Just installed new front and back rotors and ceramic pads (brembo blanks & PBR/Axxis Deluxe Advanced from Import Replacement Parts in the group buy).

With pads now a days, is bedding the brakes still needed, or is it just "old school"?

Would enjoy to hear everyones opinion and how they do it if they do!

Thanks

 

My local mechanic thinks the answer is NO, but he admits some of his customers still insist on it. Seems to me that incorrectly bedding in the brakes could be more dangerous than avoiding the process at all, so I skipped it and have no issues. I am NOT an expert- just my .02.

 

I do it about twice a year, or whenever the brakes get so noticeably skippy that I need to do something about it. The trick is finding a long stretch of road without any other cars. A lonely section of highway very early in the morning usually works.

Here's what I've been doing... rinse and repeat 6 or 8 times in a row:

1. drive at 60 mph
2. apply full-on brakes without engaging the ABS
3. come to almost a complete stop, but not quite, then race back up to 60

When done, drive around casually for a while (like on the highway) without using the brakes, so they can cool down.

Not sure I'd recommend it when you're brakes are already functioning correctly, but this works for me when they get lumpy.

 

My answer is yes...You're the second person to use this term "modern brakes"...what so modern about bonded pads, whether thier composition is ceramic, semi-metallic, etc...they still need to be bedded so that they are temper treated to provide the best operation on our 80 year old disc brake design....

 

Yes, they do need to be bedded in. Follow the manufactures recommended procedure.

 

You're right, I should have thought of that...went to their web site and here it is:

BREAK-IN PROCEDURES
After installing new brakes, they need to be broken-in properly. To condition friction and rotors correctly, the following procedures should be followed:


1.Accelerate vehicle to 40 MPH.
2.Apply brakes using light to moderate pedal effort to reduce speed to approximately 10 MPH.
3.Repeat steps 1 and 2 at least ten times, allowing 1/4 mile between cycles.