Breakin of front pads and rotors.

[bluestripe67]

I will be replacing my front rotors, pads etc with MB parts. What is the recommended procedure for breaking in the rotors/pads?

[joe p]

Drive it pretty easy for a few heat cycles of the pads.



Joe

[GregS]

My shop manual states: "carefully wear in the new brake pads by slowly braking from about 80 km/h to 40 km/h several times. Allow the brakes to cool down in between."

This sounds similar to the directions given with my old Saab 900 which stated to slow from 30mph to 10mph in about 5-10 seconds, then drive for about 1 minute, repeat 10 times. The idea is to burn off the chemicals in the adhesives that bind the brake pad materials together. If you don't, I guess it can leave residue on the rotors and pads that reduce braking efficiency.

Don't forget to put a little anti-squeel past on the back of each pad, a little high temp brake grease on the edge of the brake pad backing plate, and a little high temp brake grease on the spot were the retaining pins touch the anti-rattle clips (if your application has them). Wire brush the hub before you install the new rotors. Buildup on the hub can lead to warped rotors.

GregS
'84 300D, 173k
'90 300CE, 161k

[GregS]

P.S., and don't forget to use a torque wrench when you install your wheels. Improper torque also leads to warped rotors. Check your manual, but aluminum wheels generally are torqued to around 75 ft/lb.

Greg

[csnow]

Like Greg said.

I read somewhere that the intent is to heat the rotors evenly to a certain temp range, which in turn changes the structural properties of the metal, and somehow helps the rotors to resist warping when they encounter their first hot panic stop.

Best of luck.

[bluestripe67]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice. I'm anal about the use of a torque wrench.