PPI feedback - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

fragdude · 07-16-2008, 09:51 PM

Boxster clutches are only meant to last 30-45k miles, so it may be time for a clutch replacement. And if the previous owner told the mechanic to look at the clutch and the car had ~30k miles (I'm assuming thats probably the last time the guy went to the mechanic because thats what the service manual says) then the clutch would have been replaced. Changing or looking at the clutch requires a fair amount of labor (the transmission and muffler need to be removed). So if its the original clutch, it probably needs to be changed soon.

As per the comparison between your Fire Hawk and the boxster, the boxster is going to feel softer. My brother had an 01 camaro SS and that clutch was heavier than my boxsters.

You don't need to change the brake rotors if you change the brake pads when they get low. However, if you drive the car with the pads worn out you can cause damage to the rotor. It may be light damage which would just require the rotors being "turned" (resurfaced), this is not possible on the Boxster S with drilled rotors, the rotors would need to be changed. But the damage can be so bad that the rotors warp. You would feel the steering wheel shake under braking if the rotors are warped.

As for the sensors, you may have to change those when you change the brake pads. I am not 100% sure about that. But even if the sensors are bad on the pads or not, who cares? you just wont get the warning indication on the dash when he pads are low and would have to keep an eye on the brakes after 30-40k miles of driving. And if you want the indicator light, its like a 20 dollar part. I think you would be able to put it on a slightly used part...I dunno

Hopefully this helps, and if anyone notices something wrong in my post feel free to correct me. I would hate to have a guy misguided by myself.

And congrats on deciding to get a Boxster!

fragdude · 07-16-2008, 10:06 PM

On a side note, if you do/did buy the car and decided to change the clutch or when you do replace it, it would be a good idea to install an updated Rear Main Seal at that time. The part costs 10-20 dollars and should be close to 0 Labor

Lil bastard · 07-16-2008, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fragdude

On a side note, if you do/did buy the car and decided to change the clutch or when you do replace it, it would be a good idea to install an updated Rear Main Seal at that time. The part costs 10-20 dollars and should be close to 0 Labor

Have to disagree. If the current seal is good - don't mess with it. Seals often fail due to improper installation and you run this risk unecessarily if you swap the seal when it's not needed.

fragdude · 07-16-2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

Have to disagree. If the current seal is good - don't mess with it. Seals often fail due to improper installation and you run this risk unecessarily if you swap the seal when it's not needed.

Hmm, interesting idea. Haven't heard that before, but it kinda makes sense. I would consider a seal swap because the new ones are supposed to have finally fixed the RMS leak issue. I would prolly do what a mechanic says about that though.

Mike_Yi · 07-16-2008, 10:58 PM

Of course, the dealer recommended the RMS update "since the trans would be off anyway." It's not leaking though .

Lil bastard · 07-16-2008, 10:07 PM

30k-45k mi. on the clutch is a little early (if the guy knows how to drive a manual).

Pads last usually 35k mi. or so (exclusive of tracking the car). Rotors typically last through 2 sets of pads... or approx. 70k mi. So Rotors should be good, but to check, mic them and make sure that they are at minimum 22.0mm (Fr) and 18.0mm (Rr).

Wear Sensors are replaced as needed - if they've been worn through, they need replacing to eliminate the MIL on the dash (many people eliminate them by cable tying them out of the way so they always indicate OK).