Bed-In Procedure
(according to Hawk Performance)
1. After installing new brake pads, make 6 to 10 stops from approximately30-35 mph applying moderate pressure.
2. Make an additional two to three hard stops from approximately 40 to 45 mph.
3. Do not drag the brakes!
4. Allow 15 minutes for the brake system to cool down.
5. After Step 4, your new pads are ready for use.
Getting Hot
The thermal paint found on the DBA 4000 and 5000 rotors can be a handy tool for monitoring your brake temperature around the track. You'll be very surprised at the temperatures the rotors will reach when they convert the vehicle's kinetic energy into heat to reduce speed.
Green will turn white at 458-degrees C/856-degrees F.
Orange will turn yellow at 550-degrees C/1,022-degrees F.
Pink will turn white at 630-degrees C/1,166-degrees F. (Note: The melting point of aluminum is 650-degrees C/1,200-degrees F.)
The normal operation range is between 400- to 800-degrees F for street use and spirited driving. More serious applications can reach in excess of 1,000-degrees F in heavy racing. It is, however, possible to heat brakes to 1,200-degrees F. This is when rotors will start glowing and begin heat saturation. This occurs when rotors are so hot that the heat has nowhere to go, causing severe brake fade and rotor expansion.-Mark Joseph, Disc Brakes Australia
Testing
For baseline testing, we used trued stock rotors and brake pads that were still within spec to ensure that we had properly operating stock brakes. We set up an approach area where we could safely reach 60 mph, and two cones to show where to begin our stopping. Even though the stock brakes were in proper operating condition, we began to experience serious brake fade after the first hit on them, while the DBA brakes were much more consistent. Many passes and cool-down periods followed, and the best representative figures are provided below for a set of three consecutive passes.
TESTING
STOPPING DISTANCE
FROM 60 MPH |
| Pass |
Baseline |
After |
| 1 |
129 ft |
119 ft |
| 2 |
135 ft |
117 ft |
| 3 |
141 ft |
120 ft |
With the factory rotor removed...
With the factory rotor removed (left), we can see how it compares to the new DBA rotor. The company claims the slots clean the pad face, help with out-gassing, provide more even pad wear, and reduce glazing.
A clip holds the outer brake...
A clip holds the outer brake hose in place and Pete removed it with a pair of channel locks.
He placed a towel underneath...
He placed a towel underneath the hose before loosening its fitting with a 10mm line wrench. A fair amount of fluid spilled out after the first few twists.
It's always a good idea to...
It's always a good idea to make sure your brakes are squeaky clean before you install them on the car. Pete cleaned the rotor surfaces off with brake cleaner, taking care not to remove or damage the thermal paint.
He reused these rubber grommets...
He reused these rubber grommets from the factory rotors.
Pete then installed the spring-loaded...
Pete then installed the spring-loaded Hawk HPS pads with Hawks high-temperature brake parts lubricant.