mechanics! Move disks to the other side with new mechanic and tip them or do work yourself?


    iPhone ?
     
    #9 Paul Schenck, Nov 7, 2014
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