They were the cheapest I could get. My thinking was it is a cheap car and it isn't going to be ragged around at all, so brakes are brakes.
First problem was that the front pads were painted yellow and the paint was so thick on the locating "T" pieces they were jamming in the calipers.
So took them all off and filed the paint off. All good, I thought.
Yesterday I happened to notice that the front discs had rust marks on the outer 50% but were clean on the inner 50%. On closer inspection it was apparent that the outer half still had the manufacturing scoring, so was obvious the pads were not touching that part of the disc. It was the same on both sides.
So today I dismantled the brakes (again) and found the problem. The outer pads had 2 small 'pins' or 'nipples' cast into the rear of the pad. These nipples were 'just' fouling the caliper edge, so causing the pad to tilt when the brakes were applied. This explained the 50% wear. The inner pads have the 'nipples' aswell but the piston doesn't go near them so they were fine.
So I ground the nipples flat on both outer pads and re-assembled. Quick test drive and nice shiny discs all over and obviously the brakes are 25% more effective.
I know some will say I should have checked the seating when first installed, but I couldn't see the problem with the caliper fitted (and it fitted easily, so no cause for concern).
So the moral of the story is to not presume parts are correct, even if they fit. And potentially don't buy cheap shite!
