Just installed Hawk HPS Pads, SS Lines, and new takeoff rotors. I have bedded the pads per Hawk instructions. The brakes feel very soft until I get some heat in the rotors. It almost feels as if I got a soft pedal. Did anybody else who installed these pads have the same problem?

THX

 

My understanding of higher performance pads are that heat will make them more efficient. I'm getting mine installed on Wednesday, we'll see how they feel. It sounds like you did the bedding process, you may want to try it again just to see if it helps. Good luck!

Burnishing Instructions

1. After installing new brake pads, make 6 to 10 stops from approximately 30-35 mph applying moderate pressure.
2. Make an additional 2 to 3 hard stops from approximately 40 to 45 mph.
3. DO NOT DRAG BRAKES!
4. Allow 15 minutes for brake system to cool down.
5. After step 4 your new pads are ready for use.

 

What ^ he said. The typical tradeoff in brake pads is temperature ranges. Non-performance pads work well in cold to moderately hot pad surface temps, but if they start to get hot from prolonged use (track time) they will disappear on you.

The higher performance-pad you go, the less the pad works at it's best when cold, but it also won't fade on you when it gets hot.

Give the pads some time though, they'll get better.

On the other hand, if you have a soft pedal and you have SS lines, you may have air in your lines....

 

I'd make sure you don't have any air hiding in those lines.

 

Bleed to brakes- there's air in the lines. Even a cold race pad will NOT feel squishy or soft during warm up.

 

I have a similar sensation after installing PowerSlot Rotors with the recommended HAWK Street Performance Pads. With normal braking the brake feel is the same as the OEM system but when I hit the brakes hard the system works very well, much better than the stock Ford system.

 

+1 Poldrv. I just had some Baer decarotors installed with some Hawk HPS pads and thought that they were the same as stock at typical braking. But when I got on the brakes hard (after bedding them in) they were definitely an improvement over stock. Too bad the mechanic f'ed me on the install bill...but that's another story.

 

I have a set of hawk hps pads on my SVt focus and they do need alittle heat in them. They feel almost slick at the start. I matched them with a set of slotted dimpled rotors.

 

The you guys aren't bedding the pads well. I use HPS's exclusively on my street and autox cars, and have zero issue with lack of cold bite.

 

Ok, can I try and bed the pads again? What must you do before retrying? I did the bedding per the HPS instructions. 6 full brake applications from 35mph, then the last two from 45 mph. Then let the brakes cool. These were all full stop application, without slipping the brakes. I am going to bleed the brakes again, and try that. Should I see about resurfacing the rotors?

Thanks Again

 

would I want to use the pc or the hps's for normal everyday driving? The pc's?

 

I carry both, there are currently Ceramics on my '07 now. I much prefer HPS's.

 

Since you didn't install the pads on new rotors- it will take longer for them to 'mate'. Even take-off rotors aren't completely flat.

BTW, are you sure that the pads didn't have any fluid on them? I;m not accusing you, but it happens more often than you think. Never spray ANYTHING on the pads.

 

Thanks