Looked into adding some new brakes to my 2012 gti dsg. Decided on the Hawk HPS brake pads due to previous forums and its reviews. The brakes were properly installed by my mechanic. At first the brakes werent an improvement at all but i thought maybe they just needed some breaking in. Its been a few days now and still no change. In other words, the dealer brake pads and a million times better. Sooo any recommendations? Spent over 100$ on new brake pads for nothing, no improvement and now i have to purchase another set of brake pads. Luckily i only purchased the front set.
6
New brakes dont work
- Thread starter gtimike11
- Start date
damagi123
Go Kart Champion
ok ill bite. this part doesnt make sense. at first they just weren't an improvement over stock but then you go on to say the dealer break pads (are) a million times better?
Did you change fluid and bleed system? Did you properly bed the pads in? Both make a difference.
Bedding
After installing new brake pads, make 6-to-10 stops from approximately 30-35 MPH applying moderate pressure.
Make an additional 2-to-3 hard stops from approximately 40-45 MPH.
DO NOT DRAG BRAKES!
Allow at least 15 minutes for the brake system to cool down.
After step 4 is completed, your new Hawk Performance brake pads are ready for use.
XGC75
Go Kart Champion
Bedding will make an immediate difference but the long-term fix is to install new rotors with new pads. Sounds like the professionals didn't tell you about that part.
What's happening is that the new smooth and flat pads aren't making much surface contact with your pitted and grooved old rotors. Therefore with less to bite on to you have less braking power. Bedding will help fix this but again it's not ideal.
What's happening is that the new smooth and flat pads aren't making much surface contact with your pitted and grooved old rotors. Therefore with less to bite on to you have less braking power. Bedding will help fix this but again it's not ideal.
Uberryan
Banned
Street pads are only slightly above standard of OEM. You basically bought pads that dust less. By your impression given, I imagine you didn't even bed the pads and rotors (if applicable) properly. There's a layer you need to burn off of new pads to get them to bite correctly. This is even more difficult if you try to bed new pads on used rotors, because the rotors are already dug in a certain way from the old pads.
eldiablo1
Ready to race!
Pretty much this... but I would add 3 additional passes at higher speeds (75-80 mph). Get the car up to speed and then apply brakes (hard) to bring the car to a near stop each time, and then get back up to speed. After last pass, coast to a stop and let the car cool for 20 minutes.
If brakes aren't smoking after this, you probably didn't bed them hard enough.
This should improve things if done properly.
I just bought some HPS 5.0 pads but haven't installed them yet. Stock pads still have plenty of life, so only reason I'm making the change is for an improvement in bite and feel. Hope I have better luck than you!
I've had Hawk HPS and HP+ on other cars, and both were a big improvement over stock. Don't see why it wouldn't be the same for the GTI. But I'm also replacing rotors and will be sure to bed the new pads in properly.
I've had Hawk HPS and HP+ on other cars, and both were a big improvement over stock. Don't see why it wouldn't be the same for the GTI. But I'm also replacing rotors and will be sure to bed the new pads in properly.
So i found out the problem. Took it to a car specialists that has years and years of experience with VW and he told me the issue. Asked him to check out my brakes for me. Just by glancing at it, he asked me,
did you cut your rotors?
i answered yes.
He said, theres your problem right there, take those and throw them out(pointing at the garbage can).
Ended up buying new rotors and the same hawk brake pads work mighty fine. long story short, for future reference, don't cut your rotors! That goes for most german cars as well. Lesson learned.
did you cut your rotors?
i answered yes.
He said, theres your problem right there, take those and throw them out(pointing at the garbage can).
Ended up buying new rotors and the same hawk brake pads work mighty fine. long story short, for future reference, don't cut your rotors! That goes for most german cars as well. Lesson learned.
nvturbo
Go Kart Champion
I had to drop the rear LCA just to get to that PITA bolt. :thumbdown:
damagi123
Go Kart Champion
what do you mean by cut your rotors?
snobrdrdan
former GTI owner
Get them "turned" (resurfaced)