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Ferodo Brake Pad FAQS
 WHY
DO MY BRAKES SQUEAL?
Brake squeal is simply a high frequency vibration between the brake pads and
rotors, the energy created from this is heard in the form of sound waves.
Typically, this situation is usually encountered during low to mid energy
applications of the brake. It can be caused by a number of factors;
- Glazed pads or rotors (often caused by
aerosol brake cleaners)
- Inadequate piston retraction within the
caliper causing brake drag (old
seals).
- Miss-aligned caliper (or bracket, as found
on single action calipers)
- Single Action calipers with bent [floating]
pins or inadequate lubrication
of the pins, not allowing the caliper to properly float.
- Brake rotors with excessive run-out.
- Pads backplates warped (often the culprit
for spongy levers too…)
- Bound up (or bent) forks or miss-aligned
wheel centering causing the
forks to bind, putting excessive pressure on the caliper and/or rotor. If
involved in a front end crash, good idea to check run-out on axle too.
- Buildup of road grime and brake dust on the
piston seal area effecting
proper piston retraction. When’s the last time the calipers were rebuilt?
Racers should do that annually.
- Flush the brake fluid thoroughly at least
once a year, more often in humid
climates or if used in severe conditions…it’s cheap insurance! Old
contaminated fluid diminishes the overall performance potential of the
brake system and can lead to more expensive problems.
 THERE
ARE SO MANY COMPOUNDS, WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR ME?
There's tremendous variety in pad materials due to continual R&D and the
specialization of motorcycling environments and conditions. Brake pad
requirements at the Blackwater Enduro (a mud fest) are significantly different
than what the custom Harley rider is looking for and dramatically different from
the parameters of World Superbike. Check out our section on brake pads for a
description of materials and their intended usage.
CAN I USE "RACE COMPOUNDS" ON
THE STREET?
In most cases, a conditional yes. All our race pads can be used on the street by
experienced, knowledgeable and highly skilled riders. Since race compounds are
specifically designed for use in extreme conditions, their main advantage is
higher torque values and improved fade resistance. But this can typically only
be fully realized in conditions where high thermal and inertial loads are
encountered (meaning: when you're really working your brakes hard and really
need them to work...). Ferodo race pads are manufactured in short run production
batches. Combined with a nonstop R&D effort to improve their performance
characteristics means they're generally more expensive.
WHAT DOES "BEDDING-IN" PADS
REALLY MEAN?
Much like a new set of pistons and rings in a freshly bored cylinder, these
moving parts need to mate to function properly. Looking at the ground surface of
new pads and rotors [new or used] under magnification, the surface looks like a
bunch of hills and valleys. Until these parts are mated, only the peaks are
making contact. If you try to use the brakes hard before they bed-in, you run
the risk of over-heating and carbonizing the surface of the pad. This means
performance will suffer dramatically and a glazed surface will likely
result...you'll probably hear your brakes complaining via a loud annoying brake
squeal. Before installing new pads, clean the brake rotors by using medium grit
sandpaper on the pad track followed by wiping them down with a clean rag and
acetone or denatured alcohol. Allow some time to bed-in your new brake pads by
following the manufacturer brake pad recommendations and you'll find they'll
work much better.
Sintered
and Organic Brake Pad Compounds Explained
Reducing
Brake Pad Fade |
