Which compound do I use front, which rear?

That is hard to answer in general - it depends a lot on the car and on how it is used. As a guide: the grippier compound with the higher coefficient of friction up front, where most of the deceleration is done, and a somewhat harder, more heat-resistant pad at the rear. If you are unsure, give us a call - we will advise you and put together a balanced brake setup.

Is it a problem to fit sport pads only at the front?

Changing only the front is common and usually uncritical, because the front axle carries most of the braking load. But make sure the front coefficient of friction is not so far above that of the old rear pads that the ESC/ABS control behavior and the balance noticeably tip. When in doubt, follow up the rear axle with a matching compound.

Setting brake balance: brake force distribution front/rear explained

Understanding brake balance: brake force distribution front / rear

Brake balance - or brake force distribution - controls the ratio of brake force between the front and rear axle. It determines vehicle stability and tire wear.

What is brake balance?

When braking, the load shifts forward - depending on the vehicle, the front wheels do 60 to 80 percent of the deceleration. Brake balance describes how the total brake force is split between the front and rear axle.

If the balance is too far forward, the car pushes over the front wheels and understeers under braking. If too much brake force is at the rear, the tail tends to step out. Both cost safety and lap time.

Influencing brake force distribution through pad choice

When the same compound is fitted front and rear, the tail tends to rotate or pull along depending on the tire setup. A deliberately different pad choice at the rear - such as a harder endurance compound - shifts the balance and stabilizes the car.

Concretely: if the rear tends to rotate in under braking or comes round on the brakes, a different pad choice at the rear can stabilise the car. The right choice on the rear axle is then a harder pad with a lower coefficient of friction.

On the race track, brake balance is additionally fine-tuned via the brake system itself, via brake pressure and, where applicable, a balance bar. For most road and track day vehicles, compound choice is the simplest lever.

Tire wear and stability

Clean brake force distribution is gentle on the tires: if one axle locks too early, you get flat spots and uneven wear. A balanced setup keeps deceleration constant over long stints.

Frequently asked questions

Which compound do I use front, which rear?: That is hard to answer in general - it depends a lot on the car and on how it is used. As a guide: the grippier compound with the higher coefficient of friction up front, where most of the deceleration is done, and a somewhat harder, more heat-resistant pad at the rear. If you are unsure, give us a call - we will advise you and put together a balanced brake setup.
Is it a problem to fit sport pads only at the front?: Changing only the front is common and usually uncritical, because the front axle carries most of the braking load. But make sure the front coefficient of friction is not so far above that of the old rear pads that the ESC/ABS control behavior and the balance noticeably tip. When in doubt, follow up the rear axle with a matching compound.

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