New brembo break pads - is this normal?

[alexk-il]

I recently decided to try an independent VAG specialist to fit new OEM quality Brembo front rotors/pads to my Seat Exeo 2.0 TDI 170 Lux (rebranded A4 B7).

Now i can see that the pads have a trapeizium shape so only a small area of the pad is touching the rotor. The garage says all Brembo pads are like that and claim this to be a special design to prevent squeaks of the new pads. I'm not a mechanic but I would assume the stopping power to be better when all pad area touches the rotor.

So is this normal and did I really get the Brembo parts?

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Thanks

[Crasher]

For all the pad to not contact the disc initially is quite normal and with the ATE calipers/carriers on your car the alignment can be off for a while until they wear in but I would expect the wear pattern to be the opposite way around with most of the disc in contact. I stopped using Brembo a long time ago as I found the quality variable so I stick to Pagid from ECP as I know they will not cause me any trouble ever.

[alexk-il]

Thanks. Do I get you right and I have all the reasons to worry about the safety with this pads? Or shall I expect them to be back to normal after the proper bedding? I just can't see how braking 15 times will get them to have the full contact area, but who knows...

[Crasher]

Bedding in of brakes is a concern, so much so that TRW (who make most of the brakes for VAG) developed a pad bedding in coating called Cotec and I went to Germany to the Nurburgring ring a few years ago to see them demonstrated and even stocked them for a while but they never seemed to catch on, I took this video at the test track adjacent to the ring but it is on photofuket and so I don't know how long it will show for as I have just cancelled my payments and told them to StuffIt!



Both cars have brand new TRW pads and discs and the first stop for both cars is shown, I think you can tell which one has the special TRW Cotec pads. After the bedding in process, both pads are the same.

[alexk-il]

OK, here is the status update:

1. Did the bedding, the contact area did not increase at all, I guess It would take many miles to get it completely flat.
2. I was able to see a few letters on the uncovered parts of the pads, which seems to be part of the Brembo logo.
3. The indie garage called me back one more time, reassuring me that they double checked it and it appears to be normal.
4. Took it to my ex-BMW independent garage, was told this is normal.

So the answer to my question is- Yes, these are Brembo parts and this seems to be normal for these pads.