pad and rotor bedding

[n1gzd]

Hi,
I want to change my pads and rotors (Miata). I have read on a page linked from the 949Racing site (on a page that focused on Carbotech pads) that the place to bed new pads and rotors is the track, not the street.

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showpost.php? ... stcount=58

Is this really true? Should I use my old equipment for early season autocross and then show up at the COM test day with the new rotors and pads?

Thanks,
Rebecca

[nateh]

Yes.

[n1gzd]

will do. thanks.
Rebecca

[grovefromnh]

To have your pads bed in quicker, take an old toaster oven and put it outside. Place pads inside with no overlapping. 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Unplug/shut off oven. Let cool down (DON'T open door as cold air will make pads brittle) Install pads . They will bed in much quicker with NO green fade.

[breakaway500]

How about 5 minutes in a microwave?

You can bed brakes in on the street,you just need to be very careful on the 60 to 0 stops,so that no one is behind you,especially cops.
I don't know where the guy came from,but last year while out bedding brakes, a state trooper ended up right behind me with the blue lights flashing.I pulled over,so did he (or she) and then..they took off! I'm not sure what it was all about,but luckily no ticket etc. Maybe the honey glazed had just come out of the frier...?

[TroyV]

Maybe I'm just a tool, but I've never had to bed Carbotech pads in any sort of procedure based way. I just throw them in and run them. If the pads go in at home.....or at the track...whatever. They always feel great and last a long time for me.

[breakaway500]

^I've also found Carbotechs to be very forgiving in regard to "proper" break-in,as long as the rotors have seen only a strict diet of Carbotech pads. When I have mixed and matched different pads on rotors without replacing or resurfacing the rotors,the brakes have never felt 100%,compared to keeping pads/rotors on the same regimental diet. Now I'm hungry...

[TroyV]

Good point. I've been on the same brand and compound pads since I bought the car.

[Chrispy]

Some pads seem to be finicky about bedding, Hawk DTC's somewhat, Ferodo's especially. CL's or PF's I do nothing, just stick 'em in there and drive. Haven't tried Carbotech's as they can't seem to figure out my pad shape. Seem to be pretty forgiving from what everyone says though. Switching compounds between street and track is always the big issue for the race pads that need a heavy transfer layer. Are you just going to leave the Carbotech's on there and ignore the squeaks?

[breakaway500]

I think the squeaking is the best part of Carbotechs...I don't ever have to use my horn..

[n1gzd]

I plan on leaving the carbotech installed and ignore the squeeks. I also plan on starting with new rotors when I install the carbotech (as recommended by the link above). My disks are pretty badly pitted anyway.
Rebecca

[chaos4NH]

Say what you want about no bedding necessary with Carbotechs, But I have to strongly disagree! You want squeaky carbotechs? you get them 2 ways:
1. Install on rotors that used a different pad for a period of time. The longer the old pads were on, the more likely you will have squealing pads. Either use new rotors (my choice) or have the old ones resurfaced (not always successful in reducing squeal).
2. Do not bed the brakes. Carbotech does not send a sheet on bedding with their pads because they are anal. Those instructions are necessary to follow, especially if running aggressive pads like XP10 or XP12 ON THE STREET. I am a lazy old duffer, so I run my XP12's on the track and street. I don't have brake squeal since I started bedding per Carbotech spec sheet.
As to where you bed them, follow Mark's advice and do it in low traffic areas! I have successfully done this on the street for the past 4 years. Thanks to my low profile bright red car LOL.

[CP]

Hawk Blue user here on a Spec Miata (SCCA NER STU champ and 2nd in SM last season). I've got 4+ years on these pads. During the initial session I bring them up to temp slowly and then wail on them until they get soft. Come in to cool until the next session and then wail on them again and again and again...

I tried the DTC compound (which is supposed to feel like Carbotechs) last year at the COM test day and couldn't get used to the "feely pedal" that I felt was a LONG pedal. I get perfectly good pedal feel with the Blues and will continue to use this pad as long as it is produced. Never had a problem with pedal feel, left foot braking or trail braking with the Blues.

On rotors for a Miata (same break-in procedure as the Blues): they're so cheap that you should just replace them rather than get them turned. I do actually weigh my rotors to try to get ones that are equal side to side.

[nateh]

We've been using Hawk Blues forever (20K track miles). Tried a few others, but ended up coming back. Work great, last a long time, no hassles. Just take the first session a bit easy, and go ahead from there.