Smoked Brakes.......

[STEADIRIC@aol.com]

>Brake Pad Q:
>
>I may have torpedoed myself with a mistake of timing.  Last Saturday 
>I put new Repco Metal masters on the front brakes of my 1990 200, 
>(did the rears about 30 days ago) and I did drive the car for about 
>15 minutes and bed the pads in properly according to the directions 
>provided.
>
>On Sunday I worked a corner at the TX World Speedway and had 
>the chance to take some laps (during the lunch hour for the SCCA 
>group which was running).  Unfortunately, I had one low tread tire on 
>my 280ZX and they wouldn't pass it - so I decided to take a few laps 
>in the Audi, which the wife had justdriven out to the track.  
>(Surprise, honey...).  I was very pleased with the 200's handling!  
>Although I tried to go easy on the brakes, after five moderate 
>laps there was considerable brake smell.  Today the wife says the 
>front brakes are starting to wail occasionally while stopping.
>
>Question is - did I give those new pads too much heat too soon?  If 
>so, is there anything I can try to correct it (like additional 
>vigorous use, extra lube behind pad backs...) or should I replace 
>them if the noise doesn't go away?  I don't want to chuck $80 worth 
>of new pads if this (suspected) mistake is correctable.  I suspect I 
>know the answer, but I'm always open to creative thinking.
>
>Note: I need to give you complete information - the front rotors 
>were fairly new and the reason for replacing the pads was to diminish 
>the amount of dust shed by the Audi pads, so I replaced the pads ONLY. 
>The rotors were not replaced or resurfaced.  Thought this might also 
>be a factor.
>
>If the pads are damaged - what's the penalty other than possible 
>slightly reduced stopping effectiveness?  (In other words, can I be 
>reasonably safe but wait till the month turns to buy more...or are 
>the pads likely to disintegrate or something?)
>
>I welcome comments, opinions, etc.  (Always lotsa etc. around 
>here...)

Well Al I think my opinon here on the "Slagmaster's" is WELL know.....  
They suck big time, and you just found that out. The Problem that you are 
going to have now is: Less effictive brakes, More Dust, More Noise and a 
pad that you can CRUMBLE with your hands......  Not what I want on the 
front axle of a 3800lbs car.  The big Q's are underbraked as it is, 
That's why I'm developing a "Proper" set of brakes for our cars.

Your Option's are: Chuck the Pads and get some of the same and NEVER put 
your car on the track again, Get some Cool Carbons and run the hell out 
of them and live with the noise and dust, Upgrade the brakes (Hehe!) or 
go back to the stock stuff and wash the wheels more often.  Sorry Al I 
know that's not the answer's that your looking for, but it's the way that 
I see it.


Later!


Eric Fletcher
'87 5KCSTQIA2RSR2B

STEADIRIC@aol.com