Braking in new pads in front. - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

blinkwatt · 03-11-2006, 08:36 AM

Well after installing my new front pads I let my dad drive my car(with me in it). I told him to hit the brakes somewhat hard to see if there was a noticeable difference. The brakes became alot more stiff and not so mushy feeling. But when he hit the brakes really hard it sounding like there was a sound like something skidding in the middle of it hard braking. It was fine when he hit them light and really hard but it was in the middle of the really hard one it made the sound. Could it have been the ABS or did I somehow get air in the brake lines(Iam changing the fluid out this week and redoing the rear pads anyways) or could it have just been the new pads "breaking in"(they were only used very lighty for about 3 stops before he decided to hit them really hard). Other then that the brakes have been fine.

MNBoxster · 03-11-2006, 10:08 AM

Hi,

I suspect that it was the ABS kicking in. But, you should not use the Brakes Hard for the 1st 50-100 miles after installing new Street Pads. This will cause the Pads and Rotors to Glaze. There's a somewhat natural inclination to Stomp on them after servicing them to assure yourself that they are better, but avoid doing this.

As I sugessted, go the the Manufacturers Web site to see what their particular Bedding-in procedure is. There is no one method to use, rather each depends on the particular Friction Material combination used in the Pads. You want to get them up to temp several times to off-gas any remaining solvent in the Pads and to deposit a layer of the new Friction Material on the Rotors.

If you have already Glazed the Pads and Rotors, you'll need to remove the Pads and rough them up, and the Rotors, to remove the excess material using ScotchBrite Pad or 40-60 Grit Sandpaper. If using the Sandpaper, be sure to wide any residual grit off the Pads and Rotors using a solvent (prefereably denatured alcohol...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

blinkwatt · 03-11-2006, 06:30 PM

How can I tell if I have glazed them? I drove the car to work today and used the brakes 10 times,worked fine everytime with no problems.

MNBoxster · 03-11-2006, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

How can I tell if I have glazed them? I drove the car to work today and used the brakes 10 times,worked fine everytime with no problems.

Hi,

You're probably OK then. But, still avoid standing on them for 50 or so miles. Don't feather them either as this can be just as bad. Just brake purposely and steadily and go through several heating/cooling cycles to make sure they're thoroughly off-gassed.

A Funny story... several years ago there was an Open Track Day at BIR several hours away. I decided to bring my 240Z up along with a Buddy who had a Lotus Elan+2. I decided to swap the Pads for some new Race Pads I had.

Race Pads Bed-in much quicker, so I thought the drive there would be sufficient. Anyway, once there, you got into a rotation which allowed you 6 Hot Laps and then you came in to wait rotating out again. I pulled into Pit Lane, got out of the Car, pulled off my Helmet, and was walking to the Paddock when someone called "Hey, is that your Yellow Car? - It's on Fire!"

I turned and saw smoke and Flame coming from the Right Front Wheel. I grabbed a bucket of water which was sitting there and dousing the Wheel put out the flame. It turned out that I had ignited the Paint on the backing of the Pad from the heat generated. Fortunately no damage, except to my Fruit of the Looms!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99