Breaking in Brake Pads

Comments by Sam Strano

Okay, here's the procedure, and it's the best (only, really) way I've found for MetalMasters to work right is the following. And BTW, I didn't come up with this, ITM did. They were the sole importer of Repco's until Beck-Arnley started bringing them in too. Trust me, this works and it's not hard to do.

1. Accelerate car to approx. 35 mph.
2. Apply brakes using light to moderate effort to reduce speed to approx. 5 mph (DO NOT stop, if possible).
3. Repeat 1 & 2 at least 10 times allowing 1/3 mile between cycles.

Allow pads to cool.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES DRIVE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKE CONTINUALLY APPLIED AS A BREAK-IN PROCEDURE BECAUSE:

• Excessive heat will be generated.
• Resins will be burnt.
• Loss of braking could occur.

If the pads aren't broken in properly, the pads will not work right!!!!! They will be lousy when cold, make noise and dust like hell. If they are done right they work great, I saw .95g (G-analyst) stops on Sunday's autocross with Repco's and Kumho tires and stock brakes, on a slicker lot than normal too. That's in a 15 year old 280ZXT that weighs 2880 pounds.