Unusual ceramic pads wear
 

Hi all
I've just picked new front pads up for ceramic brakes and would like to know if I've...:
- Done the right thing
or
- Spent £350 just for extra 1.5mm of pads compound??

See the pictures to understand the question I'm trying to answer.

Set 1
This are the pads from normally wearing ceramics, but driver's disc has chipped badly on the inside.
My explanation to the state of pads is that damage to pads was caused by the debris from the chipped disc.

Set 2
This is the set from a very good set of ceramics, but with slightly weird wear on discs, a bit of rusty look on the outside and inside of the contact area, and middle looking slightly more worn but nothing dramatic.
No damage to the disc, but same weird wear on the pads.

Set 3
Brand new pads

All pads are genuine Audi part.


Is this is how pads for ceramics wear off and small missing chunks on every pad is a normal thing?

Are both sets faulty????

When you look at the brand new set, they already have small chunks missing - not as large tho.

So is this how ceramic pads wear off and missing chunks of pad compound is a normal thing on them??

Or is this a result of ceramic brakes not being ''used properly''. if such a thing even exists??? Something along the line of pushing to hard before pads and discs are warmed up??

I understand these are all weird questions, but my knowledge about ceramic brakes is very limited and I've got a feeling that this purchase of brand new pads was completely unnecessary especially after comparing them with 2nd set of pads (middle set from the first picture).

Last picture is the pad which was on the inside of driver's disc (chipped disc).

Thank you all and have a great weekend +++

I can't comment on the specifics of ceramic pads, but I would say yes based on my experience of racing pads with a high CF rating, DS3000s, Carbotech, etc... the pads munch on discs and the pads separate quite quickly, my understanding is its down to higher iron content in the pads and they "self eat"

If it turns out to be the case I'd send the new ones back, I suspect it is the case.

Personally, Marcin, I know nothing but why not contact a brake specialist ( I looked at random and BHP Motorsport came up) who might be able to offer advice? +++

The worn pads certainly dont look right.

I have not seen wear like this on mine. Although I only inspect the surface on changing them. But the material left on the pads had "normal wear". They looked the same as new but with minimal material....

Morning all

Well, after some long research I'm still nowhere near the answer to my question.
After 1781cc's post I was quiet calm, but after I read Kele's post who has exactly same brakes I'm back to where I started few days ago.

How do they feel when braking?

There is always this plug and play alternative: KERAMIK CERAMIC ERSATZ HTCIC BREMSSCHEIBEN KIT FÜR AUDI A8 / S8 Typ 4E - NEU!!

Here

Sorry guys, been flat out around the car and life.

This is another alternative:
http://www.girodisc.com/Girodisc-Fro...S4_p_6337.html

I can only comment on my original set which was absolutely fine in my opinion, but only when I get to drive new set I'll be able to tell if there is any difference.

I've decided to put new pads anyway and from now on I will monitor the wear closely.

I will update the project thread with more detail as soon I finish working on the suspension and brakes.

Thanks guys