how long does it take till pads and rotors are broken in?

**phEight** · 07-19-2008 07:34 PM

Hey guys,

I bought slotted ATE front rotors and plain ate rear rotors with hawk hps pads. I bought everything from MJMAutohaus but my pad sensors don't fit the car! So we just did the old complete the circuit with the old sensor trick since I figured out the sensors didn't fit after taking everything apart which was a huge pain in the ass. I bought the pads with the proper sensor so that I could use them, not to cut it off, which is what we had to end up doing. I a b6 1.8t a4. I couldn't do hard braking yet since the rear rotors say don't do any hard braking for about 100 miles but the pads say to do hard stops from 45mph to 0 after doing a few moderate stops. I did the moderate stops but no really hard stops.

I've driven the car about 50 miles now but the brakes don't seem to be exactly what I expected.. especially if I brake from 50-60 mph. The pedal feels very firm but there isn't much bite, and everyone seemed to comment on how the hps pads had a really nice initial bite. I also wanted to show you guys a pic of the front rotor which had some powdery white/gray stuff brand new.. so far the right side the gray is all gone and the color of the rotor looks normal but on the left one there is a little part in the middle where it seems the pad isn't making full contact. It seems as though slowly it's working way there but I'm not sure if this is normal. I'll post pics in a bit.

Do you guys think the feel will improve after another 50-100 miles or is what I feel now how it's probably going to always be?

**h3lp_c0mput3r** · 07-29-2008 10:08 PM

you have to "bed" them. You need to find somewhere you can drive freeway speeds and stop frequently without disrupting traffic.

do a search to find out more about bedding, but here are the basics:

Bedding is important because it allows you new brakes to heat up to operating temps and then cool, and it properly transfers material from you pads to your rotors so you don't get uneven deposits. Properly bedded brakes will last longer and stop better.

Start by making ten 10 or so smooth stops, from 25mph - 5mph, don't stop all the way,
Then do 10 or so smooth stops from 45mph to 5mph, then do it for 60mph to 5.

You'll start to smell your brakes, that is normal. When you feel some brake fade, the the brake aren't gripping as hard and start to feel slightly mushy, then stop making stops, drive around for a bit and let your brakes cool off. that is pretty much the process. One important thing to note is that you don't want to park and set the parking brake while the brakes are still hot. This can cause your rotors to warp.

You want to bed your brakes at least twice, maybe 3 times.

**jonsaudi** · 08-01-2008 03:46 PM

. One important thing to note is that you don't want to park and set the parking brake while the brakes are still hot. This can cause your rotors to warp.

Does this mean all the time after driving? I always engage my handle brake when I park...is this wrong??

**jonsaudi** · 08-01-2008 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by h3lp_c0mput3r

One important thing to note is that you don't want to park and set the parking brake while the brakes are still hot. This can cause your rotors to warp.

(qouted)

**h3lp_c0mput3r** · 08-01-2008 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by jonsaudi

. Does this mean all the time after driving? I always engage my handle brake when I park...is this wrong??

No, setting the parking brake is fine when you have been operating the brakes at normal temps. You only need to be careful when you have been running the brakes hard, like during bedding, if you track the car, after a canyon run, etc.

**jonsaudi** · 08-04-2008 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by h3lp_c0mput3r

No, setting the parking brake is fine when you have been operating the brakes at normal temps. You only need to be careful when you have been running the brakes hard, like during bedding, if you track the car, after a canyon run, etc.

Gotcha.

**EBG 18T** · 08-04-2008 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by phEight

Hey guys,

I bought slotted ATE front rotors and plain ate rear rotors with hawk hps pads.

The instructions for bedding Hawk HPS pads are right on their website. Once you bed them properly. Let them cool down you will be good to go.

quoted:
"Burnishing Instructions

After installing new brake pads, make 6 to 10 stops from approximately 30-35 mph applying moderate pressure.
Make an additional 2 to 3 hard stops from approximately 40 to 45 mph.
DO NOT DRAG BRAKES!
Allow 15 minutes for brake system to cool down.
After step 4 your new pads are ready for use. "

If you need a link: Bedding Instructions from hawk