New brakes...working OK?

[virgil]

Just replaced all the disks and pads on my Focus ST. Work well, can lock the wheels, but doesn't don't have that instant (throw you through the windscreen at the slightest touch) bite that new cars have.

When I cleaned the front disks I used meths (as per my workshop book). There was a lot of smoke (and smell) when I took the car for a spin. I then did the back disks and cleaned them with meths, but then with petrol and brake cleaner. The petrol got a LOT more (grease?) off the disks than the meths did and the brake cleaner none more than the petrol.

Have I knackered the front pads by infusing them with packing gunk? Does it burn off? can I clean them (properly?) Or am I best replacing them with new pads and re-cleaning the disks?

Car stops OK, but does not 'bite' like I thought it would.

TIA

[roscozs]

Brakes take a few miles to bed in. see what they are like after 500 miles.

[virgil]

roscozs said:

Brakes take a few miles to bed in. see what they are like after 500 miles.

New pads on old disks, Yeah. But new pads AND disks?

Brand new cars (had one, driven a few) don't need 'bedding in' to work properly...they 'grab' like a bugger from day one....

[balders118]

I'd agree with the above. Even though you've put new disc on as well as new pads there will still be a bedding in process before they bite like they should. The feeling you say you're experiencing (decent stopping power, but lack of "bite") is exactly what you would get if your brakes haven't bedded in.