Bedding In Your New Brake Pads

Any new brake pads require a process known as “bedding” to help set the compound and improve brake responsiveness. This process is applicable to all the brake kits we offer, and even to the brakes on your daily driver or mom’s minivan. Our goal is to slowly heat up the brakes and let them cool, and to repeat this process a few times. Once this is done then it will be much easier to set bias.

The Process for Bedding Your Brakes & Setting Bias

First, you need to locate a safe, empty stretch of road. Start by getting the car up to 20 mph then stopping abruptly. Next is 30 mph then stop abruptly. Then 40 mph and back to a stop. Then 50 mph so a stop. 60 mph and back to a stop. At this time you should start to notice the car isn’t stopping very well. The braking system is starting to fade. It is normal to even see a little smoke coming from the rotors as they start to burn off oils. You might need to do one more 60 to 0 stop but more or less this should be enough.

Turn around at this point and slowly cruise back home. Take your time getting back. Even if you need to take the long way back you want the brakes to cool a bit before you stop the car. Be super careful at this time. The car in this state will not want to stop well at all. It is all part of the process. Once you’re back home, park the car and let it sit for at least an hour. Do not drive the car again until you can touch the rotors with your hands.

Now take the car back out. To get the bias set you will not need to drive much faster than 20 mph. Get up to 20 mph and stand on the brakes trying purposefully to lock up the tires. You should be able to tell if the front or the rear locked up. If you can not, have a friend stand outside and watch.

At this point pull over and add a turn of bias in the direction you are wanting to go. If the fronts are locking up, add rear brake. If the rears are locking up, turn the knob for less rear brake. You will most likely repeat this step 10 times or so until you get it just right.
Once it feels even, add a turn back toward the front for a little safety factor. We do not want the car backing into a turn the first time you go out with it. Having the front brakes lock just a little before the rear is always a safe place to start.

Now take the car back into the garage to double check all your fittings. You can even give it one last bleed just for fun if you feel so inclined before you move on to the next project.