just replaced my front brake pads and rotors...

[ford460bigblock]

and i was driveing it for like 5 min and the front brakes started to smoke and the rotors got really hot is this normally for new brake pads and rotors or is there some thing wrong???

[ford460bigblock]

its a 96 cavalier 2.2

[ford460bigblock]

also does anyone know the right roxk for the hex bolts is it 40 or 63 thanks

[jakegday]

the heat is normal, however ive never heard of them smoking, did you brake (get it? break spelled like brake cuz were talking about brakes) them in properly?

[ford460bigblock]

it started smoking after i hit the brakes hard just ounces but it wasn't a constant smoke only when i would stop and not for 2 long

[jakegday]

did it do it just the first time or 2, or does it still do it every time?

[ford460bigblock]

well i only nocted it when i would come to a stop sign and when i part it it wasn't alot of smoke only a little bit it smelled like brake line also when i parked it it smoke for like a second and then there was no smell or smoke

thanks

[Cavalier2000]

Did you clean off your new rotors with brake cleaner first?

[Classicrocjunkie]

Originally Posted by Cavalier2000

Did you clean off your new rotors with brake cleaner first?

Beat me to it, you have to have something left on the rotors. You also shouldn't have had them that hot when you first install them. You should relly break them in before hand. Its hard to actually to the process since it has to be on an open road and be at 60mph brake to 55.. speed up wait a couple min brake to 50 drive a little further brake to 45, speed back up to 60, brake to 40. Bring car home and let the car sit for the rest of the night. This is to relieve any stresses in the rotors when they were made. It also should be done on already seasoned pads... or simply not using the brakes alot when you first install them should suffice.

[ford460bigblock]

i didn't use brake cleaner but i did use some sand paper to cleana then off also they stoped somking

[Cap0ni]

Originally Posted by Classicrocjunkie

Beat me to it, you have to have something left on the rotors. You also shouldn't have had them that hot when you first install them. You should relly break them in before hand. Its hard to actually to the process since it has to be on an open road and be at 60mph brake to 55.. speed up wait a couple min brake to 50 drive a little further brake to 45, speed back up to 60, brake to 40. Bring car home and let the car sit for the rest of the night. This is to relieve any stresses in the rotors when they were made. It also should be done on already seasoned pads... or simply not using the brakes alot when you first install them should suffice.

replace the rotors with drilled/slotted ones and do as junkie prescribes.

or dont replace them i just wanted to add that in there.

[94VL]

They put a film on the rotors to keep them from shelf rust.It needs to be cleaned off with brake cleaner before useage.This material will burn into the pad surface and glaze the pad.Braking will never be what it could have been like this.There is no need to sandpaper new rotors,they have proper lathe surfacing when you recieve them.Sandpaper would serve no purpose at all.
Sometimes when you C-clamp the caliper piston back in,it will stick after being applied,due to the piston being driven in further than it has been for quite some time.Any rust or pitting inside there will catch the piston and cause it to hang up.Stuck pistons will burn up pads,overheat the rotors and create hot spots,and eventually lead to warped rotors that vibrate wildly.Usually what happens next is the motorist will blame the auto parts store for selling crap merchandise.

[ford460bigblock]

everything is work the way it is soupsta work. the pistons aren’t stuck . i think there are getting hot because the back shoes and drums are in bad shape. the sand paper is used to give an unidirectional finish on the surface of the rotor to help break in the pads and reduces noise

[89Sunbird]

Originally Posted by ford460bigblock

everything is work the way it is soupsta work. the pistons aren’t stuck .

K

i think there are getting hot because the back shoes and drums are in bad shape.

Not likely a problem...you would be harder to stop, but it wouldnt cause what you described.

the sand paper is used to give an unidirectional finish on the surface of the rotor to help break in the pads and reduces noise

Not required with new rotors, seriously...they come, you buy them, you spray them down with brake cleaner (or gasoline, or warm water) and install them. No extra work needed....