Glazed Brake Pads & Rotors?

[ivanfrank]

These original brakes have 46k miles over 3.5 years and we tow about 60% of the time including mountain driving. We’ve been losing brake pressure (spongy pedal feel) and before removing the wheel it seemed like the pads were low, and the rotors very lightly scored.

Yet the pads measure 10mm compared to new Z36’s that measure in at just under 12mm. Seems like an unusually small amount of wear for so much driving under load. Do these pads/rotors seem glazed over and could that be contributing to reduced wear + underwhelming braking?

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[Commodus]

These original brakes have 46k miles over 3.5 years and we tow about 60% of the time including mountain driving. We’ve been losing brake pressure (spongy pedal feel) and before removing the wheel it seemed like the pads were low, and the rotors very lightly scored.

Yet the pads measure 10mm compared to new Z36’s that measure in at just under 12mm. Seems like an unusually small amount of wear for so much driving under load. Do these pads/rotors seem glazed over and could that be contributing to reduced wear + underwhelming braking?

I believe if you take a power sander to the pads and rotor leaving a light swirl on the rotor surface and also flush your brake system, getting new fluid in the system Should take care of your brake pedal feel

 

[Hootbro]

Do these pads/rotors seem glazed over and could that be contributing to reduced wear + underwhelming braking?

Yes, Yes & Yes those are glazed rotors and pads.

I would not bother trying fix or correct them short of replacement with a better tuned set for your expected end use.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Do these pads/rotors seem glazed over and could that be contributing to reduced wear + underwhelming braking?

They shouldn't wear fast. If you tow and have your trailer brake controller set right, the truck won't be handling much, if any more, braking. The trailer will.
These are heavy duty brakes and even though glazed, don't equate "low wear" with a problem.

Replacement pads also won't always measure the same thickness as new factory pads - so I'd not bother trying to compare 3rd party pads with originals.

Glazed will lead to less friction between pads and rotors, so it will take more pedal pressure to achieve the same braking ability.

Yes, with that age, the brake system should be flushed and new fluid put in.
Resurface the rotors, replace the pads, flush the hydraulic system and all should be good again.

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