Lack of response from brakes ?

Hi all, Having bought a Carrera 4 towards the end of last year, (944 owner previously) I'm finding the brakes do not 'bite' too well when braking. It seems the pedal has to be pushed too hard to get a decent response ? Could this be the pads at all ? Though they are virtually brand new ??? Not sure if they are a racing spec though ???? Anyone with a similar experience ????? - I'd welcome some advice. Many thanks.

Hi, Symptoms appear to be that the brakes work, but you have to apply a lot of pedal pressure, is that correct? It could be glazed or corroded rotors or a defective servo. First step would be to remove the road wheels and check the condition of the rotors. Use an abrasive paper to lightly sand and deglaze the surfaces or remove corrosion. Clean the surfaces with aerosol brake cleaner or thinners. For best results, also remove the pads and lightly sand the surfaces to break the glaze before replacing. NB. New pads do take some miles to bed in. Hope this helps! Regards, Clive

Alan, its probably severe corrosion on the inner face of the rotors. For some bizarre reason, a rotor that looks perfectly healthy on the outer surface when you peer through the spokes can be rotted to hell and back on the inner hidden surface. I just had this experience with my car. Fortunately the fix is quite cheap. Design 911 and Porcheshop sell brake replacement kits at very reasonable price which tells you it is a common problem. It's something that probably affects lightly used garage queens even worse that well used cars. Have a look at yours and let me know what you find.

As others say - almost certainly the rotors (discs). The previous owner probably washed the car and was in the habit of putting it away without taking it for a run to dry the discs - this is a sure fire way to get the effect described.

Replacement would be the last resort, but usually they can be refurbished unless seriously scored, pitted or worn beyond factory tolerances. Regards, Clive

Not sure I agree with that. The state my discs were in, you would not have wanted to keep them on the car. The discs had done less than 10,000 miles and looked fine on the outside. The price of replacement is not much more than refurbishment anyway, so long as you use independent supply rather trhan Porsche. Sebro is highly regarded.

I know one person who had a 996 Carrera 4 from new who complained from the start about poor "bite" from the brakes. Interesting you both used the same word. Lots of attention from the PC, Porsche etc and lots of bits changed but no improvement. Eventually swapped it for a 997 C4S with a transformation in braking. So it may not be discs, pads, or anything else that has deteriorated with age.....

When I first bought my C4S I felt a bit let down by the brakes, expecting a lot from the turbo stoppers. Was told the pads/discs were fine by a mate who has a performance company. I had the fluid changed and that sharpened it up a bit but I had to re-educate myself as I had transfered from a 320D Beemer which was heavily servo'd. I use them differently now and they are brilliant brakes. Could be unrelated to your issue but thought I'd share nevertheless. Let us know how you get on.

i think my c4s brakes feel a lot like an un-servoed car for the first inch of pedal travel then they come on strong , don't think theres anything wrong with them just that most modern cars are well over servoed , they do get a lot better when warm , mines having a fluid change in OPC in a few weeks i'll let you know if they improve Rob

Guys, I too have felt like the brakes on my C4S leave a little to be desired as they don't 'grab' under normal braking & most definately not under heavier braking but they do STOP the car.... Thought it was just the 'norm' with ABS as not driven a car with it before! Discs have ALL been 'skimmed', pads are good & fluid change was done at 48k service last April. However they do like to rust on with the slightest of moisture, I now chock the wheels & release handbrake in the garage but it doesn't cure the problem entirely. Hope this helps to alleviate any concerns.

update , i had a full brake fuild change on tuesday at cardiff opc result , after 150 miles use i can see no differance in the brake feel or travel than before the fluid change , car had a clean bill of health and a new mot so they must be normal[ ] Rob

Must agree that my C4 996 brakes need a good shove but that is only if you are used to an over servoed family saloon etc. I must say that they have been used in a life or death emergency stop and they were incredibly powerful ( life being the result!!). I also have an elise S1 which I use on track, this has no power assist at all but brakes are very good. It is brake feel that is important in a sports car and you do not want to be locking over servoed brakes up when flying into a corner on track or public road. Chris

Don't know if this helps as i have a C2 but i too was disappointed when moving from a 944 to a 996 with the brakes. After rotor changes and pad changes and a brake fluid change i too saw little difference in the performance. I also clean the car regularly as i use it every day....i also take it for a short drive after washing and the rotors still rust!!! However, when changing my alternator recently i had to disconnect what i think is a servo break assist line which has a very small washer fitted inside. Since refitting this i have seen a slight improvement. May just be luck!!

Thanks chaps for all the comments............ I think it must be that I am used to 'over-servo'd' brakes, and the 996 just requires more of a push ! The rotors are fine, pads virtually brand new (but still enough miles to have bedded in). I must remember to push harder when I need them.