Brake job...

[Porschekid]

My rotors are starting to wear a little thin and it may be time to replace them before inspection. I got a quote of $480 for 4 crossdrilled zinc-plated Zimmermen rotors and Pagid brake pads w/ new sensors. Does this sound like a good deal? Should changing the brakes be easy enough for someone who is technically minded with simple tools and a Bentley car manual? I've swapped the pads/rotors on my old Nissan Altima. I also have some Super Blue brake fluid laying around... should I replace my fluid with this stuff while i'm at it? I would assume bleeding the brake lines is a 2-man job but i've never done it before.

Any help is appreciated.

[tgarnoldo]

It is a relatively easy job, you just need to take your time and read the manual. Clean the Caliper bolts threads before reinstalling ann make sure you torque everything to the factory specs with a good torque wrench. As for bleeding the brakes, I find that the best way is with 2 people. And always, repeat always use brake fluid form a fresh sealed can. If the stuff you have laying around is opened... dispose of it...

Arnie

[derb]

Don't forget to replace the caliper bolts. Porsche recommends that they be replaced if they are removed. Part 999.067.041.09 and they should be around $3 each, you need 8. Use a M12x1.5 thread chaser to clean the threads on the wheel carriers. Torque to 63 ft-lbs.
Also, the spring clip and retainer pins need to be replaced- again, Porsche recommends it. The repair kit is the same for front and rear- 996.352.959.01. You need two kits and they are around $50 each.
Double check those part numbers for your model year.

Your quote of 480 for rotors, pads and sensors seems reasonable.

Regards,
derb

[FrayAdjacent]

That price doesn't sound bad if it's for FOUR rotors, and all the pads and sensors. If that is for all that INSTALLED, IMHO, that's a GREAT price.

DIY is not very difficult for brakes... it's just turning some bolts and screws. Get a bottle of PB Blaster ahead of time. It helps on bolts that need a little 'encouragement'.

I haven't heard of replacing the bolts, but it can't hurt. You could also skip the wear sensors if your current ones are not worn or have broken leads. There's absolutely no need to swap them if they are still good. (and they're like $13 each... saves you $50 right there!)


BLEEDING:

If you haven't done it, it's a good idea. You won't really be 'bleeding' the brakes, you'll be 'flushing' the system. Check your reservoir, if it's offwhite/brownish fluid, then get some of the blue fluid. That way when you're pumping the fluid out, you'll know when you've got completely new fluid.

Get a set of Speed Bleeders, too, and you can technically do the job yourself.

Start with the passenger rear wheel (furthest from the reservoir), open the bleed screw, use some small hose and a jar to catch the old fluid, and pump it while frequently topping off the reservoir with new fluid. Repeat until it's all new fluid coming out. Close up the bleed screw, and move to the driver's rear wheel. Then the front passenger and front driver's wheel.

Make sure you keep the reservoir filled!! If it drops and you suck air into the system, THEN you will be 'bleeding' the brakes.

It's really simple, but somewhat timeconsuming. I've read that it's recommended to flush your brake fluid every 3 years or so.

Also be careful, brake fluid will DESTROY paint!!

[Porschekid]

Thanks for the tips. So basically for the fluid I should open the screw and pump the brakes while someone else keeps topping off the fluid (doing each wheel in the order you described) and try to watch until the blue fluid comes out? As long as the reservoir doesn't go dry I won't have to bleed?

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

With ABS, all cars should be power bled. That means you need a power bleeder - http://www.motiveproducts.com/02bleeders.html which actually makes it a one-man job and reduces the opportunities to spill Brake Fluid.

You do need to replace the Caliper Mounting Bolts as these fasteners are made to stretch when initially torqued to insure they don't back-out (very Bad), but they only stretch once. Porsche doesn't recommend replacing bolts except in a very few instances and this is one of them, it's best to take heed - reusing them poses a high risk of shearing one off as you torque it to 63 ft.lbs., that'll cost a whole lot more than the cost of new bolts.

ATE makes their Super Brake Fluid in 2 contrasting colors - Gold and Blue, exact same stuff, just a different color. Use the color which contrasts with the one you already have. When you see the new color appear, you've purged all the old fluid - plan on 2 Litres of the stuff for a complete job and be sure to bleed the Clutch as well to remove all the old fluid so as not to contaminate the new - the Clutch and Brakes share the same Fluid Reservoir, so the fluid will mix. You need to replace the fluid every 2 years because it gets dirty and absorbs moisture (as much as 8% in 2 years) which will corrode the system and reduce Braking and Clutch efficiency.

Replace the Brake Hardware as good insurance that you won't have a Pad hang up and hasten both it's and the Rotors wear. Cheap insurance.

Also, I would not recommend the Cross-drilled Rotors. These cannot be machined, are prone to cracking and will wear the pads much more quickly (especially the OEM Pagids) with only a very mild (unnoticeable) increase in braking efficiency. You don't need this extra efficiency, especially at the higher cost and shortened interval of maintenance. These are for the Track where cost and service intervals mean nothing - for the street thay are pure aesthetic.

If you get the OEM Ventilated rotors, I always like to have these balanced. I have found that they are often very inexact and can induce some wheel shimmy. Any competant machine shop will balance them for about $5 usually while you wait.

Otherwise, the procedure is very straightforward and you can save a bundle doing it yourself.

Well, I've just added about $150 to your Brake Job, but it's the right way to do it. Your Brakes are the most important system on the Car don't scrimp here - You can't have the GO without the Whoa!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99