First Brake Pad Replacement - Need Some Advice

[darkstormvx]

Maybe I goofed. I chose Textar. Suncoast. I replaced my pads a while ago and I get a squeal at stops half the time. Ill figure that out when it annoys me again

My OEM previous were Textar tho and they lasted a LONG time for daily driving. Around 80000 miles and the backs were still good.

Stay OEM. I remember back in the day when road and track tested the boxster it had the shortest stop distance in the world......Stock.

[WhipE350]

Textar will work great, they too are made by TMD. Go to AdvanceAutoParts, get a can or a bunch of those little packets of brake grease and lay it on good, it should stop the squealing.
You know what I did with mine, took the original dampers, peeled them off the old brakes then used this red (can't remember the name, I can get it for you) brake grease in a bottle I got from AdvanceAutoParts as a stick-um to hold the dampers to the new pads. I then greased the dampers where they touch the caliper pistons real good...never a squeal again. The red grease really isn't a grease and it doesn't work to stop squeaks if used as normal pad grease. I complained to them and told them the stuff sucked and how could they sell it as there best stuff...it is more like a red silicone...thus it worked great as a glue for the dampers. I know all kind of weird but it worked out great in the end (brakes really work great).

[dja1980]

Wow... some great information here... this forum is the best!

I'm not the original owner... bought the car with 25,000 miles in 2006. I racked up most of the miles cruising back and forth on the interstate when I was using it as a daily driver, but then got smart and bought a hybrid when gas got over $4/gal (the first time). The car didn't come with any service records, but I've got to believe the pads and rotors are original... all I know is that the front pads produce A LOT of dust!

I'm going to take a closer look at my rotors tonight to determine if the lip indicates replacement. If so, it looks like Pelican offers, OEM, Sebro, Balo, & Balo Coated. I'm guessing Sebro is what most of you use?

Also, do the vibration dampers come with the stock brakes... and if so are they reusable?

Overdrive... I like the idea of replacing the rotors every 3 sets of pads since this will save me a lot of money, but I believe I have more than a 1mm outer lip on my current rotors.

Pedro... I've used your site in the past... it's a great resource! Do new rotors come with the surface thicker than the lip? I'm almost positive a lip has formed on my rotors.

WhipE350... thanks for the offer. If I'm going to do the job, I'd REALLY like to spend the additional money to get away from dust. I'm sure someone else will take you up on free pads though!

[WhipE350]

Originally Posted by dja1980

Wow... some great information here... this forum is the best!

I'm not the original owner... bought the car with 25,000 miles in 2006. I racked up most of the miles cruising back and forth on the interstate when I was using it as a daily driver, but then got smart and bought a hybrid when gas got over $4/gal (the first time). The car didn't come with any service records, but I've got to believe the pads and rotors are original... all I know is that the front pads produce A LOT of dust!
[I]Sounds like a lot of highway miles that probably good news for life of the rotors. If you have the money just get new ones if warn a fair amount, some really good ones are inexpensive.[/I]

I'm going to take a closer look at my rotors tonight to determine if the lip indicates replacement. If so, it looks like Pelican offers, OEM, Sebro, Balo, & Balo Coated. I'm guessing Sebro is what most of you use?
[I]I got the Balo zinc coated for the front from Pelican, they are very well made, remember I don't track so I'm sure those guys have lots of other stuff they use. On the Bolo rotors I do have one complaint that a little rust has formed where the zinc should have protected them. For the money though they are great and they are made in Germany and I think they are owm for Porsche.[/I]

Also, do the vibration dampers come with the stock brakes... and if so are they reusable?
[I]The front and back came with different dampers on my car. As I indicated I ended up reusing them. The fact is you don't have to, just drop the new brakes in with lots of good grease and they should be good and quiet.[/I]

Overdrive... I like the idea of replacing the rotors every 3 sets of pads since this will save me a lot of money, but I believe I have more than a 1mm outer lip on my current rotors.
[I]If your like me I like knowing 'new' is on my car...if you can afford...get new ones...up to you.[/I]

Pedro... I've used your site in the past... it's a great resource! Do new rotors come with the surface thicker than the lip? I'm almost positive a lip has formed on my rotors.

WhipE350... thanks for the offer. If I'm going to do the job, I'd REALLY like to spend the additional money to get away from dust. I'm sure someone else will take you up on free pads though!

[I]I have Akebono on the front/back on 2009 benz...love them.. Have them on front of Porsche love them again. I don't have experience with other non-dust type pads but I can attest mine all work great and my rotors aren't wearing abnormally.[/I]

Like Padro says, probably can resuse sensors. Pull them off and look before you order, it's pretty clear how they function, you'll be able to tell. I will say when I got my Porsche last Nov this is where I got my feet wet, I've done so many more things to the car and am totally confident about my fall project where I will replace clutch, IMS, and RMS. If you are mechanically inclined at all you'll catch on real fast.
Good luck.

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by dja1980

Overdrive... I like the idea of replacing the rotors every 3 sets of pads since this will save me a lot of money, but I believe I have more than a 1mm outer lip on my current rotors.

Looks like your pads lasted you quite some time, not a bad thing at all. While your mileage will vary based on your driving habits, of course, if you have any doubt, be willing to spend the money and put on new rotors. Personally, I feel that when it comes to tires and brakes, I'm willing to spend the money to get what I need to be safe. When things go south, at the very least you want to be able to slow/stop properly, so don't cheap out for the sake of saving a few bucks, because there are still times where you get what you pay for.

[pompous]

Get the caliper bolts!! I wished I had done it before this last brake change. If you intend to keep the care for very many miles, it might just save you a headache. JMO

[jcb986]

I did mine and bought Balo Rotors and Mintex Pads from Pelican Parts. The Balo rotors are German made and at one time a OEM parts supplier. Now it stops a lot better than before.

[texomawaves]

Are there any brands of rotor and pads to avoid? I even called Autozone and they said they had them in stock.