Driving with one brake pad off and the other on on the other side of rotor.
Asked by Gogamersai May 06, 2017 at 09:30 PM about the 2010 Ford Focus SES
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Ok for some reason when driving i lost all the
materal off one side of my breaks. The side by the
tire is non repairable i cant even get it to go back
on the break system but the other side of the
system is like brandnew can i just leave it off till i
get a new pair monday?
9 Answers
Hornet_2497 answered 6 years ago
If you choose to drive it with the friction material missing from the inboard pad as you describe it, you will have steel, not friction material, rubbing on the rotor. Consequently, you will have only half of the braking power on that one wheel. While you apparently have it all apart, just compress the caliper piston and install a new set of pads for that wheel. Why wait till Monday? Then you should replace the brakes on the other wheel too because you are paying for a complete set anyway. Those pads may be defective or rusted to fall apart like that before they're worn out. That would be the smart thing to do. Be safe.
Do not be driving this until it gets repaired. It is not safe, and besides you can cause a lot of damage to other parts. You will need a new brake caliper, pads and rotor to fix this. The brake caliper had frozen up.
Good evening Hornet...
Hornet_2497 answered 6 years ago
Good evening Rowefast. We think alike and I agree replacing that caliper would be a good idea. I was thinking that brake pad material just fell off, but if it wore off lopsided, then we are looking at a frozen caliper too. When the brake pedal goes suddenly to the floor, it's time to park it huh?
No, do not be driving, read the post.
Gogamersai answered 6 years ago
Thanks for the advice. Reason for waiting till Monday is that money is an issue. Need to move it several feet to get it out of the way so we can get the other vehicle in and out of the drive. But thinking of just rolling the car and not even starting her up till I get the part. I was wondering about the frozen caliper but that's gonna suck money wise for me since just the breaks are gonna kill me. Thank God I know how to change it on my own save the mechanic fees. Again thx for the advice. Have a good night.
enginecreator answered 6 years ago
You could move it a few feet if you had too. Just no driving around it will cause a wreck.
TheMrOtheywarnedubou... answered 2 weeks ago
Remove cailper,insert something where the pads typically would be as to keep the cailper piston from pushing all the way out and allowing break fluid to leak out until empty. Secure the cailper in a safe area from turning wheel and any other possible threats ,use the e break and use Your transmission with down shifting to help slow the vehicle.. go home Or to a shop you prefer while smiling and messaging everyone that says NO you can’t drive If you’ve lost 1 break pad, and then be your woman with this new found confidence amd kick assness pick her up .. I’ll stop there . Long story short . For sure you CAN drive missing One pad .. it’s not made to parking lot pimp no but will definitely safely get you where you need to be to Remedy the issue.. good luck . Keith AKA TheMrO …