Wet weather braking

fuzz · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

Since I replaced my front discs with some EBCs and fitted HH pads, I get shocking performance in the wet. It takes as long as 3 seconds sometimes for the brakes to start biting. The rear works fine instantly, which is still the original disc but also using HH pads. Dry performance is much better than stock discs/pads, but the wet is just appalling.

Could it be the discs, pads, or both? The OE discs/pads were nowhere near as bad as this in the wet. It's worrying at times, especially this time of year.
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Marci · Brolly Dolly Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Karma :

Take it you've already applied `em to dry `em before trying to use `em to actually stop with?
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fuzz · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

Well yes, but it takes much longer than before to dry the discs before they bite. I just wondered if it was anything to do with the disc/pad combination.
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veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Are the pads bedded in yet?

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Sintered pads shouldn't be affected by water in the slightest, it's one of their main features.

They are EBC HH pads (with a gold coloured backing) and not EBC red-stuff (with a red coloured backing) ones yeah? The red stuff ones claim to be sintered but I have my doubts because they are shocking in the wet. Never had any problems with the proper HH. My KLE has them on EBC discs and has no problems in the wet, maybe a bit too sharp if anything.

fuzz · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

Yeah they are proper EBC HH pads, gold backing, with EBC prolite (I think) discs. I've had them in a while, so they should be bedded in by now; the discs certainly no longer have the (zinc?) coating on them. Maybe go over the pads with some fine sandpaper?
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Marci · Brolly Dolly Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Karma :

IMO, fine sandpaper will make them smoother not rougher. I always use a file...
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fuzz · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

I was thinking of removing the glaze, if there is one, rather than diminishing the life of pads considerably Confused

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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Don't worry about wearing the pads, they should be biting into the disc because they're a lot harder than standard pads, they do not wear quickly. You could be on the right lines looking at some sort of coating/glaze having formed on either the discs or the pads.

Giving both the disc and the pads a once-over with some emery paper as you suggested sounds like a plan to me.

Timmeh · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Karma :

also check for brake fluid leakage from the piston.

you might have accidentally banged a seal when you replaced them.
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fuzz · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

That would also upset the brakes in the dry, wouldn't it? Trust me, that's not the problem, I did a recent overhaul of the pistons. It's winter you know! Wink

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Timmeh · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Karma :

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

i think we will get winter in feb-march
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metallninja · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 17 Nov 2006 Karma :

It`s your discs!

HH sintered work well in most conditions, if you opted for the EBC ProLite discs they are made from Cast Iron which is different from your OE discs. You will also find they rust quicker, again due to the material they are made from.

They take longer to operate in the wet as they take longer to warm up.

I used to apply the brakes in advance of junctions etc just to get a bite. Obviously they are still pants for unforseen events.

You simply have to adjust your riding style in the wet to compensate.
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