What is proper procedure to set my brake pads?

COREY H JENKINS

MEMBER
2016 NISSAN SENTRA
1.8L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
90,000 MILES

Changed my brake pads a couple of weeks ago. Apparently, I did not "set" my brakes right and now my rotors are hot spotted. I'm changing my rotors this weekend and want to know what is proper procedure to "set" my brake pads.
Also, how can you tell if the rear rotors are hot spotted? I changed them about a week earlier.
Should the pads be changed when I replace the rotors? They are about a month old.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,709 POSTS

Hi,

With disc brakes, there is no adjustment. Are the brakes dragging? When you replaced the pads, did you properly clean the slide pins and the caliper mount where the pads sit? Was new hardware used?

Cory, one of the most common causes for the brakes to drag is not taking sandpaper or a small file and cleaning the surface between the brake hardware and the mount. Rust develops and applies pressure to the hardware and then the pads can't move properly.

I attached a pic below showing what I'm referring to. The red line indicates where I always make sure to file rust and dirt away. On the other hand, did you clean and lubricate the slide pins?

Let me know. Also, you can reuse the pads. However, I would clean any glaze from them with sandpaper.

Take care and let me know what I can do to help.

Joe

See pic below.

Image (Click to make bigger)