Question re Bedding New Brake Pads and Rotors . . .

Rcl4668 · 1st September 2007, 21:35

My 2002 M5 is approaching 95,000 miles and will be going to the dealer shortly for some work, including a first time replacement of both the brake rotors and pads. My question is after the work is done do I need to bed the pads a certain way for optimal brake performance or should I drive the car normally?

I did a search on the board and for aftermarket pads, including race or track pads, folks have mentioned a procedure whereby you do some stops from 80-20, 60-20, 50-20 etc to properly bed the pads. If this applies to installaton of new OEM pads, can someone tell me what the bedding procedure is?

Thanks in advance for your help.

/Rich

jclyman · 1st September 2007, 21:47

Sorry, guys, but here's a quote lifted directly from Dave Z's website:

... even if you've purchased a brand new car, you should set aside some time to bed the brakes in by following the instructions below. Proper bedding will improve pedal feel, reduce or eliminate brake squeal, and extend the life of your pads and rotors.

... it's under the "Technical tab"

... thanks Dave ...

gra8fuldd ed · 1st September 2007, 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rcl4668

My 2002 M5 is approaching 95,000 miles and will be going to the dealer shortly for some work, including a first time replacement of both the brake rotors and pads. My question is after the work is done do I need to bed the pads a certain way for optimal brake performance or should I drive the car normally?

I did a search on the board and for aftermarket pads, including race or track pads, folks have mentioned a procedure whereby you do some stops from 80-20, 60-20, 50-20 etc to properly bed the pads. If this applies to installaton of new OEM pads, can someone tell me what the bedding procedure is?

Thanks in advance for your help.

/Rich

NO ... NO ... NO ... Don't do it ! ! !

If you are having Stock BMW Rotors and Stocks pads installed at the dealer, You Should NOT BED thoise rotors and pads. That process is ONLY for aftermarket Kits.

In the Board Sponsor area at the top of thuis page ... Click on Zechhausen Racing and go to Bedding procedures or search bedding procedures and it will tell all you need to know.

You could also send an email to Dave at Zeckhausen Racing and 100% sure he'll tell you exactly what you should do. BUT ... DO NOT ruin your New OEM Rotors and pads cuz they do not need bedding.

HOVO · 1st September 2007, 23:14

yea man dont bed your brakes in like that... mashing ur brakes from 60 down to 20 and repeating isnt going to do you much go. I did this on my stock rotors + axus pads... I cooked the pads and crystalized the rotors.

best way to brake in your stuff, just drive normal and take it easy on the brakes for first 100-200 miles... its that simple

Rcl4668 · 2nd September 2007, 05:18

Guys, thanks for the input. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be consensus on this topic.

Dave Z's artcile is here:

www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm

and does suggest that even with the replacement of OEM (as opposed to inatll of track pads or a big brake kit), the bedding procedure is recommended.

Maybe Dave Z himself can chime in if he is scanning the board . . .

/Rich

J Irwan · 2nd September 2007, 07:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOVO

yea man dont bed your brakes in like that... mashing ur brakes from 60 down to 20 and repeating isnt going to do you much go. I did this on my stock rotors + axus pads... I cooked the pads and crystalized the rotors.

best way to brake in your stuff, just drive normal and take it easy on the brakes for first 100-200 miles... its that simple

I never had any problem bedding Axxis Deluxe plus on my beast.
I've done so on my other cars and my friends car too.

Regardz,

J Irwan

BWDukeM5 · 6th September 2007, 21:43

I replaced my rotors and pads with OEM and needed to bed the brakes. They squealed like a pig until I did that. I did 8-10 60-10 mph hard stops (or until you feel fade) let them come back to normal temp and put it away for the evening. The harder I use the brakes the better they are. They don't squeal at all now and I cooked nothing.

alijonny · 7th September 2007, 02:54

eee! the standard mechanic way of doing it on any standard car (even though this is an M car...) is 30/30/30
1.thirty even stops-
2.from thirty miles an hour to zero-
3.thirty seconds in between stops to allow brakes to cool.

use your own discretion, however you should know the cost of replacement parts for these cars by now. good luck!