Do I need new brakes?

[ParkerG]

I had my car serviced at Porsche last month, nothing untoward was reported and the health check shows (what I thought) slightly worn brakes but still with decent life remaining.



This weekend for peace of mind I thought I’d check over the car myself and I can’t help but think the brakes are a lot more worn than reported?




This wouldn’t normally be a problem, I’d order the parts and get round to fitting them in due course, but I’m going the Nurburgring in a couple of days and I’m really struggling to either source the parts or get it booked into a garage in time.

Admittedly I don’t intend to do many laps and I don’t drive the ring at maximum attack for the obvious reasons, but am I going to run into problems? In which case if I can’t get it sorted then I’ll just be watching from the side of the track!

Lastly, if I do manage to get the parts, do I need new caliper bolts? E.g. are they stretch bolts?

[fossilfuelled]

Depends how many laps you will be doing... but they should be fine.
Contact Freddy at SPECIAL BRAKES Zehntweg , 53520 Meuspath when you are there if you are worried. Great prices and friendly service. He usually just gives me access to the workshop for me to DIY if I need anything. He keep most common pads and discs in stock. I wouldn't worry too much about the calliper bolts. Replaced them the first couple of times, but now I just reuse and torque to spec.
Don't forget your locking wheel nut

Have a safe trip!

[G-996]

Calliper bolts are supposed to be replaced each time you undo them. I would imagine Porsche dealerships would have them in stock if you were in a hurry.

[bgunn]

You won't get the best out of those brakes, but they're not deadly low.

If you can get pads and caliper bolts, do. Don't push the fluid back into the system either, loosen a bleed nipple when you retract the pistons, then replace the lost fluid if needed.

[stuttgartmetal]

The bolts are about £4.50 eacg
Good old Porsche
Rely on them to squeeze the blood out of a stone

Reuse the bolts
Torque them right up
Don’t use any copperease on anything.
Bleed new fluid into the system sequentially replacing all the fluid

[ParkerG]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Whats the problem running low pads, besides the obvious that you could run out? I'm guessing its all about heat resistance (more pad = more controllable heat) or is there more to it?

[ChrisW.]

The problem is:

1. Excessive heat transfer from the disc vial the calliper to the fluid

2. Pad material can break down and at the best cause the backing plate to score the disc and at the worst block the calliper ... resulting potentially in a lock-up.

3. Cause a worn disc to crack and block the calliper or break-up with potentially catastrophic results.

[ParkerG]

Thanks.

Receiving new pads and caliper bolts tomorrow! Such a shame this car doesn't have open calipers anymore, wonder why they changed.