Glazed Brakes

[noone]

I went to Wakefield with my Polo GTI yesterday, Fun.

The brakes are now very noisy and I have some vibration in the steering when braking.


Pads look fine, all looks normal.

I believe the Pads are glazed (they're stock) and I'm wondering if I need to do anything to resolve this or if with normal use they will come good in the next few 100 kms.

[Manaz]

Take them out and rub the friction surface across some rough concrete - that'll clear the glazing.

[h100vw]

Take them out and rub the friction surface across some rough concrete - that'll clear the glazing.

That's exactly what I was thinking!!

Or if you have a flat piece of wood and some sand paper you could use that.

Gavin

[Ozram]

You may have also warped your brake discs, hence the vibration. Depending on how worn they are you may need to get them machined. I would recommend new pads if you have to machine them, best to put new with new.

[noone]

The wobble seems to have gone already, but the noise is taking its time to fade.

Will using the glazed pads have any negative effect on the disks?

Guess I could learn how to take the pads out... On the side of the street...

[Stuwey]

The (i presume squeal) will go away by time you fill up with fuel next. Couple of hundred kms will usually see that fixed.

Vibration? It might appear better when cold, but get 'em warm again and they'll keep doing it. Once you've warped a set of discs, the ONLY real fix is to throw them away and replace them. Infact, get your ones cryogenically frozen (hardened). I've done this with my new ones and so far very happy with the result. They wear much better and won't warp as easily.

I suggest that if you're gonna participate in motorsport, you better have VERY deep pockets and/or learn to work on your car yourself.

[seangti]

don't stress yet mate. Give it a few days (100kms) of suburban driving and see how they go.

My Subaru used to be awful after a trackday (wooden pedal feel), though came back after a few days. Not sure if having slotted rotors help with wearing the glaze off the pads. otherwise do what the other guys have suggested.

I haven't experienced the wobble post track day (DBA rotors on the subaru and all stock on the polo)... so yeah you may have warped one of em. doh.

Out of curiousity, what pads are you running?

[noone]

Thanks for the feedback.

I've read the wobble is a symptom of the Glazed brakes. If not, guess I'm upgrading!!!

The pads and disks are stock. Think the pads are Ferodo's (but very soft).

[seangti]

The pads and disks are stock. Think the pads are Ferodo's (but very soft).

Yup, stock polo are ferodo. I've done two track days on mine and they've been fine (though my car is stock). I'd imagine it's just glazing.

[gslrallysport]

Don't get too worried about who makes the OEM as generally OEM pads are nothing like anything available aftermarket from the same manufacturer.

OEM pads have one job, and one job only: To not make a single noise what so ever during the test drive!

Service life, rotor wear, high temperature performance, dust etc. all have very little (if any) bearing on an OEM pad's properties.

Take them out and rub the friction surface across some rough concrete - that'll clear the glazing.

Quoted for truth!