Brake Pad FAQ

Question: What's with the different compounds? What is the application of each?

PAGID RS packaging

RS 7: Black (Discontiuned)

Digressive friction curve. Low friction rear axle racing compound, especially developed for front wheel driven cars.

RS 14: Black
Medium to high friction ceramic type compound with good initial bite, excellent release characteristic, very good modulation and controllability. Low wear rate and fade resistant up to 650°C. Newer compounds have replaced RS14 in some applications.

RS 15: Grey (Not available for all applications, being discontiuned)
Very high torque compound. It combines a 20% higher friction value than the RS14 with a slightly increased pad wear. Needs finesse to avoid over braking the car. Good release characteristic and a quick bedding in procedure. Although the "RS15" has very good modulation it might have an excessive bite for some applications.

RS 19: Yellow
Low pad wear, very disc friendly, wide temperature range , yet most used pad in endurance racing. Due to excellent release characteristics and controllability also often used in shorter sprint races.

Best compound for endurance racing on the basis of the RS 14. A slight reduction of the friction value improves the modulation. Nevertheless, the friction value is enough for cars without power-assisted brake system and ensures comfortable low effort on the brake pedal. Constant temperatures up to 600°C (1.100°F) are possible. The combination of friction value, fading stability and low wear rates on pads and discs realized with this pad compound is unmatched up to now. Due to its outstanding wear rate and drivability also used at many sprint races. Application: All endurance racing cars from group N (Speed-WC, Grand Am Cup) up to GT and Sport-Prototypes. A multiple winner of Daytona 24h, Le Mans 24h, Sebring 12h, Spa 24 h, Nürburgring 24h, often with no pad change and usually no disc change.

RS 29: Yellow
Combines the outstanding wear rate of the RS19 with a slightly higher initial bite and torque.

RS 42: Blue
Medium friction compound with immediate low temperature response. Very easy bedding process. Classic Rally pad and also very popular in small formula cars. Newer compounds have replaced RS42 in some applications

RS 44: Orange
Medium friction compound with medium initial bite. Very good rear pad for RWD front engine and FWD cars. Newer compounds have replaced RS44 in some applications.

PAGID RSC packaging

RSC1:
Sprint race and track day compound for all known types of ceramic brake discs. This friction material features an ideal combination of cold friction, fade resistance and low thermal oxidation of the disc surface fibers.

RSC2:
Special race compound for ceramic discs with a high fibre-content in the friction surface. Excellent fading stability, very high friction level and low pad wear.

RSC3:
Special race compound for ceramic discs with low fibre-content in the friction surface.
Excellent fading stability, very high friction level and low pad wear.

PAGID RSL race pads packaging

RSL1:
Long distance/endurance compound with very good pad and disc wear, as wll as friction stability vs. temperature. Low pedal effort, slightly progressive in-stop behavior but still good modulation.

RSL2:
Newly developed endurance compound based on the RSL1. The friction level bridges the gap between RSL1 and RS29 but with improved pad and disc wear, as well as excellent friction stability vs. temperature. The base characteristics of low pedal effort, slightly progressive in-stop behavior with good modulation have been retained.

PAGID RST race pads

RST1:
High friction compound with very good initial bite and a progressive torque curve. Very fade resistant.
Suitable for applications with high down-force and / or very high grip.

RST2:
Medium to high friction and fade resistant compound with a mild progressive torque curve and good pedal feel. Recommended for GT and Touring Car racing on tracks where higher temperatures are an issue.

RST3:
Medium to high friction metal-ceramic type compound with good initial bite and still excellent modulation and release characteristics. Medium torque, fade resistant up to 800°C. Lowest thermal conductivity in the RST range.

RST4:
Medium friction, high heat tolerance with consistent repeatability. Also used for rear axle applications FWD cars and on long oval racing where more aggressive materials would disturb the vehicle set up. Recommended for formula and open wheel racing.

Question: What is brake pad "Bedding In", and how do I do it?

"Bedding" is simply conforming the new pads to the rotor.

1. Basic Bedding In - 3-4 stops with light to medium brake pressure from start (90mph) to finish (60mph). Distance between each stop should be approximately 1/4 mile. The pads should NOT reach temperatures ABOVE 575 to 750 degrees during bedding in process.

2. Bedding in at High Speed - 1 stop with medium to heavy brake pressure (without allowing lockup) from start (110mph) to finish (60mph). Perform recovery stops with light brake pressure 2-3 times. Repeat the 1 to 2 times. Allow a cooling off distance of approximately 3/10 mile between high speed stops.

3. Mounting New Pads on Used Discs - Edges of the pad surface should be filed at a 45 degree angle to insure that the pad contacts the disc fully and evenly.

Question: What about the NEW Pagid "S" type pads?

This is high performance compound with good fading characteristics and high cold friction. The most comfortable medium friction sport compound. The Sport Pad is street legal, rotor friendly and OE on various Ferraris and Corvettes. PAGID "S" Brake Pads are dipped in a anti-corrosion blue paint, with a layer also on the friction surface. This paint coating will disintegrate during the first braking applications without any loss of friction compared to our other non-coated compounds. In addition a majority of the "S" Line come with anti-noise shims. The "S" compound is the PAGID RS 4-2-1.

Question: So, is the "Bedding in" procedure different for the new "S" pads?

A little, yes. Pagid "S" Brake Pads come with an anti-corrosion paint layer also on the friction surface. This powder coating will disintegrate during the first brake applications without any loss of friction compared to the non-coated compounds. There is also no negative impact on the surface of the brake rotors.

Question: Any other good advice for a novice?

After refitting the wheels and lowering the vehicle, be sure to observe the following:

1. Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir and replenish to max line, if necessary. Use only NEW brake fluids specified by the manufacturer.

2. To reposition the brake pads correctly, repeatedly actuate the brake pedal to once the vehicle is back on the ground.

3. Repeat this procedure until the brake pedal travel has stabilized at approximately one-third of its travel. With a maximum amount of pressure applied, the pedal should not change position, even over a prolonged period of time.

4. If the pressure point and consistency cannot be achieved, recheck the entire braking system. Otherwise, the risk of brake failure cannot be ruled out. Re-check the system for leaks.

5. Perform trial brake application at low speeds keeping in mind that brake effectiveness may be somewhat reduced during the first brake applications. Do not apply excessive force or perform continuous braking the achieve faster bedding-in

6. Observe traffic regulations when performing brake tests.

Copyright - 2001 - Pagid USA, Brake Technology of America