What Are Glazed Brakes? Symptoms, Fixes & Prevention

What Are Glazed Brakes?

How do you tell if your brake pads are glazed? And once you know, what do you do about it? Here’s our guide. Glazing is when the brakes have been heated to the point that the material within the brake pad hardens and smooths. Once that happens, it mirrors and can no longer create effective friction against the rotor.

To understand glazing, let’s first go over how a modern disc-braking system works. It is comprised of three main components: rotor, pads, and caliper.

The rotor:

It’s the disk itself. Generally constructed of nodular iron for its durability and heat absorption qualities; it is what absorbs the conversion of mechanical power into energy in the form of heat.

The pads:

They’re the friction element and the most disposable component of the braking system. These are what act directly on the rotor in the braking process and create the conversion from mechanical power to heat energy. These can be made from non-metallic materials all the way to fully metallic or even be ceramic.

The caliper:

The third final and biggest component to the braking system is the caliper itself. The caliper is the mechanical force of the whole assembly, acting as a giant, hydraulic-powered clamp to squeeze the brake pads against the rotor.

This is done through the rotor’s internal pistons. Brake fluid is applied via the user’s pedal from the master cylinder. The master cylinder then distributes brake fluid at the requested pressure through the lines to the calipers.

The fluid enters the piston and applies its pressure to the surface of the piston, causing it to expand and create a clamping motion on the brake pads and rotor.

Causes of Glazed Brakes

Hard braking:

Frequent hard braking, especially at high speeds, dramatically raises the temperature within the braking system. This excessive heat causes the brake pad material to deteriorate, leading to a pungent burning smell and ultimately, glazed brakes.

Riding the brakes:

Driving with a foot constantly on the brake pedal is another major contributor. This habit, often referred to as “riding the brakes,” keeps the pads in near-constant contact with the rotor, generating continuous heat and increasing the likelihood of glazing.

Continuous braking on downhill drives:

While descending steep hills, many drivers instinctively keep their foot on the brake. However, this sustained braking escalates the temperature within the system, resulting in glazed pads.

Compromised caliper:

A compromised caliper can malfunction, leading to uneven pressure on brake pads. This uneven pressure is a recipe for trouble.

Symptoms of Glazed Brakes

Glazed brake pads can compromise your vehicle’s braking performance. Here are the key indicators that your brake pads may be glazed:

• Squeaking or Squealing Noises – If you notice high-pitched noises during gentle braking, this could be a sign.
• Vibration or Shuddering – Feel a shudder in the steering wheel or pedal when braking? This indicates uneven pad-to-rotor contact.
• Reduced Braking Efficiency – You may find that your vehicle takes longer to stop.
• Visual Inspection – A shiny or glassy appearance on the surface is a clear sign of glazing.
• Burnt Brake Smell – A noticeable burnt odor after frequent or heavy braking can suggest overheating, leading to glazed pads.

How To Fix Glazed Brakes

Recently we took ownership of a ‘17 RAM Power Wagon, a ¾-ton behemoth of modern off-road prowess; in short, it is a giant Jeep Rubicon. The fact that it is built on the RAM 2500 chassis and shares components with the 3500 one-ton variant, it would be assumed that its braking capacity is much more than sufficient for stopping itself, and whatever load or trailer the truck may be hauling. Well, that was not the case with this vehicle.

When it was purchased used as its second owner, it already had 14,000 miles on it from what can only be assumed was heavy stop-and-go traffic of Atlanta (where it was registered). Braking performance was extremely compromised, surprise braking scenarios quickly changed to emergency braking, and standing on the pedal could not stop this 6,900-pound vehicle in a reasonable way.

The only way to confirm suspicions that the stop-and-go traffic had glazed the brake pads was to disassemble the caliper assembly to remove and inspect the pads.

There was not anything malfunctioning in this whole mechanical process of the brakes on my truck. However, upon inspection of the brake pads, we were able to confirm that they were indeed glazed. We replaced them with new, higher performance high friction pads from EBC Brakes, which solved my braking troubles.

Step-by-Step Replacement Guide:

1. Preparation and Safety — Securely park your vehicle and place wheel chocks.
2. Fluid Check — Open the hood and check brake fluid.
3. Loosen and Lift — Loosen lug nuts, jack the vehicle, remove wheels.
4. Caliper and Rotor Removal — Remove bolts, pads, and rotor.
5. Surface Cleaning — Clean rust from hub surface.
6. Install New Components — Fit new rotor, pads, and hardware.
7. Caliper Check — Inspect for leaks and position the piston.
8. Reassembly — Reattach caliper, adjust brake fluid.
9. Final Steps — Press brake pedal until firm, mount wheels, lower vehicle.

You can temporarily relieve glazed brake pads symptoms by removing the brake pads and sanding their surface. The material overall, though, has already been tempered by heat. The only real way to fix this is to replace the brake pads entirely.

If you rub the pads on a rough surface like a concrete floor you can remove the glaze. I’d give that a shot first before you buy new parts. — Reddit User from r/mechanic

How to Prevent Brake Glazing

• Use engine braking when descending hills.
• Avoid riding the brakes.
• Keep a safe following distance to reduce hard braking.
• Regularly inspect brake components.
• Maintain caliper health to ensure even pad wear.

DIY Brake Pad Upgrades

Are you feeling that the performance of your braking system is not where it should be? Break out the tool box and inspect your brakes.

It’s a great way to learn how the components of your vehicle work. (Plus, it is also a great way to save money. Many automotive shops charge hundreds of dollars to complete brake work.

Why spend the money when you can do it yourself at home? It’s as simple as spending some time in your in your driveway with a set of hand tools, some creativity, and your favorite Spotify playlist.

Read More: Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Wilwood AERO6-DM Brake Kits