Brake Discs Hairline Cracks on Big Reds.....
Discussion
Has anyone had experience of these with porkers. I've just had a call from the garage telling me the front discs on my car have "hairline cracks" which are probably caused by overheating. Saying as the car only has 8k miles on, of which 7750 were road miles and 250 under "track dawdling" conditions I'm a little concerned about the quality of the brake discs used. I'm even more surprised as I've never even experienced brake fade with the car, so how the hell is the problem caused by overheating.
DAZ
DAZ
Has anyone had experience of these with porkers. I've just had a call from the garage telling me the front discs on my car have "hairline cracks" which are probably caused by overheating. Saying as the car only has 8k miles on, of which 7750 were road miles and 250 under "track dawdling" conditions I'm a little concerned about the quality of the brake discs used. I'm even more surprised as I've never even experienced brake fade with the car, so how the hell is the problem caused by overheating.
DAZ
???
??? Manufacturing fault? I'd try the - "so....are discs supposed to last only 8K? These haven't. Can't have been manufactured properly then could they? I know they're consumable but that short a service life isn't acceptable!" etc etc
We had discs replaced on our Chim. Under twelve months later they had warped. Replaced under warranty (!) by Hawthorns. Good chaps.
Are they telling you that you'll have to pay, Daz? Edited to say: Never had disc problems on any of the Porsches I've owned. Two Boxsters and one old 911.
>> Edited by Don on Wednesday 2nd April 14:18
Don said:Are they telling you that you'll have to pay, Daz? Edited to say: Never had disc problems on any of the Porsches I've owned. Two Boxsters and one old 911.
I think they expected me to say get on with fitting new ones. I've told them I'm pretty fcuking far from happy, so they are taking digital photos and sending them to Porsche GB to comment. I will be collecting the car later today, hopefully Porsche GB will be agreeing to do the work under warranty. However this ends up you can be sure I will be voicing my concerns so that all within 20 miles are clear on my thoughts.
regards
DAZ
Daz,
Clubsport(Paul) is the man to ask........he posted on the Ferrari forum,saying that he has experienced this many
times on Porkers after track day use.Can be prevented by clearing the holes out after a track run according to his mechanic.Not going to help much on this occassion but maybe in the future. I not saying you shouldn't try and claim through Porsche GB though!
Steve
>> Edited by sb930turbo (moderator) on Wednesday 2nd April 16:01
Clubsport(Paul) is the man to ask........he posted on the Ferrari forum,saying that he has experienced this many
times on Porkers after track day use.Can be prevented by clearing the holes out after a track run according to his mechanic.Not going to help much on this occassion but maybe in the future. I not saying you shouldn't try and claim through Porsche GB though!
Steve
>> Edited by sb930turbo (moderator) on Wednesday 2nd April 16:01
Er, I think you will find this is pretty common on drilled disks + performance Porsche + trackdays. You dont have to do 7000 miles for it, just a few hundred hard braking track miles. When cracks get to 10mm I'd replace,ie before they join up the holes 
... you just need to think about the disks being a consumable just like pads and tyres if you are doing tracks. I never had it with a 'cooking' 993 Carrera 2 or 996 Carrera 2, but do get it with 964RS. Even if you get Porsche to pay for a new set it is likely to happen again...maybe others can comment ?
... you just need to think about the disks being a consumable just like pads and tyres if you are doing tracks. I never had it with a 'cooking' 993 Carrera 2 or 996 Carrera 2, but do get it with 964RS. Even if you get Porsche to pay for a new set it is likely to happen again...maybe others can comment ?Scottster recently got some dosh out of PCGB, where there was a genuine manufacturing fault (old 993 wiring harness having shite insulation that caused a hazardous short). It took him two attempts (the gave him the big bugger off the first time around) and he had to be a little forceful, but they eventually played ball.
Problem will be whether they were 'fit for purpose' - I'd say that 8k miles is low, but 250 track miles is more than some people do on the track in a year (I know your laps were bigger). I am on your side, but they may play the old 'road car' argument.
I would go for an upgrade to ceramics and ask them to cover a large proportion of the cost, otherwise you'll get the digi camera out and start snapping on behalf of What Car?
ATB
Dom
Problem will be whether they were 'fit for purpose' - I'd say that 8k miles is low, but 250 track miles is more than some people do on the track in a year (I know your laps were bigger
). I am on your side, but they may play the old 'road car' argument. I would go for an upgrade to ceramics and ask them to cover a large proportion of the cost, otherwise you'll get the digi camera out and start snapping on behalf of What Car?
ATB
Dom
I've heard the same as oldtimer, the cracks are common on drilled discs, but not a problem until they meet. Perhaps 9M could give a more informed opinion?
As for ceramic discs, I've heard from 3 different sources (all GT2 owners at Oulton Park on the 22/03) that they are not all they are cracked up to be. Lack of feel and fade can occur particularly when they get hot.
As for ceramic discs, I've heard from 3 different sources (all GT2 owners at Oulton Park on the 22/03) that they are not all they are cracked up to be. Lack of feel and fade can occur particularly when they get hot.
Daz
Common problem, I've had the holes join up and bits fly off!, I use solid discs for racing because of this problem (trouble is these warp, new set every 300 miles). Porsche discs are the best (unless you start talking AP Racing etc), so slow down (yeh, right!!) or don't brake
Paul
Common problem, I've had the holes join up and bits fly off!, I use solid discs for racing because of this problem (trouble is these warp, new set every 300 miles). Porsche discs are the best (unless you start talking AP Racing etc), so slow down (yeh, right!!) or don't brake
Paul
PCCB
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes
About a 5500 quid option on the 996 Turbo and C4S i think, and standard on the 996 GT2.
Special ceramic composite disks with appropriate pads, they reckon these disks will last 100,000+ miles and supposedly don't suffer fade because their overheat temperature is about 3 times higher than normal disks and pads.
Believe what you will.
VS
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes
About a 5500 quid option on the 996 Turbo and C4S i think, and standard on the 996 GT2.
Special ceramic composite disks with appropriate pads, they reckon these disks will last 100,000+ miles and supposedly don't suffer fade because their overheat temperature is about 3 times higher than normal disks and pads.
Believe what you will.
VS
PCCB - I am aware of them. Indeed when ordering the car I tried getting them, but due to a shortage of supply slowing down the GT2 production line, Porsche wouldn't let me have them.
I am aware of owners of cars with PCCB who seriously drive their cars and they are pretty bloody far from impressed with them. Opinions seem to be they may be the technology of the future but they haven't got them right yet.
DAZ
I am aware of owners of cars with PCCB who seriously drive their cars and they are pretty bloody far from impressed with them. Opinions seem to be they may be the technology of the future but they haven't got them right yet.
DAZ
"When cracks get to 10mm I'd replace,i.e. before they join up the holes ... you just need to think about the disks being a consumable just like pads and tyres if you are doing tracks."
I'd second that -drill the dust out of the holes regularly. Front discs on my old C4 would last about 10,000m including a year of track days -I was perfectly happy with that....
Melv
I'd second that -drill the dust out of the holes regularly. Front discs on my old C4 would last about 10,000m including a year of track days -I was perfectly happy with that....
Melv
Sorry Daz, you don't want to hear this but I think that you have very little to complain about.
You are driving one of the worlds fastest production cars, it weighs in laden at over 1.6 tonnes, has over 400bhp and has the best brakes that Porsche have ever made, known by them as their 2000bhp brakes. In my opinion new discs every 8000 miles is a small price to pay, even at £500 per set. I have the same brakes on my 993RSR and they are renewed every year, at 2000 miles per year.
Surface cracking of any Porsche cross drilled disc is perfectly normal, they are usually caused by rapid heat build up (track days a favourite), but are only recognised as a problem when the cracks go through the disc or join the holes together, at which point they must be replaced.
As for the ceramics, yes we can do a set, but Porsche want £4200+VAT each for the disc alone. Call me if you want to order them.
You are driving one of the worlds fastest production cars, it weighs in laden at over 1.6 tonnes, has over 400bhp and has the best brakes that Porsche have ever made, known by them as their 2000bhp brakes. In my opinion new discs every 8000 miles is a small price to pay, even at £500 per set. I have the same brakes on my 993RSR and they are renewed every year, at 2000 miles per year.
Surface cracking of any Porsche cross drilled disc is perfectly normal, they are usually caused by rapid heat build up (track days a favourite), but are only recognised as a problem when the cracks go through the disc or join the holes together, at which point they must be replaced.
As for the ceramics, yes we can do a set, but Porsche want £4200+VAT each for the disc alone. Call me if you want to order them.
Hi 9M
Since hearing the shocking news most people I've spoke to have come up with the same comments as yourself. Along the lines of, do you want to drive like a numpty and the discs last 20k? or occasionally drive like a maniac with the odd Nurburg extravaganza using the car as you intended to when buying it.
I think I'm going to go through an awful lot of these things!!!!!
I note your comment on ceramics but someone I know of has had problems using them on a frequently trackdayed 996tt. Out of interest what do the likes of Gemballa, Ruf, Techart etc put on their 600/750 bhp monster 911's? or do the customers just ignore the cracked discs and change them as frequently as the tyres?
cheers
DAZ
Since hearing the shocking news most people I've spoke to have come up with the same comments as yourself. Along the lines of, do you want to drive like a numpty and the discs last 20k? or occasionally drive like a maniac with the odd Nurburg extravaganza using the car as you intended to when buying it.
I think I'm going to go through an awful lot of these things!!!!!
I note your comment on ceramics but someone I know of has had problems using them on a frequently trackdayed 996tt. Out of interest what do the likes of Gemballa, Ruf, Techart etc put on their 600/750 bhp monster 911's? or do the customers just ignore the cracked discs and change them as frequently as the tyres?
cheers
DAZ
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