Break Pad Break-in

[TowDawg]

I just got a new set of Hawk ceramics (goodbye to EBC reds). There are directions on the box on how to properly break them in after I put them on, but just wondered if anyone here had done anything differently. I've learned that there are sometimes better ways to do things for specific vehicles that whatever the "standard" procedure is for an entire a range of products for all vehicles.

 

[ViperGeorge]

Problem with pad bed in procedures is that most of them require you to go from 60 (or higher for race pads) to 10 under hard braking. Repeated 10-15 times. Then you have to drive for 15-20 minutes at 50 to cool the brakes and then repeat the procedure. I don't live near any roads where I could do that without having someone call the cops on me. Never did figure out a better procedure though.

 

[Achilles99]

I break in new pads and rotors by scuffing the rotors with a wire brush attachment on the end of a drill. That gets rid of the old material. I don't even bother with the multiple accelerations and stops. I do a few to make sure that they stop the car, but that's it.

I've never had a problem at the track doing them this way. Don't overthink it, I've never seen a case where "improper" break-in caused any lack of stopping power.

Glad you replaced the EBC reds.