Brake problems (VERY LONG) [Archive] - SR20 Forum

: Brake problems (VERY LONG)


spicez
08-13-2002, 10:51 AM
Im a noob when it comes to working on cars, so please bear with me.

I have a B15 Sentra SE.
I bought Hawk HP+ pads
Motul 600 brake oil (later replaced with Ford HD brake oil)

After 5 full lapping days, about about 20-25 lapping sessions of 20minutes.
My Hawk pads and rear OEM's where toast.

I replaced them myself last friday, put back the front OEM's (still have lots of meat.)
And put some Normal Metal MAsters in the rear (brand new which I bought a few months ago)

I forgot to re-tighten my bleeder valves , tightenend by hand.

I did not have the time to re-tighten them, so I checked every day all weekend to make sure
no oil was leaking, and tehre was no oil.

Braking power is reduced, but I attributed this to my OEM pads :(

I drove around allot all weekend, went to the country with 4 people in the car (lots of weight)
and did do "some" hard braking, but nothing major.

SO, last night I go to the track, fully knowing my brakes where maybe not optimal
I figured a 20$ session is worth it, to see exactly where its at !!!

After 2 slow laps and 2 HARD LAPS, rear brakes start smoking like crazy.
I get off the track, we inspect, seems to be the pads. No oil smell, still no oil
nowhere, pedal feel is harder than ever, not mushier.

I go back on track, to test out a little, and at the end of the first lap, the rear end is slightly dragging. I get off, and proceeded to drive around for about 10 minutes to cool down my pads.

It seems to be like my rear pads never got a proper brake in (my fault), but I just want to be sure,
thats all I have to worrie about. There was LOTS OF SMOKE, and they where about to stick to the disc's.
But now its ok.

What should I look for (when I remove the pads to inspect), should I worrie, was it glazing ?
Thanks for any input.

Chris

P.S. The HAWK HP+ and (Motul or Ford oil) combo has been GREAT on the track. Brakes HARD and lasts for 30minute session with no fading. Also Lasted me a total of 4 months (which included all the events mentionned about).

For the abuse I gave them, I would think that is a great life expectancy for my pads !

Also, the track I tested on is a VERY technical track, lots of hard braking, so it doesnt take time to notice all the brake flaws :D

Oh and there is now chicane in the middle of that long right hand straight.

http://www.autodrome-st-eustache.com/fr/images/presentation/aerien4p.jpg

Slartibartfast
08-13-2002, 11:31 AM
Sounds like you worked the brakes pretty hard and the rears are now bedded in. That's why your pedal feels better. The front pads would have done the same if they were new.

spicez
08-13-2002, 11:47 PM
Thats what Im inclined to think also. I'll check them anyways on friday.

Someone else suggested that I might be over working the rears because my front ones arent braking as my HAWKs where....

In any case, I'll keep the rears like that, and Im ordering some HAWK hp plus's again, because the stockers are in no way good enough for the abuse I give them on the track.

Thanks for the reply!