This is just one version of "How to..." I am sure there are other's
Taken from the BIRA site, who took it from an article that appeared in Hot Rodding magazine February 2000
quote
"After you've installed your brake kit the natural response may be to head out to the middle of nowhere and stomp on the brake pedal to feel the difference it's made. We'd suggest that you do not do this, at least not yet!!!. The propper break-in procedure for pads and disc's is essential to brake function and longevity. Like breaking in a new engien, a definite series of actions should be taken for optimum performance.
Season the discs
Seasoning the brake disc removes the machine oils from the surface of the disc (like a camshaft break-in) it establishes a wear pattern between the new pads and disc. This procedure also serves to relieve the internal stresses of the material. Once relieved, the disc is ready to accept the heat generated by the bedding pads. New discs need to be heated gradually to "race" temperature before any planned severe use. A light vibration under braking is usually an indication that the discs were heated too quickly. This minor warpage may have to be cured by having the discs machined.
After brake kit installation, your vehicle should be treated to 5 or 6 days of gentle driving. The new brakes should be used lightly with NO performance testing or heavy usage (except in an emergency!!!
). After this period, find a safe place where the brakes can be brought upto temperature. Perform 4 consecutive stops from 60mph to 15mph at about 50% maximum stopping force. Next, drive for 5 continuous minutes at normal road speeds and allow the discs to cool. Then perform 4 medium-effort stops from 60mph to 15mph with 75% stopping force. Once complete drive at normal road speeds for 10 minutes with little or no braking and allow the discs to cool. Park the car and allow the brakes to cool overnight.
The next day follow the above procedure again, after the 75% effort cool down drive, perform 6 hard effort stops from 60mph to 15mph, taking care not to lock up the wheels. Follow this with another 10 minute cool down drive and again allow the car to cool over night allowing the discs to cool to ambient temperature.
Bedding the pads
Once the rotors have beed seasoned, the pads can be bedded (this will require another set of pads). The friction material in semi-metallic brake pads is held together with an orgainc binder which is usually some sort of phenoilc material. As the pads get hot, the binder boils and burns from the top surface of the pads. Once theis burning has taken place, the friction material can make proper contact with the disc. Some manufacturers of carbon metallic brake pads label their products as "pre-burnished". Experience has proven that these respond very well to this bedding procedure. Bedding establishes a wear pattern between the disc and pad as the pad deposits a fine layer of carbon on the disc. NEVER BED PADS ON ROTORS THAT HAVE NOT FIRST BEEN SEASONED.
To properly bed new pads of any thype, perform 2 light to medium stops from 65mph to 10mph. This will bring the disc up to temperature. Then perform 2 back-back heavy stops from 65mph to 10mph at a point just prior to wheel lockup. Drive for 10 minutes to allow the brakes cool, then perform 3 light stops in succession. Finally, perform 8 heavy stops in succession from 65mph to 10mph. Again push the brakes as hard as possible without achieving lockup. Finish the bedding procedure by driving for another 10 minutes, allowing the brakes to cool.
Due to the nature of bedding and the differences between semi and carbon metallic pads, it is not recommened to switch from carbon to the semi items. Upgrading to carbon pads will require bedding to establish the proper carbon layer on the disc, but if you must use semi metallic pads, you will need to wear through this carbon layer. The semi metallic pads will not grip well untill this layer is removed."
End quote.
Works for me
Taken from the BIRA site, who took it from an article that appeared in Hot Rodding magazine February 2000
quote
"After you've installed your brake kit the natural response may be to head out to the middle of nowhere and stomp on the brake pedal to feel the difference it's made. We'd suggest that you do not do this, at least not yet!!!. The propper break-in procedure for pads and disc's is essential to brake function and longevity. Like breaking in a new engien, a definite series of actions should be taken for optimum performance.
Season the discs
Seasoning the brake disc removes the machine oils from the surface of the disc (like a camshaft break-in) it establishes a wear pattern between the new pads and disc. This procedure also serves to relieve the internal stresses of the material. Once relieved, the disc is ready to accept the heat generated by the bedding pads. New discs need to be heated gradually to "race" temperature before any planned severe use. A light vibration under braking is usually an indication that the discs were heated too quickly. This minor warpage may have to be cured by having the discs machined.
After brake kit installation, your vehicle should be treated to 5 or 6 days of gentle driving. The new brakes should be used lightly with NO performance testing or heavy usage (except in an emergency!!!
). After this period, find a safe place where the brakes can be brought upto temperature. Perform 4 consecutive stops from 60mph to 15mph at about 50% maximum stopping force. Next, drive for 5 continuous minutes at normal road speeds and allow the discs to cool. Then perform 4 medium-effort stops from 60mph to 15mph with 75% stopping force. Once complete drive at normal road speeds for 10 minutes with little or no braking and allow the discs to cool. Park the car and allow the brakes to cool overnight.The next day follow the above procedure again, after the 75% effort cool down drive, perform 6 hard effort stops from 60mph to 15mph, taking care not to lock up the wheels. Follow this with another 10 minute cool down drive and again allow the car to cool over night allowing the discs to cool to ambient temperature.
Bedding the pads
Once the rotors have beed seasoned, the pads can be bedded (this will require another set of pads). The friction material in semi-metallic brake pads is held together with an orgainc binder which is usually some sort of phenoilc material. As the pads get hot, the binder boils and burns from the top surface of the pads. Once theis burning has taken place, the friction material can make proper contact with the disc. Some manufacturers of carbon metallic brake pads label their products as "pre-burnished". Experience has proven that these respond very well to this bedding procedure. Bedding establishes a wear pattern between the disc and pad as the pad deposits a fine layer of carbon on the disc. NEVER BED PADS ON ROTORS THAT HAVE NOT FIRST BEEN SEASONED.
To properly bed new pads of any thype, perform 2 light to medium stops from 65mph to 10mph. This will bring the disc up to temperature. Then perform 2 back-back heavy stops from 65mph to 10mph at a point just prior to wheel lockup. Drive for 10 minutes to allow the brakes cool, then perform 3 light stops in succession. Finally, perform 8 heavy stops in succession from 65mph to 10mph. Again push the brakes as hard as possible without achieving lockup. Finish the bedding procedure by driving for another 10 minutes, allowing the brakes to cool.
Due to the nature of bedding and the differences between semi and carbon metallic pads, it is not recommened to switch from carbon to the semi items. Upgrading to carbon pads will require bedding to establish the proper carbon layer on the disc, but if you must use semi metallic pads, you will need to wear through this carbon layer. The semi metallic pads will not grip well untill this layer is removed."
End quote.
Works for me