Brake pad change on the day
Discussion
I have a potential trackday coming up(Bedford autodrome)and on inspection of the front pads they just under half worn. They are hawk pads, so track suitable.
My question is do people change pads at the trackday? It's a straight forward job and I have the tools, so thinking do the morning session then swap to new pads at lunch. Or do I swap before leaving?
What do others do or have done?
My question is do people change pads at the trackday? It's a straight forward job and I have the tools, so thinking do the morning session then swap to new pads at lunch. Or do I swap before leaving?
What do others do or have done?
I've changed pads on the day before, like you I knew I was going to be on the limit so the weekend before going I stripped the brakes down and greased everything that needed to be greased, made sure I had all the right tools I was going to need etc.
made sure then that on the day the job went quickly and smoothly
made sure then that on the day the job went quickly and smoothly
Wh00sher said:
I've changed them on a day before. Just make sure you have all the tools and the spare pads.
Only downside is bedding in may not be ideal. If possible, fit before lunch, bed in for a couple of laps then let them cool whilst you eat. But that's not always possible.
You've probably changed gearboxes & clutches on a track day as well - so brake pads should be doable with your eyes closed and both hands behind your back Only downside is bedding in may not be ideal. If possible, fit before lunch, bed in for a couple of laps then let them cool whilst you eat. But that's not always possible.
mmm-five said:
Wh00sher said:
I've changed them on a day before. Just make sure you have all the tools and the spare pads.
Only downside is bedding in may not be ideal. If possible, fit before lunch, bed in for a couple of laps then let them cool whilst you eat. But that's not always possible.
You've probably changed gearboxes & clutches on a track day as well - so brake pads should be doable with your eyes closed and both hands behind your back Only downside is bedding in may not be ideal. If possible, fit before lunch, bed in for a couple of laps then let them cool whilst you eat. But that's not always possible.
It's not 100% clear from the OP but, despite seeming easy and you having the tools for it - have you actually changed pads on this car before, just to make sure you don't potentially waste a track day attempting an "easy job" which turns into a nightmare of seized pins, leaking pistons, rounded wheel bolts/nuts etc or you find you don't have something specific you need.
if you've got the pads and the tools, you can change pads on the day, no problem. done it a few times myself.
personally, if the ones that are in there are only half worn, i'd leave them in. decent pads should be able to do more than 2 trackdays. but take the replacement pads with you - and if you start getting really low, swap them in over lunch.
personally, if the ones that are in there are only half worn, i'd leave them in. decent pads should be able to do more than 2 trackdays. but take the replacement pads with you - and if you start getting really low, swap them in over lunch.
IanH755 said:
It's not 100% clear from the OP but, despite seeming easy and you having the tools for it - have you actually changed pads on this car before, just to make sure you don't potentially waste a track day attempting an "easy job" which turns into a nightmare of seized pins, leaking pistons, rounded wheel bolts/nuts etc or you find you don't have something specific you need.
Yes I had the calipers offs to inspect the wear level of the pads properly and a look over the calipers. I wouldn't attempt a job like that at a trackday having never done it before, that would be risky. Have done lots of pads on motorbikes so know my way around brakes, cars are just bigger but basic for most(only 1 or 2 pistons to push back).It was more a question about would and do people swaps on a trackday. It seems such a waste of pads if you're not quite halfway through their life. Also not having done many trackdays in the car I'm conscious that some tracks are heavier on brakes than others.
Thanks for the replies.
Just to repeat what others have said, I've swapped pads at a track with no issues, but I've also had to help out a friend with seized calliper bolts who was trying to replace a warped disc, which wasn't fun. So make sure all the bolts, bleed nipples etc can be moved before you get there. And that you've got all the tools you may need.
But assuming the hawk pads are vaguely track appropriate I'd be surprised if you used 50% in a day.
At cadwell park a couple of years ago there were two chaps from the 2CV championship who changed an engine their lunchbreak, which i thought was impressive.
But assuming the hawk pads are vaguely track appropriate I'd be surprised if you used 50% in a day.
At cadwell park a couple of years ago there were two chaps from the 2CV championship who changed an engine their lunchbreak, which i thought was impressive.
Shaoxter said:
Are you really going to go through half a set of pads before lunch? i.e. one set per trackday?
If so, the car probably isn't fit for purpose for a trackday anyway...
F1 cars can go through a set of brakes in 2 hours - they're also useless for track too!If so, the car probably isn't fit for purpose for a trackday anyway...
Anyway, if you run with half-worn pads then you reduce weight
mmm-five said:
You've probably changed gearboxes & clutches on a track day as well - so brake pads should be doable with your eyes closed and both hands behind your back
Shaoxter said:
Are you really going to go through half a set of pads before lunch? i.e. one set per trackday?
If so, the car probably isn't fit for purpose for a trackday anyway...
I've gone through a set of pads in a day at Bedford when I was limited to disc size to to wheel clearance limitations. If so, the car probably isn't fit for purpose for a trackday anyway...
I've done the same, arrived on the day with a set of pads that won't last the day, but are too good to simply throw away. They aren't cheap and we want to get the full use out of them.
Done the same with tyres, had a set fitted that if I removed I'd never pay to get re mounted, but lasted several sessions before I needed to remove them and fit a replacement set.
We aren't racing so why not get the most out of consumables.
Shaoxter said:
Are you really going to go through half a set of pads before lunch? i.e. one set per trackday?
If so, the car probably isn't fit for purpose for a trackday anyway...
I went through a set of pads in 45minutes, in the same type of car I could also do multiple seasons of track days on one set. Its all about the pads, it can really make a dramatic difference.If so, the car probably isn't fit for purpose for a trackday anyway...
but thats fair enough!Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff