Brakes - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

So I took my 981S to a Porsche specialist rather than a main dealer, which I've done since I bought the car, nearly nine years ago. I was quoted £650 rather than £960 the OPC wanted, to change the front discs and pads and like a fool thought what could possibly go wrong, and I'd save over £300. I mean, you just unbolt the discs, put new ones on and pop in some new pads. Well within a few miles the brakes were squealing like a stuck pig, so the next week I took it back. They had another go, with the same result, so I again returned it, but once again squealing brakes, and they clearly had no idea why. So I'm posting this for two reasons; first, be careful when selecting a non OPC to work on your car, plus, has any one any ideas how to stop my brakes squealing?

Anti squeel shims? I can't think of anything else bcause the brakes on a 981 are pretty idiot proof. Oh, hang on, did you take it to a garage to be fixed?

Have you tried bedding the pads in a bit? You shouldn't really need to do it with normal pads but it won't hurt. Changing discs and pads is idiot proof so unless they have done something very stupid, I can't think what else the problem could be. As an aside... £950 to change discs and pads on one axle??!?!

Not sure what the brakes are like on a 981, but I’m assuming very similar to a 987? I can’t imagine paying someone to change the discs or pads on my 987-it really is the easiest thing I’ve ever changed the brakes on.

They have cheaped out on the parts , widened there margin . A DIY route via Messers Google means like in a restaurant you are faced with a menu range of prices and quality, inc OEM brembos albeit in a different coloured boxes .

LennyM1984 said: Have you tried bedding the pads in a bit? You shouldn't really need to do it with normal pads but it won't hurt. Changing discs and pads is idiot proof so unless they have done something very stupid, I can't think what else the problem could be. You need to bed in any brakes properly, as on any car, especially when you change discs and pads together. Have you done this?

and31 said: Not sure what the brakes are like on a 981, but I’m assuming very similar to a 987? I can’t imagine paying someone to change the discs or pads on my 987-it really is the easiest thing I’ve ever changed the brakes on. I seem to recall it's more complicated on a 981 and the calipers(?) have to be removed...

Sometimes the fancy pads squeal much more than the boggo ones so maybe you’ve been upgraded! Defo, do a series of fast stops to bed them in so +1 for that advice.

Here is some info:https://apecautomotive.co.uk/techmate-guides/bedding-in-and-material-transfer-process/

Thanks for all the good advice. I appreciate it shouldn't be a difficult job, and back in the 70s I'd happily change the pads on my TR6, but now I'm in my 70s and find crawling about a garage floor a bit of a faff. I'll try the bedding in some of you recommended, but as I've done a 1,000 miles on the pads, I figure they should be bedded in by now. I only replaced the discs as the OPC at the last service, and then when I had it MOT'd, mentioned rust on the inside of the discs and that they needed replacing. As my car's done 76,000 on the original brakes I suppose I'm just not braking hard enough. But then it is on it's original 10 year old battery, so I suppose these Porsches are just well made.

OldChap said: I only replaced the discs as the OPC at the last service, and then when I had it MOT'd, mentioned rust on the inside of the discs and that they needed replacing. Ah yes - never do what the OPC suggests when it comes to...anything I think almost every 'Porsche' model's discs rusts more on the inside? OldChap said: As my car's done 76,000 on the original brakes I suppose I'm just not braking hard enough. I would still try and recover your existing brakes, whatever parts are new or old, by doing the proper bedding-in process, as detailed on the interweb. It may well stop the squeaking. So brake hard from x mph to 5 mph however many times etc etc whatever website advice you prefer... the key takeaway is that you don't come to a stop, nor hold the pads against the discs whilst stationary at any point until the brakes have cooled down.

OldChap said: Thanks for all the good advice. I appreciate it shouldn't be a difficult job, and back in the 70s I'd happily change the pads on my TR6, but now I'm in my 70s and find crawling about a garage floor a bit of a faff. . Yes sod that in your 70’s!!