Need help with rotor rust under swept area!

[rihn_iv]

All -
Thanks for taking time to look at this. I have a 2011 A4 with 45,000 miles on it. For a couple of years now I noticed rust on the rotor under the swept area of the brake pad. Sure the hat and edge get rusty, but not what I'm talking about. I can't fathom why the pad isn't contacting the entire rotor under the pad. I'm also referring to the outboard side of the rotor that can be seen through the wheel. I have a picture, but as a newbie, I can't put in an attachment.

Took it into the dealer and they said I should just change the pads and rotors (nice since that isn't under warranty). Pads and rotors I would do myself, but my concern is there an underlying issue with the caliper that SHOULD be covered under warranty? I haven't seen an impact to braking performance.

Has anyone else come across this?!?

Thanks!

[elewsader]

Difficult to picture the issue, you'll need to host the picture on photobucket, imgur or other hosting service; then link the URL in this thread with the appropriate tags.

That will help illustrate better understand what it is that you're seeing.

[rihn_iv]

Thanks, I'm including the picture now...

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4/rihn_iv/IMG_1522_zps2afb4105.jpg

[elewsader]

Okay, that is clearly some uneven pad wear; does the car pull to a specific direction when you apply the brakes?

This could have simply been some defective pad material, since it does seem like the caliper piston is able to apply enough pressure to the pad so it creates some surface area contact.

If you're confident enough to do the brake work yourself, you should be able to remove the pad and check the composition of the material to see how well it's wearing, along with inspecting any of the sliding mechanisms. You'll also want to check the contour of the caliper bore and pad backing then see if there's an obstruction causing the pad to not sit properly.

[TriTexan]

Yep...something definitely amiss. The rotor looks - at least from what I can see on my phone here - like it is uneven enough to need to be replaced along with the pad. While you have them off that's the time to check the piston movement and for anything impeding it's movement. Sorry but I think your shop is right about what needs replacing. Otherwise you are just asking for problems...