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Oct. 3, 2011 4:04 p.m. rob_lewis Dork

OK, I'm baffled and need some brake help. My new pads on new rotors still stink pretty bad after driving to work (downhill).

Background: Shadetree mechanic. I've done brakes on 20 different cars over the years, never had issues. 2007 Tahoe's pads were looking thin (55k miles) and I tow a trailer a lot, so I ordered new rotors and ceramic pads from the local auto parts.

Installed them about two weeks ago. Calipers looked fine except for a slight tear (no leak) in one of the piston boots. I didn't think it was bad enough to replace immediately. Was/is not sticking or dragging.

Bedded them in on the toll road, up to 60, down to 10, up to 60, down to 10, etc. until they faded (about 8 stops).

Let them cool for about 25 minutes driving on the freeway.

They don't stink all the time, but on my trip to work, there's a downhill section where I'm on them pretty good. Same drive with the older pads. When I pull into the parking lot at the office, they reek. Like overcooked them reek.

Why? Is it normal for ceramic pads and it'll go away? Did I overheat them bedding them in and ruin them? Would it be a stuck piston?

-Rob
Oct. 3, 2011 10:36 p.m. Gearheadotaku Dork

What kind of pads are they exactly? Please don't say Autozone....
Oct. 3, 2011 10:40 p.m. hotrodlarry Reader

What kinda stink is it? Like hot brakes or something else?
Oct. 3, 2011 11:02 p.m. MG_Bryan New Reader

It wouldn't take much time or effort to pull the wheels back off an check the pads for glazing or any other problems. Are they stopping the vehicle satisfactorily?
Oct. 3, 2011 11:23 p.m. Travis_K SuperDork

The only time I bought pads from the local autoparts store they would get hot enough to smell easily, that's the main reason that was the only time.
Oct. 3, 2011 11:33 p.m. fasted58 SuperDork

do all four wheels stink or are overheated? should be able to tell a sticky caliper w/ excessive heat by touch or a infared thermometer compared to the rest
Oct. 4, 2011 9:28 a.m. rob_lewis Dork

Wearever Ceramic pads. Bought from Advanced Auto along with new Wearever rotors.

Stink is like an overcooked brakes or burnt clutch stink. I'll pull the wheels and check the pads and rotors for glazing. They seem to stop fine. No different than the older pads, but no better (I thought they might be better). It's a Tahoe, the brakes never seem to work good enough for me, anyway.

Just the fronts seem to get hot and stink. (I didn't do the rears yet.)

I didn't buy the most expensive pads a rotors and probably should have.......

-Rob
Oct. 4, 2011 10:03 a.m. BoostedBrandon Reader

I work at Advance, and all I use is Wagner.

I'm not much on the Wearever Ceramics, I usually recommend the Golds if they don't wanna drop the extra coin on the Wagner pads.

Sounds to me like they've glazed over. If so, you can get them replaced under warranty.
Oct. 4, 2011 12:55 p.m. Gearheadotaku Dork

rob_lewis wrote:

Wearever Ceramic pads. Bought from Advanced Auto along with new Wearever rotors.

Stink is like an overcooked brakes or burnt clutch stink. I'll pull the wheels and check the pads and rotors for glazing. They seem to stop fine. No different than the older pads, but no better (I thought they might be better). It's a Tahoe, the brakes never seem to work good enough for me, anyway.

Just the fronts seem to get hot and stink. (I didn't do the rears yet.)

I didn't buy the most expensive pads a rotors and probably should have.......

-Rob

Yep, there's your problem. I've heard several stories about "store brand" ceramics causing all sorts of heat and weird issues. Buy some Wagner Thermoquiets and all will be well. I believe there is even a rebate for them right now...