Have brand new rotors from power stop, drilled and slotted. Is there a way to properly break them in? I ran into a issue last month and power stopped offered to replace them no charge for me. Now before I have them installed, just make to make sure that they are correctly broken into. thanks.

 

Most people will say something like "light braking for first 200mls".

Others will say:

1. Get up to 60mph on an open road and when safe to do so, brake hard down to 30mph;

2. Repeat 6 times, then drive gently to allow brakes to cool off, before parking up.


I've tried this method on a number of different cars and they suffered no ill effects and all braked really well throughout their time with me.


As an aside: NEVER, EVER brake hard to a stop and hold your brakes on, this will have a bad effect on the discs. Once you have come to a halt release the footbrake and apply the handbrake.

 

That's exactly what I have done for way toooooo many years.

The sitting with an auto after a hard stop really can cause heat spots on rotors, so out of "D" and handbrake on is a good habit. Normal traffic driving should be OK, but hard, hot stops really does heat those items seriously.

 

Actually on an S-type, that will cause the rear pads to grab the rotor and potentially develop the very problems you're trying to avoid.

 

I thought so too but I suppose it's the fronts that are probably hottest and about which you care most. At least the handbrake only applies the rear pads. About all you could do instead would be to coast to a halt and shift to Park - not so easy.

On the STR there are separate handbrake (EPB) pads so I suppose on the STR applying the EPB is an option.

I struggle to think of occasions when I'd have really hot brakes and come to a sudden stop, though. I can't swear it's never happened, but nor can I recall such an occasion.

 

Forget the handbrake, assuming it's an auto which most S-types, just put it in Park.

 

And also applies the EPB on 2002.5 and up S-types............. (I am in error, see below)

The most common procedure for pad break-in is the high speed 'emergency slowdown' which involves releasing brakes before achieving a full stop, followed by a cool down period and another emergency slowdown, repeated as necessary.

Once pads are bedded in, there's a greatly reduced chance of pad material transfer from emergency stops, but there's not much alternative.

 

Not on mine. It only auto-applies if you switch off and remove the key (and don't hold the paddle down).

 

I think you'll find that none of them do that. Easy check: try it. When applied it puts the BRAKE light on the dash and also if you have the windows down you hear it as it applies (well, if not much traffic!).

 

OOoops, you're right. I was just out in the car and it works as you've described it. Don't know what I was thinking............

 

Good to know. Thanks.