Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:00:34 -0400
Reply-To: Edward Maglott <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Edward Maglott <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Brake Fade
In-Reply-To: <008401cc7101$b775abf0$6401a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed
Both of those chemical treatments are things I've
never used before and never would consider it if
I hadn't been given them by someone whose
automotive knowledge I have a pretty fair amount
of confidence in. From what I've read they are
aimed at dealing with the relationship between
the pads and the rotors (duh.) Something about
filling tiny voids, evening out the contact surface.
I found the box for my new pads, no information
about break in, but I found that Advance Auto
Parts sells them and contacted them for break in
info. Also did some googling on the Wearever
Silver pads. Seems like few performance drivers
like them, a medium number hate them for any
purpose, and some think they are fine for daily
drivers. I think they aren't any good for the
vanagon due to it's more than average load on the
brakes. I'll be getting some better pads from
one of our vendors. Anyway, here's the break-in
procedure I got from Advance Auto Parts. I don't
know if this is really something specific for the
Wearever pads or some boilerplate doc the guy sent me.
Edward
This is a follow up email for your inquiry
regarding on the proper break-in procedure for
Wearever Silver Brake Pads - Front.
Please follow the steps below for proper break-in
procedures for Wearever Silver Brake Pads – Front.
Step 1- Do a series of 5 back to back normal to
moderately aggressive stops from 40mph to a
rolling stop. Do not come to a complete stop, but
almost. Do not ride the brakes during the break in process.
Step 2- After the first 5 stops, drive around at
normal speeds for approximately 10-15 minutes to
cool down the pads. During this time, try to use
the brakes as little as possible. If you have to
stop, do so moderately and then use the parking
brake to hold yourself in place until such a time
that you can proceed with the cool down. The
object is to keep from imprinting a layer of
friction material onto the hot rotor.
Step 3- Repeat Step 1 and 2 again.
Step 4- By this time, the brakes should be safe
enough to drive normally and should be left to cool down overnight if possible.
Step 5- After an overnight cool down, repeat Step 1 and 2 again.
After Step 5, drive and use the brakes normally.
The stopping performance should continue to
improve steadily until it finally levels off.
WARNING: In order to achieve the best results
from these brake pads, the following break in procedure must be done.
As in all things brake related, if you do not
understand what you are doing, get help or
assistance from someone who does. Failure to
properly install and/or diagnose issues that can
arise from an improperly functioning brake system
or part installation, can and will lead to injury or death to you or others.
WARNING: Be safe and aware of your surroundings
during the break-in procedure. Use an area that
is low in other vehicular traffic and pedestrians
in order to be as safe as possible.