Brake pad break-in procedure
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,296
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From: Largo Florida
Brake pad break-in procedure
I remember when I got some Hawk pads that there was a specific procedure such as below taken from their site.
Is this necessary for NAPA Ceramic pads I just bought?
[Modified by ericcer, 8:18 AM 12/23/2001]
(1) Brake from 50mph down to 10mph using moderate pedal pressure.
Repeat this process 6 to 8 times in succession.
(2) Cool down the brakes by driving for 10-15 minutes on the highway.
Avoid having to use the brakes during this cool-down period.
(3) Repeat step (1), but use very heavy pedal pressure.
Brakes may fade during this set of braking, so please use caution.
(4) Repeat step (2).
(5) Park the car for 4 to 6 hours after the brakes are cooled down.
Allowing the pads to "rest" overnight is preferred.
Cars with a curb weight of over 3000lb. may require one "light" track session to sufficiently heat up the pads, followed by a good cool down period, in order to ensure both pad longevity and maximum potential brake torque
Repeat this process 6 to 8 times in succession.
(2) Cool down the brakes by driving for 10-15 minutes on the highway.
Avoid having to use the brakes during this cool-down period.
(3) Repeat step (1), but use very heavy pedal pressure.
Brakes may fade during this set of braking, so please use caution.
(4) Repeat step (2).
(5) Park the car for 4 to 6 hours after the brakes are cooled down.
Allowing the pads to "rest" overnight is preferred.
Cars with a curb weight of over 3000lb. may require one "light" track session to sufficiently heat up the pads, followed by a good cool down period, in order to ensure both pad longevity and maximum potential brake torque
[Modified by ericcer, 8:18 AM 12/23/2001]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 765
Likes: 11
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Brake pad break-in procedure (ericcer)
I would imagine that would be the "most perfferd" method of breaking them in, but in reality, about 10 regular pressure stops with some cool down time in between stops, is good enough. The idea is to scrub off some of the top finish of both the rotors and pads to "seat" them together. I don't really think anything that elaborate is going to make or break the pads. ...but if you've got the time, why not do it? It can't hurt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 0
From: Lockport NY
Re: Brake pad break-in procedure (ericcer)
Certainly couldn't hurt. Did you check the NAPA site?
The Porterfield R4S Carbon/Kevlar pads I just got have a similar break-in procedure, detailed on their site.
Raybestos also makes Ceramic pads; so does AC Delco. You might want to check their sites out, also.
If all else fails, ask Ken Fichtner. He sells the AC Delco ceramic pads.
The Porterfield R4S Carbon/Kevlar pads I just got have a similar break-in procedure, detailed on their site.
Raybestos also makes Ceramic pads; so does AC Delco. You might want to check their sites out, also.
If all else fails, ask Ken Fichtner. He sells the AC Delco ceramic pads.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Re: Brake pad break-in procedure (Rich B.)
After I installed the NAPA Ceramix pads this summer, I drove it normally for a week with very easy stops. Then I tried a maximum stop from 70 mph, and they did not stop it as quickly as they should have. That must have seated them in as they have stopped extremely well ever since with very little dust appearing on the wheels. I am very happy with the NAPA Ceramix pads but they are pretty expensive.
