jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Hey guys, when I bought my 05 TL, the previous owner had installed these brake pads (EBC Redstuff Ceramic ). I wanna say they've been on the car about 3-4 months now... I've owned the vehicle for less than a month and have only driven 500+ miles.

Sometimes when I use the brakes, I hear a squeaking noise (like the one the hear from crappy cars that need their brakes replaced). Is this something that needs to be checked out? Or have they just not been "broken" into?

TeknoKing

After 500 miles they are definitely broken in, the question is were they broke in right?

Now, you need to inspect your rotors, looks for any abnormalities, they are suppose to be smooth without grinding marks (circles through out the rotor).

Which brake squeak? front? rear? How is the pads life?

TeknoKing

I forgot to mention, Red EBC do require at least 1,000 miles for break in.. And they are pretty harsh on rotors, especially if you have stock rotors.

I ran EBC green for two years, and they always had some squeak, but the braking power is unreal.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

No grooves in the rotors. Nothing looks "abnormal" to me. I'm pretty sure its the front breaks that squeak... and it doesn't happen everytime either. Usually, I can hear it when I brake softly ie. coming to a red light.

Would you recommend new pads? How "bad" are they for my stock rotors?

TeknoKing

Well, EBC are known to chew up the rotors, they are harsher than oem pads...

Since they don't squeak all the time, it's probably dust that's causing the noise.

Before you go for new pads, I would do a bed-in procedure, it may help even out the pads...

1.
From a speed of about 60mph, gently apply the brakes a couple of times to bring them up to operating temperature. This prevents you from thermally shocking the rotors and pads in the next steps.

2.
Make a series of eight near-stops from 60 to about 10 mph. Do it HARD by pressing on the brakes firmly, just shy of locking the wheels or engaging ABS. At the end of each slowdown, immediately accelerate back to 60mph. DO NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP! If you stop completely and sit for any length of time with your foot on the brake pedal, you will imprint pad material onto the hot rotors, which can lead to vibration, uneven braking, and could even ruin the rotors. With some less aggressive street pads, you may need fewer than eight near-stops. If your pedal gets soft or you feel the brakes going away, then you've done enough. Proceed to the next step.

3.
The brakes may begin to fade slightly after the 7th or 8th near-stop. This fade will stabilize, but not completely go away until the brakes have fully cooled. A strong smell from the brakes, and even smoke, is normal.

4.
After the 8th near-stop, accelerate back up to speed and cruise for a while, using the brakes as little as possible. The brakes need 5 to 10 minutes to cool down. Try not to become trapped in traffic or come to a complete stop while the brakes are still hot.

Thorough Info:
http://www.ebcbrakes.com/troubleshooting.html

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

Here is our break in procedure:

http://heeltoeauto.com/httech/YaBB.pl?num=1184261899

It works pretty well for the Racingbrake rotors. Bedding is not a 1-time thing!

Also make sure you rinse out the brakes well when washing the car.

Marcus

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

^ Good info. I'll try to find a place to do that without the risk of getting rear-ended!

01tl4tl

Marcus- when you say to rinse out the brakes when washing the car- exactly what do you mean?- gently spray water on the rotors? or the calipers? or everything? soap??

I normally dry the brakes off after wash with a few times around the block, mostly to keep the surface rust off things.
Would that be all thats needed after your method?

Patrick of ExcelDetail shared this: 3 coats synthetic car wax on the rim, inner and outer sides- will cut way down on brake dust adhesion.
We take such care in the rest of the cars paint, yet dont think to wax the wheels!

say when

they will almost always squeak at slow stopping speeds. They are performance pads.

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

Just hose out the brakes. Everything in there. Watch all the grey crap rinse out. It's fun. Don't be afraid to shoot water right in there.

Drying is nice too but not really necessary for performance as you know.

Marcus

TeknoKing

^^^ I had a dumbass acquittance who armored all his rotors when we has taking photos of his car

Tell me if this is wrong, I usually once a month, I just use the caliper cleaner spray to clean out the system...this I would assume it's ok? Besides that I go thru car washes and drive for a few miles to dry and heat the brakes.