When to change brakes and fluid?

[Stunin_Stud]

Hey guys just wondering when I should change my pads or rotors or both and brake fluid? Im currently at 29,XXX miles and havent been driving my car too much lately. The rotors have a slight lip but I dont know how much would mean changing. brakes dont squeek much. I just hear about people changing it around 30K thats why I thought I ask

how much does a brake job cost (rotors, pads, fluid) shop and DYI?

Thanks!

[70Sixter]

Brake fluid every two years unless you track. I'll have to look for the price.

Pads and rotors are dependent on type of driving you do. Definitely won't want to scar the rotors, tho.

[ChrisZang]

agree, brake fluid every two years unless you track then it should be once / year
DYI costs:
* initially you need the "power bleeder" equipment and the catch bottles, around $80
* 2 liter of ATE super blue = 2 x $15 (you need just a tad more than 1 liter, so you need to buy two
* problem: I still need to find a place in the Bay Area who takes used brake fluid

pads:
well, when the "break wear light" comes on it's time to start thinking about changing them
DYI costs: rank from $150 ~ $400 depended on what kind of pads you want to use

rotors:
you need to measure the thickness of the rotors and compare it against Porsche recommendation, I don't have the values handy but should be easy to google
costs: around $600 for the rotors and you also need a few bolts ($40 ?)

If you have everything done at the dealer:
(wild guess) $2k ~ $3k

here are really good DYI instructions:
http://www.bombaydigital.com/boxster/projects/brakes/

[ChrisZang]

Hi,

one more thing:
do you have a picture of your "LED exterior lighting"?

I just bought a set of "super bright white LEDs" to use as daytime driving lights and am still deciding it they look to "rice"

Thanks

[70Sixter]

My last brake fluid change in April was $96 + $30 for fluid.

Haven't decided about next one now that I'm off warranty. Wanted everything "on the record." Probably will get the Motive bleeder.

I don't track but I think they require monthly changes in PCA. Maybe just every track session. Someone will likely correct me.

[LowFlyR]

I did my fronts about 2 months ago. Rotors & Mintex pads from Ebay $139:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130219301251
Bolts ($2.19 ea) and hardware kit from Sunset. Total $34.58 shipped.

Rears I did 4th of July, from Sunset: Rotors were 110.03 ea, caliper hdwr kit 34.58 and 4 caliper bolts 2.19 each. UPS ground was 25.00. Autohauz has a little cheaper prises, but they were out, when I needed them. I almost forgot sensors (29.99) and pads (65.70) from Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280235590278
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140240604903

Total for everything shipped $585.76.

These were for '01 S also.

I still need to change fluid, paint the calibers and and get steel braided hoses

[neverinxs]

I had the brakes on my 00 Boxster done at the dealer. This was the second time. I replaced the rotors at 30K and now again at 60K, The total cost was about $950.00 each time.

[NickCats]

Wow ! $950 for a brake job at the dealer

I did my brakes last September - $287 for parts :

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13151

Nick

[FTD]

Originally Posted by 70Sixter

My last brake fluid change in April was $96 + $30 for fluid.

Haven't decided about next one now that I'm off warranty. Wanted everything "on the record." Probably will get the Motive bleeder.

I don't track but I think they require monthly changes in PCA. Maybe just every track session. Someone will likely correct me.

Normal flush schedule is every two years. Peachstate PCA representatives recommended once a year if you track. I learned how to flush the brakes and it is tooo easy. [See DIY section on this forum].

[LowFlyR]

Originally Posted by NickCats

I did my brakes last September - $287 for parts :

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13151

Nick

There is a big difference in brake part prices for S and non-S.

[jmatta]

I highly recommend flushing after each track weekend; especially if you are a novice driver (hard on brakes). Fluid is cheap and you don't want to risk a soft pedal for mere pennies.

[NickCats]

Originally Posted by LowFlyR

There is a big difference in brake part prices for S and non-S.

Actually, it's not that big of a difference :

[LowFlyR]

Originally Posted by NickCats

I did my brakes last September - $287 for parts :


Nick

I'm sorry, I don't have time to do price comparison tables. I just looked what YOU wrote about non-S brake part cost against what I paid after looking for 2 months.
You $287
Me $585

To me, that is a big difference.

[NickCats]

No problem. After I saw your post, I wondered how much of a difference it was, so I figured I would look it up.

Also, I forgot, the $287 I stated was only for the FRONT brakes

My bad...

Nick

[LowFlyR]

Originally Posted by NickCats

No problem. After I saw your post, I wondered how much of a difference it was, so I figured I would look it up.

Also, I forgot, the $287 I stated was only for the FRONT brakes

My bad...

Nick

All good. I'm sorry about the mess.