Opinion Needed on PCCB Wear Indicators (Pics)

[JKay]

Hello All

My specialist (well known and trusted) reckons my PCCB's need changing in the not too distant future, and that an OPC would recommend them getting changed ASAP.

Ive done a search and am still none the wiser. I understand they have wear indicators (little circles) which when visible suggest they need to be changed, but on the other hand have also read that the circles are also sometimes visible on new cars with new PCCB's? Im no technician and its all internet research so I could be wrong

Therefore was wondering if anyone here could offer an opinion on my PCCB's and the wear indicators, and tell me what they think? Car has 29k miles from new and I purchased it at 28k miles.

Any input is much appreciated

Thank you

Pics are both rear as fronts were less visible

Rear Right


Rear Left (circle is at the bottom)

[thebraketester]

Usually they have a "minimum thickness" stamped on the bell. Shouldn't be to hard to work out the % worn

[Magic919]

They are usually assessed by weight.

[JKay]

Thanks I'll measure them Against the minimum Thickness and also try to get them Weighed.

Does that mean those circles aren't much of an indicator ? As far as I know my
Specialist based this change on the indicators

Thanks

[cayman-black]

From the pictures they don't look bad, i,ve seen much worse.

[isaldiri]

cayman-black said:

From the pictures they don't look bad, i,ve seen much worse.

^this. The surface doesn't look anywhere near as buggered as it can be. OP, what's your pad wear rate like? If it's unusually high then it's also possibly a sign the rotor is going to give up the ghost.

[Mousem40]

From the pictures yours have plenty of life left in them! Forget about those wear indicators, they show up way too early. Porsche themselves don't even bother weighing them or measuring their thickness they first use a visual chart, I've seen the chart, and from that I'd say yours are in great shape. They become mottled with increasing wear with matt dark grey patches, and yours have pretty much none of that.

My previous cars ceramics and my current cars ceramics are worn more than that and I have my car serviced at Porsche every year and they've never mentioned disc wear or a need to replace, so I'm not sure why your Indy says the opposite.

As you were.

Edited by Mousem40 on Sunday 11th September 12:04

[JKay]

That's good to hear!!

As for the question on pad wear rate, I haven't owned the car long enough yet (only done circa 1000 miles) but it'something I'll Need to keep an eye on

Changing PCCB's is not something I was expecting to have do on a (new to me) 28,000 mile car, unless the previous owner liked driving everywhere with the handbrake on or something.

[Magic919]

The handbrake won't use those.

[cayman-black]

JKay said:

That's good to hear!!

As for the question on pad wear rate, I haven't owned the car long enough yet (only done circa 1000 miles) but it'something I'll Need to keep an eye on

Changing PCCB's is not something I was expecting to have do on a (new to me) 28,000 mile car, unless the previous owner liked driving everywhere with the handbrake on or something.

The only thing that wears them is track use or harsh wheel cleaner. What Porsche is this?

[JKay]

It's an MY08 997.1 Turbo....

Previous owner may very well have tracked it although on my post purchase inspection they reckon it had never been tracked (not sure what the basis of this was tho)

I'm not planning to track the car myself but do (strangely enough) enjoy the odd spirited drive

Might see if I can get them measured properly just to satisfy my curiosity. I tried with a ruler earlier and didn't get very good readings. It says minimum thickness should be 27.7mm and 33.8mm respectively

They certainly still feel strong to me but I'm no expert and would hate to replace them if not required

[cayman-black]

JKay there is a specialist on here who sells the CCbs at really good price if you ever need hopefully they will read this post.
Fast road use will not harm them at all so just enjoy!

[Magic919]

I thought the PCCB replacement business went pear-shaped.

[cayman-black]

Magic919 said:

I thought the PCCB replacement business went pear-shaped.

Oh did they ? i just remember a PHer posting a lot a while back about well priced replacements.

[JKay]

cayman-black said:

JKay there is a specialist on here who sells the CCbs at really good price if you ever need hopefully they will read this post.
Fast road use will not harm them at all so just enjoy!

Hold that thought, but I hope I won't be needing them, that is of course if they haven't gone out of business as suggested. Might you be able to point me in the right direction just in case?

Thanks Cayman-Black

[Magic919]

cayman-black said:

Magic919 said:

I thought the PCCB replacement business went pear-shaped.

Oh did they ? i just remember a PHer posting a lot a while back about well priced replacements.

Yeah, they parted ways. Someone on here was reporting being well out of pocket too, with no discs.

[hopeydaze]

A year ago there were lots of posts about refurbing discs and then it went silent.

I would say that fast road use causes negligible wear compared to a track day. I did a couple of track days at Castle Combe on my previous car and I remember being able to stand on the PCCB brakes at the end of Hammerdown Straight before going into Tower Corner. Great fun, however a bit wearing on the brakes. I doubt you would ever brake like that on the road except in an emergency.

[HokumPokum]

They look brand new to me........

once worn the visual signs are obvious. they get patchy and rough to the touch.

and don't worry about tracking it. it'll be fine unless you don't cool down your brakes, stay out longer than you should on track and actually CAN drive (most people i.e. 99% can't).

[Slippydiff]

OP, they look fine, no signs of delamination or advanced oxidation. Keep chucking pads at them once they're 50% worn (the thicker, newer pads are more efficient and run cooler).

When they start to look like this you've got a problem :



but judging by the images you've posted, you're a long way off that

PCCB refurbishment info here :

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=150...

The OP no longer is an agent for Sicom as Sicom reneged on various aspects of his agreement, primarily delivery times.
Personally should you find the PCCBs on your car wear out, I'd chat to Alcon or one of their agents about their CCX PCCB replacments :

http://alcon-brakes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/alcon-c...

Edited by Slippydiff on Monday 12th September 10:54

[JKay]

Thanks for that picture slippydiff it really puts things into perspective