Technical reference for installing and specifying TEI brake kits.
Installation manual
Our general brake kit installation manual covers torque specifications, the bedding-in procedure, and step-by-step fitting instructions that apply across the TEI kit range.
Fitment guidance
- Wheel clearance — every product page lists the minimum wheel size a kit needs, and our Fitment Guide has the full minimum-wheel-clearance table by caliper family. If you're close to the limit, check with our team before ordering.
- Electronic parking brake (EPB) — cars with a factory EPB need an electro-mechanical rear caliper (our "Explore" and "-R" rear kits) to keep the parking brake working. A standard rear caliper swap will disable it.
- Wheel spacers — some vehicles need a spacer to clear a larger caliper; this is noted per model. Spacers are forged aluminum with a 1-year warranty.
Spec sheets
Detailed per-model specifications — piston count and area, disc diameter and thickness, caliper weight, and recommended pad compound — are listed on each product page. For a full spec sheet on a specific kit, or a comparison across models, contact our team and we'll send it directly.
What to have ready
Before installation, identify the vehicle year, make and model, the front or rear application, the kit model and the wheel specifications. The supplied manual covers the general installation process; vehicle-specific fitment, wheel clearance and parking-brake questions should be confirmed against the product information or with our technical team.
If you need torque values, a wiring diagram for an EPB caliper, or documentation for a specific market, reach out — our technical team can usually turn this around quickly.
After installation
Check that the wheel rotates freely and that the caliper, disc and brake line do not contact the wheel or suspension. Confirm the fasteners, fluid connections and brake-pedal feel before normal driving. Follow the supplied bedding-in instructions. If you find contact, leakage, a warning light or abnormal braking, stop and have the installation inspected by a qualified brake technician.
Bedding-in a new brake system
To be performed on a closed course or safe road.
- Accelerate to 80 km/h, then apply light braking force to decelerate to 40 km/h. Repeat 5 times.
- Accelerate to 100 km/h, then apply moderate braking force to decelerate to 40 km/h. Repeat 5 times.
- Accelerate to 100 km/h, then apply heavy braking force to decelerate to 40 km/h. Repeat 5 times.
- Gradually increase brake pressure with each application, keeping each braking event within 4-5 seconds. An increase in pad bite and friction coupling under consistent pedal input will become perceptible.
- After the procedure, stop the vehicle safely and inspect:
- Steel rotor — check whether a light bluish "heat tint" (temper colour) appears on the disc surface. Uniform light blue coloration means the rotor has reached the right operating temperature and bedding-in has been correctly initiated.
- Carbon-ceramic rotor — inspect whether the disc surface shows a glossy or glazed appearance. An evenly polished, glossy surface means bedding-in has been properly completed.
Precautions
- Smoke may appear during the initial break-in. This is normal — it comes from the anti-rust oil on the discs and the surface coating on the pads, and dissipates once the components heat up.
- The system may not deliver peak performance during break-in (typically the first 400-500 km of normal driving). Avoid heavy or prolonged braking during this time. Minor brake noise, or slight vibration in the steering wheel or body, is normal.
- Do not wash the vehicle or use water to rapidly cool the braking system while it is hot.
- For track days, warm all braking components evenly before full-speed driving or racing.
Brake pad options: M1 vs M2
TEI street kits ship with a free choice of pad compound. The two options trade comfort against temperature range.
| M1 Ceramic | M2 Metal | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Quiet, low-dust road use | Aggressive driving and track days |
| Character | Less dust, better noise suppression | Linear feel, good heat-fade resistance |
| Temperature | 0-550 °C | 50-700 °C |
| Friction coefficient | 0.38-0.43 | 0.42-0.47 |