Brake rotor replacement

Hi all, does anyone have an article on how to change Porsche replacement brake rotors and pads? Thanks in advance.

Pad install is in the Articles section, no rotor article yet.

Thanks Ken; I saw that, but I was hoping we could get rotor replacement article put up. Also, the pad install is for aftermarket ones, and I was hoping for someone to post an official porsche pad. If I find something I'll post it.

i just replaced my pads with oem porsche pads. the article was my only source and was perfect. i did have to do a lot of light hammering to get them inside. i also bought a brake pad separator instead of using a wrench to open up the gap.

The rotors are very likely just like the Boxster, which are just like the 986 and 996. There are many DIY write ups for rotor replacements (see Renntech.org for the 996). Basically, you remove the pads, then remove the calipers (two bolts with hex ends), then hang the caliper out of the way. The rotor is held on by 1 or 2 (can't remember) philips head screws (very short btw). The book calls for replacement of the caliper bolts. Very easy DIY. I have done this on my Boxster, 993 and 996.

Brian (bet) is correct. Very simple DIY. 2 short positioning screws hold each rotor in place. Those can get corroded in place over time so take care not to strip the heads. Although Porsche recs replacing the caliper bolts, some people don't. I do to err on the safe side and I suggest you do too. Be sure to properly torque them down.

I would always recommend a new hardware kit, anytime either a caliper or rotor is replaced. And in some cases, when just the pads are replaced.

the rotors have a minimum safe thickness. Even on cars I don't track the rotors fall below that safe thickness after 25K km on my driving style. On a tracked Cayman i'm reaching this minimum safe thickness at 16K km.

Would you happen to know what the minimum thickness is?

The Cayman Club - FAQ Minimum wear measurement on both front and rear rotors is 2mm below starting thickness (as confirmed by a PCA tech representative).

Thanks caySman. I've seen the FAQ, but still don't know the #. Many people have said there is a minimum thickness, but nobody has come up with how many mm that thickness is. I guess I'll just keep my rotors on until I see cracks between the cross-drilled holes.

Somebody posted this in other thread.

I have 19,00 miles and roughly 20 DE events on my car. Having just returned from a 3 day driving school at Mt. Tremblant in Canada I inspected my rotors and found they have a pronounced lip on the outer edges. This is the most obvious indication of rotor wear. It led me to think I may need to replace my rotors by year end. I will probably do another 5 days of driving schools this year. BTW, I've gotten into the habit of leaving my Pagid yellow brake pads in full time. They work perfectly well on the street and I avoid having to take the time to swap pads for events. Due to their higher friction than stock pads I guess they would cause faster rotor wear. I would be very interested in seeing a DIY article on rotor replacement. I hope it will include torque specs for bolts and part numbers for replacement parts.

Do you find the Pagid yellows noisy at all?? G.

The Pagid yellows rarely make any noise. I get some occasional squeal. Nothing that concerns me at all. I've been using them for over a year. Looking back, they seem to make the most noise as they are getting bedded in. If I swap back to stock pads and then reinstall the Pagids they will make a little noise for a short time. Overall, I think they're terrific. Keep in mind I do not drive my car in the winter. I rarely drive the car when it is below freezing. I'm told these pads may be more problematic for street use when the weather gets very cold.

Amazing how much you can learn simply sitting in the service area of a dealer. I am here having my wife's MB serviced and just listening as the Service Advisors talked to a Cayman owner. I visited with the guy and he indicated he'd had wonderful service experience. They just told him $355.00 to replace the front brake pads. Sound in the ball park? These guys at Catena are good . . . REAL GOOD.

Wow, $355 for that. I'm in the process of ordering some Pagid Oranges for my front to keep as a backup on my next track day. I'm biting the bullet and will attempt to change them myself when the time comes.

That's what I **thought** I heard. I came over here after Vickie had the radio quit yesterday. Of course, it worked fine the moment I arrrived but they found a nail in the LR tire. Of course, Continental no longer makes that tire so it requires a matched set be located and installed. I think they are torturing me making me sit here,sipping coffee and looking at this Cayman next to me begging for a home! I think the front pad install would be DIY project that could be fun. Do you have a service manual? Can they be ordered here?

Yeah, pad changes should be easy, lot's of good articles here. My problem is that I have to examine everything over and over before doing it, that's why nothing ever gets done!