Hi,

I just got my mini back from a mechanic, who installed my front and rear brake pads. First, I gave him DP31701C and DP31388C EBC RedStuff 3000 brake pads. They look very different from the old brake sipad, which he pulled from my 08 MCS. He said that they will not fit. The EBC were the wrong types. I think that he is not used to installing EBC.

He also did a full brake fluid flush. When I got my MCS back, I noticed that I head to press harder on the brake pedal to stop. Originally, my brakes are very sensitive and too much pressure will make my MCS come to a complete halt. I got used to the old way and felt confident that I can stop on a dime. He must have adjusted something. My new brake action behaves more like a japanese car, where there is more cushion and I really have to press hard to get to the sudden halt. Just trying to understand what was done to change the feel of the brake action. Also, what is normal for MCS braking sensitivity. Also, the next time, how I can get back to the way it was before.. beside go to the dealer..


Thanks...

 

I don't have any experience with EBC pads, so I can't answer that part.

As to the different brake pedal feel, it sounds to me like your mechanic did a crappy job of bleeding the brake system and left some air in the lines. What you are feeling is the air compressing as you press the pedal down. I would take it back, tell him about the problem, and have him bleed the system again.

 

Sounds like you need to bed the pads in...
Different pads feel different...
The feel you are refering to is modulation...the varing amount of on/off feel you get with the pads...they vary from brand to brand...and even as the pad warms up.
The question is, what pad did get installed...
It usually takes a while for a new pad to bed into the rotors...that is mate or conform to the surface to get maximum braking....
Different pad trypes/brands are ned in differant...some have a coating to speed up bedding in the pads...

 

Yup, Zippy has the answer again.

 

I'm stuck at the first part

I just got my mini back from a mechanic, who installed my front and rear brake pads. First, I gave him DP31701C and DP31388C EBC RedStuff 3000 brake pads. They look very different from the old brake sipad, which he pulled from my 08 MCS. He said that they will not fit. The EBC were the wrong types. I think that he is not used to installing EBC.


If so? What pads did he actually install? I've been installing EBC pads on MINIS since 2004 . . . other than the color they look the same as OEM IME (if the pads don't look right - note - GEN1 pads [02 thru 07 hardtop] look VERY different fm GEN2 pads)

New pads need to BED .... there's two ways to accomplish this. The racer way, guys who put pads on 'tween racing sessions and need the bedded FAST, will advocate the go to 60, slam the brakes, repeat 10 times - method.

EBC install instructions will include the 'regular method' . . . know that new pads are not as grippy and drive / and BRAKE / conserv'tly for the first 200 miles. {the same warning that is in the owner's manual for a NEW MINI}

 

Did the shop put in another brand of new brake pads in your MINI or use the old pads after the full brake flush.

What happened to your EBC REDS?

Just curious, since the OP implied his REDS were not installed.

I agree, pads bed different, flush could be not done correct, lines might be hold air.

 

Hi,

I am returning the EBC Red back to the internet company. I was looking forward to having them installed. I heard they are popular and low dust. I decided to install the next pads and rotors on my own. I done brake pads on my Sequoia and old G35. I am new to the Mini. Is it too hard. I know I have to buy the special harbor tool. I think that the mechanic did not know about the EBC and did not try to fit them it. The EBC do look different with the ears. But the brake sensitivity is very different. Before, small break pedal pressure and my MCS will stop on the dime. Had total confident that I can avoid an accident. Now, feel like a japanese car (if u know what I mean).

All opinions are welcome. Thanks for the feedback. I will try to do the small jobs next time and save the big jobs for the shop.

 

all EBC pads come with a "special breakin coating" which you need to burn through before you get the real pad material.

if the pads looked different at the 'ears' it sounds like you bought the wrong pad model. The 'ears' on the pads are different 'tween the GENs

this is a gen1 rear pad - notice the 'ear'


this is a gen2 pad - notice the ear has no hook

 

Thanks Capt,

My old break pads looks like the gen 2. I got the EBC which looks like the Gen1 with the ear. So the mechanic was correct. My bad.. Now, I am just wondering about the brake sensitivity. Are the MCS braking is sensitivity or have the cushioned feel like most Japanese cars. When I got my MCS, it stopped on a dime.. It took time to get used to it, but I felt safer. Just wondering if I should try to fixed this on the next brake pad replacements. Thanks for adding the pics. I am learning here and this place is a great resource.

 

I'm confused - what pads do you have now if you returned the EBCs. Did the mechanic put your old pads back on, or use something else.

The MINI brakes are very 'over engineered' for the weight of the car and you should be seeing excellent stopping power. ANY new pad is going to take some time to bed properly, especially if you put new pads on the old rotors...this can add to the bed time. So far as feel, yes my MINIs have both had a stiff pedal and decent modulation - different than my Hondas (two in the garage at this time) but also different from my Miata (which is certainly not a bad feel) and also different from my Mini. But ya know, also different from the Ferrari 599 and Lambor' SuperLeggera I was driving the other week . . .

Once my EBCs (I use green) have a couple of hundred miles on them I find everything to be just like the car was when a month old (it takes time to bed new car brakes too)

So far as DIY, the MINI brakes are no more difficult that any other disk brake setup. The rears DO need the twist and push, but this is not an unusual setup. It is not used on all cars (with rear disks), but it is used on many which is why the HF tool came with many adapter plates - they fit different manufacturers which used the same e-brake setup (that's what requires the turn and push)

If your brakes feel soft after a couple of hundred miles there might have been an issue with the bleeding during the flush. Air in the lines will result in a soft brake pedal.

For my 2 cents, I never change pads/rotors and the fluid at the same time. Change too much and have a problem, you have a harder time figuring out what's gone wrong. I do a brake job of pads (and rotors if needed) and ensure I'm happy with that work. THEN attack a flush (if needed). If a new problem develops I know better where to look....

p.s. last time I looked HF had discontinued the brake tool which has been oft' recommended. They have a replacement but as I recall it was overkill. I think Outmotoring has a decent alternative now and many have also used the small 'cube' tool which can be had for under $10

 

Hi Capt,

Thanks for all the info. The mechanic installed Posi Quiet brake pads, which he got from a local store. I want the job to get done. I've done pads on my old japanese cars, next time, I will install EBC on my own. I am not sure what to do with the spongy feel, but I will take your advice and wait a few hundred miles. I am not sure if it is something that I can do on my own to fix this issue. By the way, what is the cube tool as an alternate to the HF brake tool.

Thanks again..

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/four-wh...ool-95713.html

versus

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-piec...kit-97143.html this being the 'new' version of the kit which previously sold for less - it now has two complete tools, not sure why . . .