Brake fade and shuddering

[sfoster13]

In the last 10 days, I've done 3 DE events (my first three). In the fist two days, I experienced a little brake fade but nothing too bad. Yesterday, however, I got quite a bit of fade late in the day and some very violent shuddering on hard breaking. The brakes were bled before each event and the pads look fine (not sure what manufacturer they are because they were on the car when I bought it). What should I check as the likely cause? I'm assuming the two issues are related. Thanks for the help.

Car is an 82 SC.

Sean

[KTL]

Sounds like pads that are not up to the task of track driving.

I experienced the same symptoms on my car last season using Ferodo DS2500 pads. I got pad deposition on my rotors and a soft pedal with lots of shuddering. Not very confidence inspiring when you're learning to drive on the track and your brakes feel like garbage.

Try a different pad like

Pagid Orange or Yellow
Hawk Blue
Porterfield R4, Kool Carbon, Carbotech, or any of the other carbon kevlar variants.
Performance Friction PF97

Do a search and you'll find lots of opinions on pad selection for track use.

Also work on improving your braking technique. I am guilty of overbraking and not maintaining enough momentum through the corners. Slow in, fast out is the way to go. I find that I am too slow in and thus overworking my brakes.

[tonythetarga]

Yep, sounds like pads. Clean off the old stuff from your rotor before putting the new pads in and break them in according to the instructions. Track pads might squeek when not used with higher heat temps in the pads/rotors. Swap out your track pads for streets when your done and vise versa before going to the track.
I like Hawke Blues but they can be abbrasive. Cool Kevlars might be a good option for you. PCA DE Czar Pete Tremper sells them. Check your Pano for his email.

edit: just for giggles, check you front wheel bearings for play. If they are fine, it most likely is the pads.