Saturn SL1 Brake pads are wearing out quickly Inspection at your home or office.

Common reasons for this to happen:

• Driver Error: The single most common cause of abnormally fast brake wear is driver error. This is most usually seen with “two-footed” drivers who use their right foot to work the gas and their left to work the brake. These drivers tend to leave their left foot resting ever so slightly on the brake pedal. Understand that ANY pressure on the pedal engages the brakes. So, even a small amount of pressure on the corner of the pedal is enough to put the pads in contact with the rotor while the car is moving. This eats through pads very quickly. It’s also generally accompanied by “bluing” of the rotors, which is a sign of overheating.

• Corroded Slide Pins: The caliper must be able to slide smoothly and evenly at all times. If the slide pins are corroded (most common on old cars, or flood-damaged vehicles), the caliper may not slide out evenly, leaving it sitting slightly off center. This keeps part of the pad in contact with the rotor at all times and will result in premature pad replacement.

• Abnormal Rotor Wear: In a normal brake system, the surface of the rotor should be smooth, and both sides should be an equal thickness. However, if the rotors are worn, grooved, pitted, burnt or have seen significant wear (and are now in need of replacement), they can create rapid pad wear. It can also cause brake pads to crack, wear strangely (grooving) and other problems.

• Using Cheap Pads: You’ll find replacement pads available for a wide range of prices, and the natural inclination is often to go for the lower priced option. However, cheap pads generally don’t wear very long. In addition, some very cheap pads can contain chunks of metal that will eat into your rotors. Avoid low-quality pads, even if it means paying a little more.

• Torn Piston Seal: Pistons are operated by brake fluid, but if the seal is broken, fluid will leak out. Additionally, the piston will not be able to return to its starting position completely, maintaining some degree of contact between the pads and the rotor, accelerating wear significantly.