While some minor differences in wear might exist, replacing just the brakes on one axle can lead to several problems:
* Uneven braking: Different braking force between the axles can lead to instability and reduced braking performance.
* ABS issues: The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) relies on balanced braking across all wheels. Unevenly worn brakes can confuse the ABS system and cause it to malfunction.
* AWD system issues: The AWD system relies on proper wheel speed sensing to distribute torque effectively. Uneven braking can disrupt this balance and potentially damage the AWD system components.
* Premature wear: If you only replace the brakes on one axle, the other axle's worn brakes will quickly wear out the newly installed brakes, necessitating another expensive repair soon after.
Therefore, replacing all four brakes at the same time (or at least front and rear axles together) is the recommended and most cost-effective approach for an AWD vehicle. This ensures balanced braking, optimal ABS function, and prolongs the life of your entire braking system.
