RobM Posted August 19, 2002 Share Posted August 19, 2002 Not me, but a question from a friend if that's OK. He's recently put new discs (they're slotted, if that's what you call it) and mintex pads on his MX5 in preparation for a trackday next week. Having bed them in, he went out today for a rag at lunchtime to get used to them under hard braking. Afterwards, he said that they smelt bad, and whisps of smoke were coming off them!! He was wondering if this was normal, and if he should go ahead and do the track day on these pads! He's probably put in only a few hundred or so road miles on them. Any help greatly appreciated - How can such a cute looking car sound so ferocious! - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted August 19, 2002 Share Posted August 19, 2002 HY ROB if he was out pounding the brakes they will obviously get hot and smoke and stink this is normal fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted August 19, 2002 Author Share Posted August 19, 2002 OK. I guess my racing brakes don't do this cause they're built for abuse. ie to withstand high temperatures. That'll be a relief for him. I will let him know. thanks - How can such a cute looking car sound so ferocious! - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Wong1697456877 Posted August 19, 2002 Share Posted August 19, 2002 I had this happen - it was the felt from the front wheelbearings catching fire. The bearing was fine but the felt had come loose and was burning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted August 19, 2002 Share Posted August 19, 2002 rob your brakes will do this you just need to go faster and brake later 😬 fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Wong1697456877 Posted August 19, 2002 Share Posted August 19, 2002 I'm not sure it's normal for them to smoke? Mine get hot but I don't get smoke from them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted August 19, 2002 Author Share Posted August 19, 2002 Note that these aren't my brakes in the 7! His MX5 must weigh twice what our Caterhams weigh, thus more kinetic energy to be transferred to heat. - How can such a cute looking car sound so ferocious! - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted August 19, 2002 Share Posted August 19, 2002 ALEX is right why the smoke fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felix.klauser Posted August 20, 2002 Share Posted August 20, 2002 It's not unusual for brakes to smoke when they're first heated up in anger, particularly in a saloon car where the ventilation is poor when compared to a 7. Various solvents and gases are released the first time the pads are made to get good and hot. If they do it more than once or twice then they're just getting too hot and need to be given time to cool off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted August 20, 2002 Author Share Posted August 20, 2002 Felt on your wheelbearings? eh!? - How can such a cute looking car sound so ferocious! - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2D2 Posted August 20, 2002 Share Posted August 20, 2002 Have you conditioned the pads before you used them in anger? I used a set of 171's a few years ago and didn't pre-fade them. The smoke at the end of the first stage of a rally was awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefoster Posted August 20, 2002 Share Posted August 20, 2002 Rob, all Caterham front wheel bearings have a felt dust ring. I have seen the plastic wheel centres melt due to brake heat. A while back I was pounding round Mantorp park playing yoyo with a big Corvette in my 1600 xf, overtaking him into the one bend being out blasted on the straights. After a few laps he pulled in. I carried on for a while longer. On pulling in I saw his car and the brakes were still steaming. We talked and he said that was it for him for the evening. Brakes were gone and would need new pads. It was par for the course for him. Heavy car road brakes.... Steve My racing pics, 7 DIY, race prep. Updated often here Hants (North) and Berkshire area club site here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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