New brakes - BEFORE or AFTER trackday?

[millband]

Hi, just spent about 25% of the value of my Clio getting it serviced (ouch). Been told the pads are about 80% worn all round and need replacing soon too.

However, I'm thinking of going to Croft for a half-day track session on the 20th Oct. I was just wondering if it'd be best to keep my pads and write them off at this session, or buy new now and have them bedded in by the 20th?

Will old brakes wilt? Or will I cook new ones and wreck them? I'm pretty light on brakes on the road and can probably make 80% worn pads last several 1000 miles safely. After spending £960 on a service and belts I could do with saving a few quid...

I'm pretty green at track sessions - half-day at Brands in an Impreza some years ago and a half-day at Croft in a Smart Roadster earlier this year. Did no visible wear to brakes or tyres on either session so I think I'm easy on my cars (or slow, depending how you look at it!). Croft will be 3 x 20min sessions.

Cheers,

Steve

[Bellly]

new pads before and change the fluid for a race fluid [Dot 6]would even consider some harder race pads!

Otherwise your car may not last the day!

[millband]

Cheers, but I think you might push a bit harder than I do! Never even experienced brake fade previously with standard fluid and pads so I won't be upgrading the fluid or pads above normal for this.

How're your pads at the end of a session, do they wear much?

Ta,

Steve

[clubsport]

With less meat on the pads, there is more chance of heat transfer from the dics to the brake fluid, you have much more chance of brake fade from fluid and/or pads over heating....Brakes are not an area to scrimp on, especially if you are driving on a track where you are pushing the car more than on the road, even if you are taking it easy

[Bellly]

Its not really the wear that causes the problem if your doing 20 minutes sessions, but about temperature and potential brake fade. There are not too many road cars that can do 20 minutes on track if pushed hard.
If you can get away with using the same pads and fluid then great, save your money and spend it on some good instruction it will be far better value.
Have fun!

[LocoBlade]

Why not buy the pads before the trackday and have tools ready to fit them yourself if you have a problem?

[millband]

LocoBlade said:

Why not buy the pads before the trackday and have tools ready to fit them yourself if you have a problem?

'cos I'm useless

[millband]

clubsport, bellly - thanks for the advice, I see what you're saying. So - new pads ASAP, bed them in, then try not to set them on fire at Croft

I won't be taking it EASY by the way, that'd miss the point. I was just trying to say that I've managed to finish sessions without too much damage in the past.

Edited by millband on Monday 24th September 22:34

[GreenV8S]

I agree, fit them before the track day and bed them in properly according to the manufacturers' instructions (NOT just 'driving gently' for a bit!). It's a good idea to have a spare set of pads and a sealed bottle of DOT5.1 with you if you're tracking it, just in case you knacker the ones that are fitted (brakes can disintegrate in minutes if overheated). Even if you don't fancy fitting them yourself you can always find somebody to fit them but getting hold of the parts at short notice can be a pain.

[millband]

Thanks again.

For me, going on track is an exciting luxury rather than the main reason for the car, hence my economical approach! This'll be the only time I'm going to track this car. I'll probably sell it on early in the new year so I don't want to buy parts I won't use.

I've not experienced brakes falling apart like you say but I did see a guy with a Civic Type R at the last Croft session who had trashed his brakes. How can you spot damage before you've pushed them too far? I've had a little fade on mountain passes before without any long term damage. Can you write off your brakes on one late corner, or would you feel increased fade over several corners and have a chance to back off before it's too late?

[Agent Orange]

Over half worn ur pads just wont dissipate the heat well , combined with ordinary fluid if the heat is building up u wont get much of a second chance , pumping might get u out of trouble once .......predictably u ll then go in take some time to let them cool down , return to the circuit and see them off in less than 2/3 laps more .............all the time ur doing wonders for ur discs
Any type of track driving /BRAKING passes totally different stresses through ur car and should nt be compared , i hope , to anything u do on the road................get it wrong and u wont have a car to sell ...........how much can a set of pads and some high temp brake fluid cost ??

[handpaper]

Checking GSF's website, I see that the most expensive pads are £42 - and that's EBC Greenstuff for the Clio 172. OEM grade pads are all £20 or less.
You're going to have spent twice that much on the trackday entry, and probably will spend the same again on petrol on the day - for the sake of a few quid, why risk it?

Those of us who track regularly consider brake pads as consumables

[millband]

Cheers again. I'm committed now to replacing the pads well before the day. I'd not considered upgraded pads but seeing as a full set front/rear is about £50 more than an OEM set that's on the list.

The fluid has just been replaced as part of the service so that'll stay as-is.

Steve

[shim]

def before

i cocked up and screwed my discs last track day at bedford as the pad that was left disappeared without a trace very quickly. Last 1/3 of the pad does not realy last very long as the material is to thin and heat builds up more (especially if road pads)

not really worth the risk. You could always ask for teb old pads back if you are realy hard up ad refit them for the road where you will have more warning of pads going