sanding my rotors? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Steve Tinker · 05-23-2011, 04:27 PM

I've changed pads on a dozen different cars and never "sanded" them!!

If the rotors are within spec for thickness and are not heavily grooved, glazed or rusted (especially at the back of the rotor) I would just blow out the cross drill holes - they tend to hold brake dust - and fit the new pads and wires.

I found when I fitted new pads (Texstar) to my Boxster S last year, it pays to follow the break in procedure as per manufacturers instructions. This makes a big difference to overall braking efficiency and lifespan for the new pads.

Jager · 05-23-2011, 04:36 PM

I replace the rotors when I replace the pads... It's a Porsche!!

Jager

jhandy · 05-23-2011, 04:54 PM

The rotors have been replaced. They are new. They do not need to be replaced, Porsche or not.

The questions is not to remove imperfections, rather do I bother removing the thin invisible film that all pads place on the rotors.

the theory is that the film from the OEM pads will bleed into the new compound and do something bad.

Jager · 05-23-2011, 05:00 PM

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You have new rotors and the brake warning light came on? Are you saying the rotors were replaced but not the brake pads?

WhipE350 · 05-23-2011, 05:27 PM

Heck, too much science going on here...my rear rotors are 11 years old, threw on new pads did the normal high speed break in and they work great!
On the front I needed new rotors and pads, I put on Mintex pads drove for a 1000 miles, hated the dust and put on Akebono, did the break in again and they work fantastic and no dust at all.
Think I have heard this concern before and maybe I don't know much, but I think you would be fine to put new pads on, heat'em up good and you'll be real happy.
Good luck!

blue2000s · 05-23-2011, 05:53 PM

The pads are constantly wearing down the rotors, so the thin layer from the old pads will soon wear off. Bedding helps to get the naked rotors coated with the pad material but after that, the rotors are constantly getting "bedded" as they wear thinner. If you just put on your new pads and run through the manufacturer's bedding process, you should be good to go.

Lil bastard · 05-23-2011, 08:25 PM

Get some #40 sandpaper and a piece of 2X4 as a block and sand them (both sides). This is not rocket science or hard to do at all - Hold the block on the rotor and turn the wheel. With the wheel off to swap the pads anyway, it will only add 10 min. to the job.

Pads bed-in partly by depositing a layer of material on the rotor and the interaction of this layer with the pad creates the most efficient braking.

Different material from different pads are not usually compatible or consistent with the most efficient braking. This is why you want to sand the rotors - to remove the old material, so a good layer of the new material can be laid down.

Cheers!