my mate's ef GLi auto is wearing out the front discs prematurely. he's having to machine and then replace the discs on average ONCE A YEAR!
as they wear out the steering shakes under brakes (slight shake in normal driving when really worn) and the discs become shiney and discoloured.

He's not sure if the problem is recuring because of lazy mechanics not looking far enough into the problem and only replacing the discs, telling him that the problem is he's driving through puddles of water when the brakes are hot. (he doesn't travell that far and he's living in drought conditions!).

Could it be faulty stubb axles?

what pads does he use?

whatever the mechanics supply, possibly bendix

With the "advancement" in technology, and the demand for better braking, materials have needed to be altered in the braking system of the modern car. This has meant different materials for both the rotors and the pads. It is not uncommon nowadays to have to have the rotors machined at every service, even to have to replace them after 60,000 kms or so. (As an aside, the centers for the bearings on the stub axles were altered as well from what they used to be on the "X" series, to save weight)

With the EF and EL's (my experience here) it is best not to use too hard a pad. I have found over the years that what was the Bendix "Advance" gave the best life to the rotors. The pedal feel was not as good as it is with the "Ultimates" but rotor life was extended. Bendix have recently changed the pad "line-up" and I have yet to see how the new generation of pads/rotors last.

Here endeth the lesson

if he has wheels with plasic liners in them, take them off. cause too much heat within the inner wheel and overheats brakes, can warp them