Hot brakes.

[alan1304]

Hi Guys.
Just a quick one. I changed the front brake pads on my W202 last weekend, checked everything, lubricated what needed lubricating and put it all back together. Everything went fine, brakes are spot on, no dragging, sticking or pulling to one side, no brake grabbing or fading but they are getting hot.
Is this normal?
By the way.... if it helps, the pads are Eicher from Euro Car Parts.

 

[DSM10000]

What do you mean by they are "getting hot" Brakes work by friction and friction generates heat.

 

[markjay]

...Everything went fine, brakes are spot on, no dragging, sticking or pulling to one side, no brake grabbing or fading but they are getting hot.
Is this normal?...

Brakes work by converting much of the kinetic energy to heat, which is then transferred into the air thorough heat dissipation.

If they get too hot, you will experience brake fade as the brake fluid reached its boiling point. If the brakes don't fade, heat is not an issue.

You can also buy an IR thermometer and check the disc temperature on both sides is roughly the same, if this will put your mind at ease.

 

[Giantvanman]

Are you having to brake harder to slow because the new pads aren't bedded in yet?

 

[alan1304]

Believe it or not you have all put my mind at rest. I am not having to brake any harder, there is no brake fade, it's just that if I drive for about 10 miles around town, when I stop it smells as if the brakes are burning, but I can keep my finger on the steel wheel. Although the wheel is hot I can keep my finger on it, so as you say, perhaps it's just the brakes bedding in.

 

[rifiki]

It sounds like a sticking piston in the caliper.

 

[Giantvanman]

no dragging, sticking

It sounds like a sticking piston in the caliper.

Not from what the OP describes checking for.

 

[def90cars]

They sound fine. Are the discs of a nice thickness... might cause them to heat quicker??

I think you are fine though.

 

[alan1304]

Thanks def90cars. The discs are nice and thick. I bought the car just over 3 years ago, and the previous owner changed the discs just before I bought it.

 

[Tim203]

I agree with rifiki, you only need the slightest rub on brakes for them to warm up. Sounds like a classic case of pistons been out for a while on low pads, got a little corroded or dirty and taken it into the caliper body when they were pushed back to accommodate the fresh pads.I would be inclined to take em off again pump the pistons out a bit and check it's all clean.

 

[Auto-mobile]

Brakes get hot, so hot that you can fry eggs on them, I don't know why people keep saying the caliper is seized.

 

[alan1304]

Again guys, thanks for your input. I did check for seal leaks and condition of the dust covers when I had the calipers off and everything was fine. The more I drive the car the less obvious the problem is. I really now think it's just a case of new pads on thick discs just bedding themselves in.

 

[grober]

A rough and ready test for binding brakes is to take your car to slight incline facing downhill. With the car in neutral but engine running [ steering lock released] release the brakes and see if the vehicle starts to roll downhill and gradually gain speed . If the brakes are binding badly the car wont move.

 

[whitenemesis]

How about braking gently to a stop, on a flat road/car park, hands off the steering wheel. As the car slows it will turn in the direction of the binding brake. Conversely of course it will turn away from a brake that's binding off?

 

[renault12ts]

It sounds like a sticking piston in the caliper.

No, it doesn't. I t smells like the new paint on the pads when they get hot. I too experienced this recently with the same pads.

Drive it, relax.

 

[renault12ts]

I agree with rifiki, you only need the slightest rub on brakes for them to warm up. Sounds like a classic case of pistons been out for a while on low pads, got a little corroded or dirty and taken it into the caliper body when they were pushed back to accommodate the fresh pads.I would be inclined to take em off again pump the pistons out a bit and check it's all clean.

I challenge you not to burn your fingers on any brakes after 10 miles of driving...all brakes get hot. To see if they are excessively hot you need an infra red thermometer.

 

[renault12ts]

How about braking gently to a stop, on a flat road/car park, hands off the steering wheel. As the car slows it will turn in the direction of the binding brake. Conversely of course it will turn away from a brake that's binding off?

Or, Peter, it's a Merc...it will steer to the left.

 

[alan1304]

Thanks Grober, did that test as I live on a slight incline anyway and she rolled away quite happily.

 

[alan1304]

How about braking gently to a stop, on a flat road/car park, hands off the steering wheel. As the car slows it will turn in the direction of the binding brake. Conversely of course it will turn away from a brake that's binding off?

Did that whitenemesis. Stayed straight as an arrow with brakes on and off.

 

[alan1304]

Ok guys. I've marked this thread as solved as the smell seems to have gone now and I've done all the tests you suggested and the car has passed with flying colours.
Once again, thanks to everyone.