I installed the LS1 brake kit 2 yrs ago and just recently replaced pads/rotors. I noticed that only the outer 1" of the outside rotor face showed any wear. Is this normal. When you look at the caliper shape, it appears that the outboard brake pad would have a difficult time sitting completely flush with the rotor face. Maybe I didnt bed the pads correctly or something. Anyone else notice this?

Also, I was wondering if there was a special wrench to hold the caliper guide pin while trying to break loose the caliper bolt. The guide pin has a hex shape but I cant find a thin enough wrench to hold it due to clearance issues.

Finally, I did a 2-man bleed job at each caliper after putting it all back together. This wasnt enough so I used a vacuum bleeder solo the next day. Much better but still soft pedal. I could sometimes hear a soft whine from the front drivers side when braking from high speed. Then at near complete stop I heard a loud BANG from the sime side and then had firm pedal and great brakes. Now the whine is back and soft pedal. I think one of my caliper pistons was stuck (?), finally shot out and slammed into the brake pad causing the BANG, thus relieving the problem, and now is stuck again. Does this sound legit or am I way off?

Sorry for the lengthy post.

Otherwise, problem free and fantastic for two years.

 

Hmmm...intersting. I have a few questions for you. What exactly do you mean by "flush with the rotor face"? Is the edge of the pad not even with the outside edge of the rotor?

The guide pins use a 12mm on the outer bolt and a 5/8" on the guide pin, normally. If it's a hex guide pin, it may be a 17mm. Be careful not to round it off. You may need to remove the abutment bracket from the spindle bracket, slide the caliper out from the abutment and try it again.

ON the loud noise issue, are you sure it isn't a siezing guide pin? They cause this as well. I wouldn't think the piston would be stuck after only a couple years. Call me if you need to.

Ed

 

Havent had enough caffiene yet but let me try and describe the pad not being flush. While looking at the rotor/caliper/pad from a side view (i.e looking through the tire) the outboard pad is aligned perfectly with the edge of the rotor.

But if I take the tire off and stare down at the rotor/caliper/pad from the top (i.e. looking through the rotor fins) the inboard pad is perfectly flat against the rotor face. But for the outboard pad; the outer edge of the pad touches the outer lip of the rotor, but the inner edge of the pad is kicked out so the pad surface is not flush with the rotor face.

Inspecting my old pads, the outermost part of the outboard pad (about 1") was worn way more than the inner part of the pad.

The same showed of the old rotors.

Was/is there a shim or spring that goes between the outboard pad and the caliper to keep the pad surface uniformly contacting the rotor face?

Heading back to Austin from Dallas today in a bit. Would it be ok to call later today or tomorrow?

 

With the guide pin, it looks like a 17mm. The problem is I cant fit a standard 17mm wrench between the flat round base of the hexbolt and the caliper itself. The caliper bolts are locktite secure and a real pain to loosen without a sure grip on that caliper guide pin head.


This weekend I will see if I can snap some pics for better clarification.

 

Any progress on this? From your description of the pad wear it sounds like the calipers have spread a bit, LS1 calipers can do this over time.

LMK, call when you need to.

Ed