new brake pad question

[viva_che1363]

so i replaced the brake pads on my explorer yesterday, and i took it out for a quick drive to make sure everything was functioning alright. everything went good and the brakes felt smooth, but when i made a semi hard stop it feels like the brakes are slipping or shuddering. im just curious is this normal,( breaking them in) or something that i have to worry about.

[snowpack]

did you do anything to the rotors? (i.e. turn them or check the run out)

[viva_che1363]

i left the rotors as is, my wife dropped it off a few weeks ago as les swab to get new tires and they told her the pands needed to be replaced, but that the rotors were fine. so i just left them alone.

[snowpack]

Sounds a little normal, new pads wearing off the angle and glaze to get full contact.  Sometimes if rotors are a little uneven you'll get shaking.  think it takes a little driving to get it tuned in.

[viva_che1363]

thats what i figured, it would take a little time to get everything back to normal, i just wanted to make sure i didnt have a serious problem.

[philepe]

If they said rotors are ok that just means they are still thick enough to safely be used.  Without turning/machining the rotors the pads will take awhile to seat in.  If its rear brakes you can get away with not machining and be ok, but front rotors your braking power will be terrible for maybe 50 miles IIRC.  Never hurts to double check the work and verify everything is ok, but its probably just because the pads aren't seated yet.

[coachcw]

So going back into the 1990 gm and other manufactor quit turning rotors when changing pads only we found that even turned rotors didn't have the contact area with new pads due to the ridges left from machining , my rule of thumb is to use metallic pads when not replacing the rotors, Ceramics can take a while to breakin and at times they will cause warpage. I found the napa adaptive one pads to be one of the best aftermarket pads out there . once new pads are installed take it for a drive make some stops from 30 and 40 down to about 15 mph keeping some of the heat out after ten or so hard slow downs then make a few stops down to zero. yo may find at some point during that period the you will not have good braking . I try and tell people to take it easy for 100-150 miles . good luck on your new set of pads.