I'm back again! This job lasted a DECADE! Same problem with the grinding happened Saturday afternoon. I had put on Toyota OEM pads after I completed this job; maybe 2 years after. The pads on the driver's side looked great, but were worn all the way to bare metal on the passenger side. The rotor on the passenger side also needed to be replaced (can probably be resurfaced, but I had a coupon and got a new rotor for $20.. quicker to swap in new than wait til Monday when shops that can smooth them would open). That was significantly less expensive than the $86/each rotors I had purchased 10 years ago! Timing is everything and with this happening late Saturday there was no way to get a resurfacing in time before stores closed and all mechanics are closed around here Sunday. Anyhow I was barely able to get a new rotor and pads before closing at Advance Auto Parts because the store where I live was out of stock and I had to rush into the next city with 5 minutes to spare before they closed.

Yesterday morning I started on the passenger side and found the top pin to the rotor was ceased so bad there was no moving it. My neighbor and I had to heat it up with a torch and beat the hell out of it to get it to move. Finally after an enormous amount of effort we freed it, cleaned it, lubed it, put in the new rotor, new pads and finally it is working properly. Same problem on the driver's side with also a seized-up top pin in the caliper though we had an easier time getting it to move with the torch. Now I know why the passenger side was always wearing more. I didn't have the knowledge a decade ago to really understand what was all going on and overlooked those pins. I'm pretty sure that one was stuck the too! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Anyhow I remembered this thread and thought I would revive it. Anyone know if Toyota OEM pads are lifetime warranty? I remember purchasing them over the Internet by calling some Toyota dealer in Florida over the phone. If there's warranty I'd like to get a fresh set of the Toyota OEM. I settled for a Wearever brand for now as that's all Advanced had in stock! I wonder if I still have the receipt for the Toyota OEM pads.

For sure no... only parts store brands offer lifetime pads...

Good to hear you found the issue tho!

Before you get wrapped up in replacing parts, you have an apparent issue to deal with which is uneven pad/rotor wear.

Pads and rotors should wear fairly ever during their live. One side wearing out faster gives rise to why the excessive wear?