Break-in procedure, new pads ('66)

[Jeff S.]

Is there any break-in sequence that is recommended after installation of new pads (AC Delco standard, organic, 14D8)? That is, some number of stops from different mph, and the like? There are no such instructions included in the packaging, although I've noted that on my modern, metal-cars such procedures always come with the parts.

Thanks,
Jeff

[Joe L.]

Re: Break-in procedure, new pads ('66)

Is there any break-in sequence that is recommended after installation of new pads (AC Delco standard, organic, 14D8)? That is, some number of stops from different mph, and the like? There are no such instructions included in the packaging, although I've noted that on my modern, metal-cars such procedures always come with the parts.

Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff-------


Have you checked you factory service manual?

[Edward J.]

Re: Break-in procedure, new pads ('66)

Jeff, most Manufacturers generally say slow easy stops for the first 50 miles, with cool downs between each stop. no hard stops.

[Jeff S.]

Re: Break-in procedure, new pads ('66)

Jeff-------


Have you checked you factory service manual?

Yes I have.

[Duke W.]

Re: Break-in procedure, new pads ('66)

Assuming the rotors weren't turned (which I don't recommend unless they have excessive runout) and the rotor surface is not severely scored all you need is "normal" light to moderate braking for 50-100 miles road miles. As the pads "bed-in" you should notice lower pedal effort.

The rotors on my cars are all severely scored due to running them in race track hot lap events with semi-metallic pads. Most brake shops would think they are junk, but since they are not warped and still have a good deal more thickness than the minimum, they are perfectly serviceable.

The only "problem" is that due to the rotor scoring it takes considerably longer to bed-in the pads - on the order of 300 miles of normal road driving - light to moderate braking.

Brake shops like to turn rotors because new pads with a fresh rotor surfaces will bed-in very quickly - literally on the drive home, so they don't have customer complaints about "poor brake performance", but rotor life is considerably shortened due to material removal, which can bring them down to near or even below minimum thickness with as little as one turning operation.

On a lot of modern cars shops often want to replace rotors with every pad change because they know that turning will bring them down below minimum thickness. This is probably reasonable for the average driver who doesn't know the difference between a rotor and caliper, but "car guys" can save a lot of money by implementing a reasonably disciplined break-in procedure as described above.

Way back in the seventies I replaced pads on a GF's Celica and went through the recommended break-in procedure that came with the pads - something like making six successive moderate to severe stops from about 60 MPH. All that did was ruin the pads. Live and learn! Ever since I have followed the above "easy break-in" procedure and never had any problems with breaking in new pads.

Back in the nineties I was running my '91 MR2 in track events at the Streets of Willow Springs with the local Shelby club along with a buddy who had a '88 MR2. Prior to one event he installed new pads, and I warned him that he needed about 300 miles of normal road driving to bed them in. He said they would bed-in on the drive up. Yeah, right - about 100 miles of freeway driving. During the first session his brakes were smoking so badly that he was black flagged.

I don't remember if he was able to run all four sessions that day, due to lack of brakes, but by the end of the day the pads were totally shot and needed replacement, again.

Duke

[Jeff S.]

Re: Break-in procedure, new pads ('66)

Thank you Duke -- that's what I thought & the response I was looking for.
Jeff

[Wayne M.]

Re: Break-in procedure, new pads ('66)

Per the instructions included with J56 fronts, the break-in was slightly more harsh. Half throttle for half a mile with enough brake pressure to slow the car to 15 to 20 mph.