Skewed front brake-pad wear on GTR Pro

Subscribe
Aug 31, 2022 | 02:50 PM
  #1  
I track my GTR Pro and have the TiKT brake cooling ducts and the Pagid/TiKT brake pads. I flush the (MOTUL 660) brake fluid yearly and bleed after every few track days, depending upon conditions. I also gently tap the calipers with a rubber mallet when bleeding to help ensure that no small air bubbles remain.

What I'm seeing is that the front pads are wearing unevenly, from top to bottom. Currently, after 7 track days, I have:
Left Front: 9 MM bottom & 10 MM top
Right Front: 7 MM bottom & 9 MM top

I also have temp stickers on the top-back and bottom-back of the calipers, currently showing highest temps in degrees Celsius:
Left Front: upper between 166 and 187 and lower between 210 and 231
Right Front: upper between 188 and 209 and lower between 210 and 231

Question: is anyone else experiencing top-to-bottom skewed brake-pad wear on a GTR Pro or a GTR with carbon ceramic brake rotors?

Normally, this would indicate that the caliper-piston pressure is uneven between the top/middle/bottom pistons. Supposedly, equalizing the squeeze is why the 3 pistons are of different sizes.

Anyone care to share any wisdom/ideas related to this issue?
Reply 0
Aug 31, 2022 | 03:44 PM
  #2  
Yes, this does seem to be common. Same thing with my friend's GT3 RS.
Also the inner pads seem to wear more than the outer pads.
Reply 0
Aug 31, 2022 | 10:49 PM
  #3  
Common if by top to bottom you mean highest point of caliper to lowest portion closest to ground……something I have had discussions on with head technician that oversees AMG Academy fleet.
Reply 0
Sep 1, 2022 | 01:02 PM
  #4  
Thanks for responding ... makes me feel more comfortable.

Quote: Common if by top to bottom you mean highest point of caliper to lowest portion closest to ground……something I have had discussions on with head technician that oversees AMG Academy fleet.
Yes, that's what I meant. Does seem to be a bit of a design issue WRT caliper piston-pressure distribution.

Quote: Yes, this does seem to be common. Same thing with my friend's GT3 RS.
Also the inner pads seem to wear more than the outer pads.
I'd heard the inside-wear comment previously. One of the issues with the TiKT brake-cooling ducts is that you can't see/measure the inside pads (well, not without a fair amount of work).

Since you have a lot of track-day experience, would you care to guess at a "rule of thumb" difference in the wear ... i.e., 1 MM, 2 MM, ...? I'd not want to go too thin on these pads.

I also noticed that there's a slight run-out/wobble on my right-front rotor ... i.e., when on the hoist and turning the wheel by hand, there's a slight brake-pad binding at one position as the wheel rotates. This may also account for some of the extra wear on that side.
Reply 0
Sep 1, 2022 | 05:15 PM
  #5  
If you have the CCM rotors and want to be super cautious re: trying to minimize rotor oxidation from heat and hence having to replace them often, a good rule of thumb is to replace the pads when they have worn down to 1/3rd of the original thickness. You might be spending a little more in replacement pad costs in this fashion but I'm convinced that it will slow down degradation of those very expensive rotors. Always remember that the inner pads wear faster than the outer pads and they do taper.
Reply 2
Sep 1, 2022 | 05:45 PM
  #6  
Quote: Thanks for responding ... makes me feel more comfortable.


Yes, that's what I meant. Does seem to be a bit of a design issue WRT caliper piston-pressure distribution.


I'd heard the inside-wear comment previously. One of the issues with the TiKT brake-cooling ducts is that you can't see/measure the inside pads (well, not without a fair amount of work).

Since you have a lot of track-day experience, would you care to guess at a "rule of thumb" difference in the wear ... i.e., 1 MM, 2 MM, ...? I'd not want to go too thin on these pads.

I also noticed that there's a slight run-out/wobble on my right-front rotor ... i.e., when on the hoist and turning the wheel by hand, there's a slight brake-pad binding at one position as the wheel rotates. This may also account for some of the extra wear on that side.
I actually ran my inner pads down to the backing plates while still showing about 3mm on the outer pads.
I usually change mine out at ~4mm remaining.
Last year I was out at Area 27 which is about 1000km from home and I pushed the limit on the pads more than I usually would.
I did 2 more sessions after my low pad light came on. So I probably had 2-3 mm left on the inners when I got the warning.
I shut it down when the brakes started making an awful noise... backing plate rubbing on rotor.
Reply 1
Sep 2, 2022 | 12:15 PM
  #7  
Quote: If you have the CCM rotors and want to be super cautious re: trying to minimize rotor oxidation from heat and hence having to replace them often, a good rule of thumb is to replace the pads when they have worn down to 1/3rd of the original thickness. You might be spending a little more in replacement pad costs in this fashion but I'm convinced that it will slow down degradation of those very expensive rotors. Always remember that the inner pads wear faster than the outer pads and they do taper.
I agree ... even expensive pads are really cheap compared to the CCB rotors!

Quote: I actually ran my inner pads down to the backing plates while still showing about 3mm on the outer pads.
I usually change mine out at ~4mm remaining.
Last year I was out at Area 27 which is about 1000km from home and I pushed the limit on the pads more than I usually would.
I did 2 more sessions after my low pad light came on. So I probably had 2-3 mm left on the inners when I got the warning.
I shut it down when the brakes started making an awful noise... backing plate rubbing on rotor.
Ouch. Did that with my C63 S iron rotors, once ... apocalyptic braking noise but surprisingly good braking! Curious, was the backing plate hard enough to score the CCB rotor surface? Just did 1st day at Area 27 in the GTR ... fav track (I'm still way too slow, but phenomenal track).
Reply 0
Sep 4, 2022 | 05:20 PM
  #8  
Quote: I agree ... even expensive pads are really cheap compared to the CCB rotors!


Ouch. Did that with my C63 S iron rotors, once ... apocalyptic braking noise but surprisingly good braking! Curious, was the backing plate hard enough to score the CCB rotor surface? Just did 1st day at Area 27 in the GTR ... fav track (I'm still way too slow, but phenomenal track).
No visible damage to the rotors that I could see.
Area 27 is a great track. Too bad non-members are limited to 3 days.
Reply 0

MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

Explore
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Sep 5, 2022 | 01:27 PM
  #9  
Repeat Question: Can anyone guess at a "rule of thumb" for the difference in the wear between the outer pads and the inner pads ... i.e., should one assume the inner pads are 1 MM thinner, 2 MM thinner, ... (when they're about 2/3 worn)? I'd not want to go too thin on these pads (and can't see the inner pads due to the TiKT brake-cooling ducts ... hmmm, unless I use a borescope).

Quote: No visible damage to the rotors that I could see.
Area 27 is a great track. Too bad non-members are limited to 3 days.
That doesn't surprise me as the CCB rotor surfaces are amazingly hard.

Agreed regarding Area 27. I'd only been there once, about 3 years ago, with the C63 S sedan (on summer tires) so I was still pretty slow, this time around ... but soooo much fun! Too bad it's so hot there in mid-summer.

When I went to VIMC about a month ago (for the first time ... also a hoot, but a very challenging track) they indicated that it's no longer a member track so it looks like there'll be more public events there.
Reply 0
Sep 6, 2022 | 11:29 AM
  #10  
Quote: Repeat Question: Can anyone guess at a "rule of thumb" for the difference in the wear between the outer pads and the inner pads ... i.e., should one assume the inner pads are 1 MM thinner, 2 MM thinner, ... (when they're about 2/3 worn)? I'd not want to go too thin on these pads (and can't see the inner pads due to the TiKT brake-cooling ducts ... hmmm, unless I use a borescope).


That doesn't surprise me as the CCB rotor surfaces are amazingly hard.

Agreed regarding Area 27. I'd only been there once, about 3 years ago, with the C63 S sedan (on summer tires) so I was still pretty slow, this time around ... but soooo much fun! Too bad it's so hot there in mid-summer.

When I went to VIMC about a month ago (for the first time ... also a hoot, but a very challenging track) they indicated that it's no longer a member track so it looks like there'll be more public events there.
If the outer pad has worn 2/3rds of the way I would not take the car on track unless I had visually inspected the inner ones first. ‘A stitch in time’ and all that business.
Reply 1
Sep 6, 2022 | 02:24 PM
  #11  
Quote: If the outer pad has worn 2/3rds of the way I would not take the car on track unless I had visually inspected the inner ones first. ‘A stitch in time’ and all that business.
Thanks. My thinking was to replace when outsides were at 2/3. I do a thorough post-mortem after each track day with a left/right wheel/tire rotate along with caliper temperature and brake pad/rotor wear measurements/recording.

The TiKT/Pagid pads are somewhat expensive, but they really last, the end result being that they're the least expensive pads I've ever run (compared to the pads on my C63 S). It looks like they'll end up coming in at about $100 CAD per track day for the fronts and less for the rears. Given that our local track is truly brutal on brakes, this is "wonderful" at about 1/2 the cost for my next-best pads which were the EBC RP-X pads on the C63 S with my home-made brake-cooling ducts (C63 S pads are for sale, BTW).
Reply 0
Subscribe
Currently Active Users (1)
 
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE