Discussion: Bed Your Brakes After Delivery!?

[tbolts10]

Truck got delivered yesterday (woohoo!) so I've naturally been playing around with everything all weekend. I wanted to see how strong the brakes were so I threw it in neutral and stood on them and to my shock the truck DID NOT want to stop, even with me applying a massive amount of pressure that would normally kick on ABS in another car. My first thought was "does Rivian not bed these brakes?" - So I followed my typical bed in process when I get new brakes and just like that - the truck stops perfectly normal now. Thought i'd pass along this advice because it is borderline dangerous without bedding these brakes in!

Pic of truck because it's awesome.

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[Zoidz]

Does any auto manufacturer document that they bed the brakes before delivery?

 

[COdogman]

I feel like an idiot. What is bedding your brakes? I’ve never done that with any vehicle before…

 

[Zoidz]

I feel like an idiot. What is bedding your brakes? I’ve never done that with any vehicle before…

It is a process recommended by many/most? Brake pad manufacturers. For example, you drive to 15 mph and apply the brakes moderately hard until all but stopping. Then repeat from 25 mph, and again from 35 mph. There are probably 50 variations on the exact procedure, lol.
The goal is to slowly and progressively heat the brake pads up causing them to “settle” into a good position/alignment for your calipers and rotors, as well as burn off irregularities and impurities on the new pads and rotors.

 

[COdogman]

It is a process recommended by many/most? Brake pad manufacturers. For example, you drive to 15 moh and apply the brakes moderately hard until all but stopping. Then repeat from 25 mph, and again from 35 mph. There are probably 50 variations on the exact procedure, lol.
The goal is to slowly and progressively heat the brake pads up causing them to “settle” into a good position/alignment for your calipers and rotors, as well as burn off irregularities and impurities on the new pads and rotors.

Thank you. I don’t know how I’ve gotten this far without ever hearing about it or having to do it

 

[R1Sky Business]

It is a process recommended by many/most? Brake pad manufacturers. For example, you drive to 15 mph and apply the brakes moderately hard until all but stopping. Then repeat from 25 mph, and again from 35 mph. There are probably 50 variations on the exact procedure, lol.
The goal is to slowly and progressively heat the brake pads up causing them to “settle” into a good position/alignment for your calipers and rotors, as well as burn off irregularities and impurities on the new pads and rotors.

Is this a one time process?...

 

[mikehmb]

Is this a one time process?...

It’s something you do every time you swap out pads or install new (or recently turned) rotors. I do this on my mtn bikes and motorcycles after every pad and/or rotor change - which is pretty often, esp on the mtb.

TBH I’ve only used the actual friction brakes once in the truck and did notice how poorly they worked given the need for panic stop.

Good call, OP. This is a good idea and I personally feel foolish for not having thought about it for the truck.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

There was another guy who suggested this so I did it when I first got my truck. I think it was a good call for how infrequently you use the friction brakes in the R1 with how strong the regen is I probably use the friction brakes 1 out of three trips I take if that.

I would recommend doing a basic brake bedding procedure monthly if you are like me and barely use the friction brakes. The rotors do rust and pads oxidize during long periods of sitting idle. Especially in this truck, the only times I really even use the friction brakes are on a really hard stop. You want to make sure your brakes work in that case. The size of the calipers are more than sufficient to stop the truck, provided your brakes are seated correctly. It has plenty of stopping power.

 

[virgnia_rivian]

I have never heard of having to do this on any new car. Ever.

 

[kanundrum]

At least take your brakes to dinner first...

 

[Ladiver]

Where’s the cigarette lighter?

 

[COdogman]

At least take your brakes to dinner first...

 

[swaggner]

This is a good call. I’ve done this 30+ times with racing pads and the process and philosophy is essentially the same.

You want the pads to mate to the rotors and this takes SIGNIFICANT pressure and heat to actually apply a layer of pad to the rotor.

Find a completely empty road:

Do about a hard (and I mean f-ing hard, but not locking up) brake application from about 60mph to 20mph, then speed back up to 60 and repeat this about 8more times.

Do NOT come to a complete stop again until you drive for several minutes to cool the rotors. Then bobs your uncle.

 

[crashmtb]

This is a good call. I’ve done this 30+ times with racing pads and the process and philosophy is essentially the same.

You want the pads to mate to the rotors and this takes SIGNIFICANT pressure and heat to actually apply a layer of pad to the rotor.

Find a completely empty road:

Do about a hard (and I mean f-ing hard, but not locking up) brake application from about 60mph to 20mph, then speed back up to 60 and repeat this about 8more times.

Do NOT come to a complete stop again until you drive for several minutes to cool the rotors. Then bobs your uncle.

Also don’t hold the brakes on while hot, otherwise uneven pad material deposits might happen

 

[jerseyff]

...and that was nearly the last time I used the brake pedal (when I took delivery and was testing out the hardware brakes). Now just shy of 10k miles...I suspect they still look good as new!

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