What is what does it mean when brakes are glazed?

Glazed brakes refer to a condition where the surface of the brake pads and/or brake rotors becomes smooth, hard, and shiny. This glazing significantly reduces the friction between the pads and rotors, leading to reduced braking performance.

Causes of Glazed Brakes:

• Excessive Heat: Overheating is the primary cause. Repeated hard braking or prolonged downhill driving can raise brake temperatures to a point where the resins in the brake pads melt and create a glassy layer on the surface.
• Low-Quality Brake Pads: Inexpensive brake pads may use materials that are more prone to glazing under heat.
• Gentle Braking Only: Surprisingly, consistently gentle braking without occasional harder stops can also cause glazing. This is because the pads never get hot enough to properly clean and refresh their surface.
• Incorrect Break-in Procedure: Not properly bedding in new brake pads and rotors can lead to glazing early on.

Symptoms of Glazed Brakes:

• Reduced Braking Power: The most noticeable symptom is that your brakes are less effective than usual, requiring more pedal pressure to stop the vehicle.
• Brake Fade: Braking performance diminishes significantly after repeated use or during prolonged downhill braking.
• Squealing or Squeaking Noises: Glazed brakes can sometimes produce high-pitched squealing or squeaking sounds when applied.
• Vibration or Pulsation: In severe cases, glazed rotors can contribute to vibration or pulsation felt through the brake pedal.

Consequences of Glazed Brakes:

• Increased Stopping Distance: Reduced braking efficiency leads to longer stopping distances, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Premature Wear: Glazing can accelerate wear on both brake pads and rotors.
• Unsafe Driving Conditions: Reduced braking power compromises overall vehicle safety.

Fixing Glazed Brakes:

• Brake Bedding (for mild glazing): Perform a series of controlled hard stops from moderate speeds to help remove the glazed layer. This is more effective for new brakes or pads with slight glazing.
• Resurfacing Rotors: If the rotors are in good condition, they can be resurfaced (turned or machined) to remove the glazed surface and restore a fresh, flat braking surface.
• Replacing Brake Pads: Replacing the glazed brake pads with new ones is often necessary.
• Replacing Rotors: In severe cases, or if the rotors are too thin to be resurfaced, replacing them is the best option.
• Choosing Higher-Quality Brake Pads: Opting for better quality brake pads with higher temperature ratings can help prevent glazing in the future.