Cheap brake pads could shorten the life of your wheels...don't do it!!

[Yellow Saddle]

I'm familiar with shiny aluminium from the rims being attached to the surface of the brake pads. What I found was dull, grey particles embedded deep within the material - it looks like zinc or similar.

Show us a cut-through of said pad.

I really doubt that anyone would put pieces of zinc in their rubber. Why would they? Besides, it is easy to test zinc. Drop a bit of acid on it and it will fizz.

 

[airbrake]

Show us a cut-through of said pad.

I really doubt that anyone would put pieces of zinc in their rubber. Why would they? Besides, it is easy to test zinc. Drop a bit of acid on it and it will fizz.

I normally take plenty of pictures of components - especially when something interesting is going on, and when I saw these pieces I should have reached for the camera and took some macros. Instead, I just dug out the pieces I could see, but I'm sure there's going to be more. My idea was to put these pads on a shopper / rat bike and check what happens as they wear down. The curious thing is that where this material has been rubbing against the rim surface it is not shiny - it is the same dull grey as the pieces beneath the surface. Will try a vinegar test when they re-appear and report back with pictures.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Why not just take the blocks off and cut through them and photograph before they cause any more damage?

 

[dodgy]

Have you done any experiments to make sure the fridge light really turns off when you close the door?