Bedding in Mazda pads

[Simbu]

Hi guys,

My genuine Mazda front brake pads have arrived (thanks MX5Parts!) and i'll be fitting them to my mk2 tomorrow. I've read about various bedding-in procedures for the Axxis / EBC pads and they all seem to differ! Is there a particular bedding in approach to take with the standard Mazda pads?

Cheers,

Simon

[MX-5 Lazza]

Fit 'em. Use 'em.

Just be aware that they might not feel good for a little while. Some say 200 miles or so but it never takes that long on my car, possibly because of the sorts of roads I drive on (i.e. a lot of braking).

[Simbu]

Cheers Lazza, i won't read too much into the need to bed them properly then! I'll probably just take the car for a bit of a spirited drive to make sure everything's working correctly.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Track pads (yellow-stuff, Axxis etc.) need a proper bedding in process but Mazda pads are pretty much fit & forget.

[skinny]

probably wouldn't hurt them to do a full bed in procedure tho right? then they're all set and ready to go by next morning rather than you being cautious for a week and wondering when they are totally ready...?

[DocJock]

It's discs that you need to be careful with heat cycling when new. Modern pads are nearly all pre-heat-treated before sale.

As Lazza said, OE pads are plug'n'play and even track pads need minimal bedding, (certainly not hundreds of miles!) a few hard stops from 70-30 over a couple of minutes is sufficient.

[Mazdamender]

Which ever sets you fit you do need to do a bedding in period,with the mazda pads like Lazza as said 200>400 miles of slow braking will do the job,a little less if new discs are fitted at the same time,most owners fit pads on old discs that are not flat,so the bedding in helps the pads to fit the shape of the discs.
I recommend bedding in
M-m

[LukeBird]

I did 100 miles of reasonably light use on my new pads (no discs) and they seem fine now (5k or so later).
I think I would only be really careful bedding in track compound pads.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Manufacturer pads are made to be used by everyone. Do you really think disabled 80 year old Mrs Miggins is going to go through a bedding in process when she gets new pads on her car?

[Simbu]

Thanks everyone for the replies - as you can see it's a contentious topic which is why i asked!

I think i'll take the car out and go through through a few braking cycles, perhaps even to put my own mind at rest. Whether it makes a significant difference or not is open to debate i suppose.

The pads are going onto old discs, which while have some corrosion away from the contact area seem in decent enough condition otherwise.

So, one last question - when i go out to try them out... harsh braking or gentle braking cycles?!

I'm aware of not wanting to come to a complete stop during this exercise.

Cheers,

Simon

[DocJock]

I have many times changed pads during a trackday (my Impreza is much heavier than my MX5, a set of fronts can go in half a day when using slicks if it's hot), either to replace dead ones or when doing comparison tests.

After a couple of corners you would not be able to tell they were new pads, feel and stopping are normal.

[chrisg330d]

What is the advice I'd fitting new discs as well then please?

[mmaatt25]

Having replaced your brake pads the first thing to do is pump the pedal a few times begore you go any where, it'll probably take a couple of pumps. You may laugh but plenty of people have forgotten to do this!!

Having taken your car out the first thing you'll notice as you apply the brakes for the first time is how wooden they feel(very little braking effort)and a lack of bite, this is because the pads have not bedded in.
Gently brake from 40mph-ish, but dont brake to a stop. You'll notice the the brakes improve quite quickly, it only takes four or five times. After this avoid heavy braking in all circumstances other than an emergency for approx 100 miles of normal urban/A road driving (motorway obviously longer).

This process applies to pad only change and disc and pad change.

There are more processes happening when you brake than you'd think, if your bored there's plenty of info on the net http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_bedintheory.s...

Hope this helps

Matt