The brakes on my 98 ls were all replaced 6 months ago and have been working fine. Driving home today the rear wheels started to make a loud grinding metal sound whenever the car is moving. The sound goes away when I turn right.

Inspecting my brakes, my driver rear brake is worn down considerably and will need to be replaced. All the other 3 pads are still new. What is causing this uneven wear? Could the caliper with the worn pad be locked? Thanks

 

-seized caliper can cause un-even wear
-do you machine or replace the rotors?

 

Don't forget about the e-brake cable. If it is siezed up or not properly adjusted it can cause brake wear issues.

 

Either the slider pins for the caliper are not allowing the caliper to center (due to corrosion on the pins or hard grease), or you've got dirt and rust built up where the pads seat on the caliper and that doesn't allow the pads to 'float'. Check the little rubber boots on the caliper pins for holes or cracks and replace if necessary. Clean and re-grease the pins. Remove the pads and clean the mounting contact surfaces on both the pads and caliper.

BTW, remember, the pistons on the rear have to be 'screwed' back in as opposed to just pushed back in like the fronts.