So a few weeks ago I did the Upper and Lower Ball joints on my 4R, which involved removing the brake calipers. On the driver side we actually took the calipers/pads apart to get them off, so they had to be put back together. Fast forward 2 weeks, and my brakes are squeaking only on the driver side. Take the wheel off to check the pads and this is what I find. The pads are cracking/breaking apart in large pieces on the edges. Also the pad on the outer side (closer to the wheel) is significantly smaller and more worn than the pad on the inside (closer to the engine). See my images below.

InkedIMG_20200913_120556_LI

InkedIMG_20200913_120609_LI

Stuck pin? Do I also need new calipers? They are stock and have 225k on them so it wouldn't be surprising. It looks to me like they are touching the rotor in the second picture.

Thanks all!

Have you noticed a decrease in MPG or a need to give it a little more foot to get going?

Looks like stuck calipers. I've never seen pads break apart like that other than in racing. Extreme heat would do that. I supposed a stuck caliper could cause it.

I would agree the calipers are stuck. Can you spin the rotor by hand? If you take a short drive is the heat rolling off that pad areas through the rim. They can stick at any time.

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If the pistons aren’t leaking or stuck, then just clean the calipers up and use new pads and hardware. Use appropriate lube such as silicone grease for the pins, pad ears and the back of the pads.

Definitely have not noticed any decrease in brake effectiveness, however I have had some issues with acceleration lately, but they feel more like drivetrain (I think the Torque Converter is bad). Definitely no leaks in brake fluid or abnormal sponginess in the pedal, so I think the pressure in the system is still good.

Thank you all for your input. I have to have a shop do the pads because I just don't have time, but Ill let them know to clean them off well and apply grease to the pins. New pads will be coming from Amazon, I went with higher end GreenStuff pads this go around. Hopefully wont produce as much dust. These pads were AutoZone Golds.

Thanks again!

Also in on a stuck caliper. Can you spin the tire? Should be able to get at least a revolution or more with a hard spin. I've had several dragging calipers, a couple recently rebuilt, start dragging. Classic sign is more wear on the inner pad.

Yeah Ill see what the shop says, but in my case the pad with significantly more wear is the outer pad. Unfortunately, I cant even easily jack it up to give the tire a spin, my apartment parking lot is too tight.