Time for Brakes

[TriGem2k]

Brake Wear light went on yesterday on my way home from work. Perviously had the brakes changed at the dealer ship, but i was looking into doing it myself this time or taking it to an idependant shop near my house.

How hard is it to do a brake job on the boxsters? Anything specific i need to watch out for? What kind of Pads and Rotors should i use? I was looking into crossdrilled rotors as i like they way they look. Anyone used crossdrilled on a non S 986?

Anyone with advise please post, this will be the first brake job i have done myself if i choose that path.

Thanks,
James

[TurboKuake]

So there is a light for when your brakes need replacing? I know there are sensors on the pads.

I've had my '97 box for about a month now, and thought the brakes needed changing cause they squeel a little when i stop. Should i wait till i see a brake light on the dash?

For your question, i would definately recommend doing the job elsewhere than the dealership. If you're handy with tools you can do it yourself fairly easily, rotors as well. Alot of people opt for lower dust pads to keep their wheels nicer. I've heard alot of people use Mintex ones... seen them on e-bay about $100 or so for all four wheels. As far as the cross-drilled rotors i don't see why not. They look nice!

[TriGem2k]

Originally Posted by TurboKuake

So there is a light for when your brakes need replacing? I know there are sensors on the pads.

I've had my '97 box for about a month now, and thought the brakes needed changing cause they squeel a little when i stop. Should i wait till i see a brake light on the dash?

For your question, i would definately recommend doing the job elsewhere than the dealership. If you're handy with tools you can do it yourself fairly easily, rotors as well. Alot of people opt for lower dust pads to keep their wheels nicer. I've heard alot of people use Mintex ones... seen them on e-bay about $100 or so for all four wheels. As far as the cross-drilled rotors i don't see why not. They look nice!

Thanks for your reply.

As far as your question. I usually wait til the light goes on in the dash. Some people i know dont replace sensors because its somewhat of a hassle as ive read. Right now my light has only come on once and turned off. I will replace when it is steadily on. Thats usually about another week or so.

[xclusivecar]

Don't wait for the light as the only indicator to change pads! Many a Boxster owner has tied the sensor up and out of the way when they last changed their brakes. They do this because :

1) The sensor costs money to replace and they check their brakes regularly anyhow.

2) They are using brake pads without the drilled area to accept the Porsche brake sensor.

If you think your due, have the pads thickness measured and make a decision this way. Waiting for the light to come on can get very expensive!

[TriGem2k]

Originally Posted by xclusivecar

Don't wait for the light as the only indicator to change pads! Many a Boxster owner has tied the sensor up and out of the way when they last changed their brakes. They do this because :

1) The sensor costs money to replace and they check their brakes regularly anyhow.

2) They are using brake pads without the drilled area to accept the Porsche brake sensor.

If you think your due, have the pads thickness measured and make a decision this way. Waiting for the light to come on can get very expensive!

Sensors are $12.00 or so? How expensive can it get? I have never done a brake job myself. So this will be the first. I found some great stuff to help me out on renntech.org, but any other info you guys got will definitly be useful.

[xclusivecar]

I'm not necessarily talking about the $12 to $20 sensors. Most people get their brakes done when something is already wrong...like grinding sounds or brake shudder. Now your looking at rotors, pads, labor, it adds up quickly since I believe you cannot turn the rotors on a Porsche. (Not sure but this is what I have heard).
What I am saying is if you wait for the brake light to go on and the previous owner had this sensor removed you will be waiting for a large repair bill since this light will never go on to warn you. Get the pad thickness measured to be sure of an approximate time before they are due for a change. You can measure them yourself very easily if so inclined. This gives piece of mind instead of just "waiting for the light" and you can change your own pads VERY easily!
In short...the light should ONLY be there to be a final warning to you to change your pads. YOU should be aware of your cars needs before the car finally tells you something is wrong.


BTW-After you have changed the first set of pads you will be amazed how easy it is to do on this car! It will take longer to take the wheel off than the change the pads!