New rotors/pads feel soft

[brown9999]

Just had new Brembo rotors (blanks) and Pagid OEM pads installed on all 4's and the brakes feel 'soft', meaning that I have to push the pedal down further to get the same amount of braking. Is this normal, or do I need the mechanic to make some adjustments?

[Estoril4dr]

I'm feeling the same thing after installing a BBK. Gonna try doing a rebleed. In your case I'd guess the the pad hasnt bonded with the rotors yet?

[Rob Levinson]

1) New pads (even with the OE setup) will always feel soft until bedded in.

2) If softness continues, re-bleed.

3) If softness persists after re-bleeding, check rotors for excessive run-out which can cause pad knock-back, which creates a soft pedal.

[brown9999]

Thanks... but, what's excessive run-out. (BTW: I love my UUC SSK!)

[JamesM3M5]

Thanks... but, what's excessive run-out. (BTW: I love my UUC SSK!)
Hard to explain, but it could be warped. The term 'runout' refers to measuring the amount that a shaft is out of round (eccentric) or a plate such as a brake rotor is not as flat as it should be. You measure disc runout with a dial indicator perpendicular to the brake rotor friction surface. Spin the rotor, and watch the dial gauge rise and fall. More than a certain spec is too much. Ideal is of course, zero. But due to machining equipment tolerances, setup tolerances, and such, manufacturers spec a maximum range in which the part must fall. Those outside the range are tossed. You can feel disc runout greater than 0.006" in a good brake system.

[Rob Levinson]

^^^ Yep, that's it.

- Rob

[dinans3m3]

sorry to jack ur thread Brown9999, but Rob how are the new Wilwoods compared to the previous UUC BBK?

[Rob Levinson]

sorry to jack ur thread Brown9999, but Rob how are the new Wilwoods compared to the previous UUC BBK?

Quite exceptional, really. We started working with these in response to our greater involvement with track-dedicated and true race cars (including the new UUC Racing Team). While the SSBC-based kit was nice and a great bargain compared to other brands, the one weak point was the very sparse availability of track/race pads.

With Wilwood, we've got access to every track/race pad under the sun - literally anything, if a track/race compound exists, then you can get it for the Wilwoods... and often at a shockingly low price. Pad details here:
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/PBC/pads.htm

What we've also been able to accomplish with Wilwood is delivering a setup that has all of the strengths of the traditional "BBK" without any of the negatives. The front-only Dynalite setup is biased perfectly to work with the original rear brakes, yet has much greater heat absorption and dissipation capability thanks to the thicker 2-piece rotor and caliper construction.

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/PBC/images/Wilwood_mounted3_small.jpg

We also have more rotor options... plain or slotted for track use, cross-drilled or cross-drilled and slotted for the appearance factor:

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/PBC/images/rotor_samples.jpg

Also critical for a track/street car, there is actually a weight decrease compared to the OE brakes (and they are certainly a lot lighter than other aftermarket BBKs). This is mostly thanks to the forged aluminum caliper construction, in contrast to most other brands' simple casting which requires a physically large caliper body to recover the assembly strength. Weight reduction details here:
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/PBC/weight.htm

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/PBC/redfdl_500_small4.jpg

Yet another nice feature that is important to both track and street cars is the fitment; unlike virtually every other BBK out there, our Wilwoods do not require any wheel spacers - that means no new issues with fender rubbing or negative handling characteristics. They fit under the narrow 7.5" wide M Contour wheels perfectly:

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/PBC/images/wilwood_Mcontour2_small.jpg

Of course, there's the most obvious feature; they are an unbeatable bargain at under $1400, which includes a 4-wheel stainless steel brake line set (all 6 lines in the E36 M3 fitment). Watch for package deals in the very near future where we offer matching rear OE-size rotors and pads at a great price.

Our website has a lot more detail and some very interesting info and comparisons:

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/PBC

[dinans3m3]

thanks for the info Rob. Keep up the good work :buttrock

[mobil1]

I noticed a "soft" feel as well after bedding my pads in, but only for a little while.

I would say it sounds like you need a rebleed, but unless you messed with any of the lines then I think its more of a pad/rotor issue.

Would you say it is a huge difference in pedal feel? Or just a slight amount?

[brown9999]

I'd say it was a big difference on the first day, less of a difference 2 days later. Either I'm getting used to it, or they bonded/bedded.

[vego99]

One of my biggest complaints with the m3 braking system. I have come to the conclusion that pad compound has something to do with it as well. When i used stock bmw pads, pedal feels hard no problems. Switched to a hawk hps pad and pedal feels mushy but once heated pedal gets stiffer. Also occurs more dramaticly when i switch to my race pads but thats a different scenerio.

-e