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How to bed in new brake pads
Installing new brake pads is crucial for maintaining vehicle safety and performance. Properly bedding in your new brake pads ensures they achieve optimal contact with the discs, enhancing braking efficiency and extending their service life. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to effectively bed in your new brakes.
Bedding in new brake pads: Is it necessary?
Yes, bedding in new brake pads is generally necessary to ensure optimal performance and longevity braking system of your car. The bedding in, or breaking in, process typically involves gradually heating and cooling the pads and discs to create an even layer of pad friction material on the disc surface.
It helps make the components last longer by reducing uneven wear, while minimising unnecessary noise and vibrations when braking. Brand new pads often squeal at first until they are properly bedded in.
BREMBO Brake pad set
PRIME LINE - Ring, prepared for wear indicator, with brake caliper screws, with accessories
Article number: P 50 067
£ 28,38
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
BREMBO Brake pad set
prepared for wear indicator, without accessories, with counterweights
Article number: P 85 069
£ 84,87
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
BREMBO Brake pad set
excl. wear warning contact, without accessories
Article number: P 23 021
£ 9,63
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
-56%
ATE Brake pad set
prepared for wear indicator, excl. wear warning contact
Article number: 13.0470-3605.2
RRP
£ 127,75
£ 55,52
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
BOSCH Brake pad set
Low-Metallic, with acoustic wear warning, with anti-squeak plate
Article number: 0 986 424 790
£ 16,73
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
How to bed in new brake pads
For detailed instructions, check out your vehicle model’s repair or car owner’s manual. Take a look at these steps as a guideline for bedding in new car brake discs and pads:
- Find a safe place. You’ll need to find an open road or surface where you’ll be able to brake multiple times without endangering traffic or road users.
- Start the process by speeding up to around 30-40 mph and then apply the brakes moderately to reduce the speed. Repeat this process around 2-3 times.
- Now this time accelerate to around 50-60 mph (provided that it is safe and legal to do so). Repeat this a few times before driving normally for a couple of miles to allow the brakes to cool.
Tip: avoid slowing to a complete stop during hard braking to avoid damaging the pads.
How long does it take for new brake discs and pads to bed in?
If you drive normally, most brake pad linings will take around 300 to 500 miles to be fully bedded in and transfer an even layer of material onto the discs. The process therefore requires a certain amount of patience.
FAQ
Do new brake pads need to be bedded in?
Yes, the bedding process ensures that the brakes work optimally and are better protected against glazing and uneven or premature wear. Most people just need to drive and brake as normal to start off the process. Before being bedded in, the brakes are much noisier and can take longer to stop the vehicle.
How do you properly break in new brake pads?
To break in new brake pads, perform a series of gentle stops from moderate speeds, gradually increasing pressure, then allow cooling between stops. Repeat this process to ensure proper bedding.
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