A brake bed-in is a process that helps prepare the brake pads and the rotor to work well together by establishing a protective film on the surface of the rotor with friction. This film is created with material from the brake pad and helps your brake pads last longer.
Drivers typically bed in their brakes after they install new brake pads or brake rotors by simply driving the vehicle normally, but there is a specific procedure that works best for this.
Bedding in the brake pads can help prevent early life brake fade. It works toward ensuring consistent brake performance and helps increase brake friction. It may also improve brake longevity.
Bedding in your brakes revolves around the friction between the rotor and the brake pads, which burns away gunk and moisture on the brake pad. This prevents what’s known as early life brake fade, or “green fade,” which is characterized by poor braking performance.
In addition, bedding in new pads and rotors can help prevent thermal shock in new rotors.
Freshly installed brake pads and rotors that haven’t been bedded in yet might not work consistently. Brake performance could often be unresponsive until the pads and the rotor become accustomed to one another.
While the two will eventually work well together after a certain amount of time, bedding in the brakes helps speed up the process. This is because bedding in the brakes increases friction and brake responsiveness.
The most common thing you might notice with new brake pads (depending on the type of pad) is that the pedal may be a little softer than it was with the old pads. This isn’t a big problem and will usually straighten itself out as you drive. Cheaper pads may stink and smoke after the first few stops, but higher grade pads won’t.
The most common thing you might notice with new brake pads (depending on the type of pad) is that the pedal may be a little softer than it was with the old pads. This isn’t a big problem and will usually straighten itself out as you drive. Cheaper pads may stink and smoke after the first few stops, but higher grade pads won’t.
–Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
Friction is generated when this new brake pad film is sheared and the rotor machine marks are worn smooth as the pads are applied, effectively matching the pads to the surfaces where they’ll live until they’re worn out.
Because bedding in your brakes establishes a stable transfer film, the brake system can last longer. The film lets the rotor and the brake pads make a lot more contact with one another, making the brakes more responsive. The initial contact of a new pad and its rotor surface isn’t a complete match until the two surfaces have worked together for a while.
Fortunately, bedding in your brake pads is a relatively simple process that doesn’t require a mechanic. You won’t need special tools or equipment to get the job done – just your vehicle and the open road. It’s important to mention that bedding in your brakes should always be done on empty roads with as few people on the road as possible. Doing it early in the morning is ideal. You’ll need to maintain a steady speed without stopping, so avoiding other drivers is a must.
There are actually a couple of decent methods of burnishing or bedding new brakes.
First, let’s look at the Bendix 30/30/30 Method:
This is another method that might be harder to follow because there are more steps:
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding brake bed-ins.
Many factors affect how long it takes for a vehicle’s brake pads to bed in. For example, the brake pads you use and the specifications of your vehicle can speed up the process or make it take longer.
Typically, you’ll need to drive 100-300 miles before the bedding-in process is complete. Deliberately bedding in your vehicle’s brakes with the guide listed above speeds this up even further.
While it’s not necessary to bed in your brake pads, it’s strongly recommended to do so because the process allows your brakes to perform more optimally.
If you don’t bed in your vehicle’s brakes, gunk might build up in the rotors, causing vibrations in the steering wheel and suspension. Bedding in the brakes allows friction material to be distributed evenly, making the brake system more effective and responsive.
Stopping your vehicle in the middle of bedding in the brakes will leave excessive pad material on the rotors, negatively affecting braking performance. When bedding the brakes, brake only to slow down.
A new high-quality brake pad set would need to undergo a bed-in process after installation. It can make good parts work even better and help the brakes last longer. For a brake pad set that delivers long-lasting stopping power, order from CarParts.com.
At CarParts.com, we have a wide selection of high-quality brake pad sets for you to choose from. We exclusively source our parts and accessories from companies trusted by numerous drivers across the US, ensuring you get the performance and reliability you deserve. Find the right brake parts by entering your vehicle’s year, make, model, and engine into our website’s vehicle selector. Our extensive catalog will have compatible products that meet your application. There’s no need to leave your home because we deliver your order to your doorstep.
It only takes several taps on your mobile device to get a new brake pad set at CarParts.com. Browse our brake pad sets and order one that perfectly fits your vehicle today.
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