Brake Caliper Part - Do I Need These??

I would search if I knew what to call them. My brake calipers have a part between the caliper pistons and the brake pads. The fronts are a 1-piece device with aluminum thimbles that fit inside the pistons. Provides a flat surface between the pistons and the pad backing plate. On the rear, they are individual pads that snap into the pistons and do the same thing; provide a flat surface for the interface with the pad backing plate. What are these things called, do all 996s have them, do I need them, etc. Reason for all these questions is that I broke one on the rear (they were glued to the brake pads) and don't see anything about them in the parts book....????

I did the exact same thing. Ahsai told me I didn't need them and could remove all of them. Currently, i have the damaged one back in place but I've ordered a replacement. 28mm Brake Dampener: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...pg3.htm#item13

vibration dampers. I reuse mine as they are ridiculously priced.

I reuse them if I remember. Have not really noticed a difference.

I store mine at the landfill in case I need to use them in the future. Depending on the pads you use, you MAY have some squeaking (which is really vibration) if you don't use them - but you can also get that even if you do use them, so...

I thought there had been recent mention of this but... Thanks for all the replies and especially the Pelican link which provided the p/n I needed. I am going to do the same - order a couple to replace the one I messed up in the rear and leave them installed.

Took me a long time to figure out why the pads wouldn't just pull out the back of the calipers until I took the calipers off. They were frozen or glued to the brake pads. I bought new ones, but ended up just using the originals this time.

I figured out what was preventing the pads from coming out and had to slide a thin putty knife between these discs and the pad backing plate then tap with a hammer to break away the adhesive seal. I got a little over zealous with one of them and boogered the metal snap in part. Actually chiseled the damn thing off the anti-squeal disc! Car has a little over 70K miles and the rear pads were the originals with probably 25% left on them. I only changed pads to go to something with less dust.

My fronts had been changed by PO and came out fairly easily. When the back were a little tougher I used a screwdriver to try and pry the pad out and one of the dampeners came with it. I thought it was part of the caliper and kinda of freaked a little. One of a few little "learning experiences" I've had while working on my car.

Personally I remove and toss them. A tip on removal....be very careful using a tool to pry the dampers from the pad. The caliper dust boot is right there and are easy to rip. Make sure the tool is between the pad and damper and not the damper and caliper.

Quotes source post: 13221861

Yes, and it is SO easy to see up in there on the rear pads It is also possible to snag your tool on the actual pad backing plate and think you are separating it from the anti-squeal part when in fact you are trying to pry the backing plate off the pad. This whole brake job, which took me all afternoon even after the car was on the lift and the wheels were off, would probably take me 1-2 hours max if I were to do it over again.

As many have said, I tossed mine front and rear. Have had zero squealing problems with them gone. It now takes longer to jack up the car than it does to change brake pads.

Cutting the cord. Removed my front and rear dampeners and zip tied my pad sensors back tonight. Should make swapping pads back and forth much easier. Great info on RL as always.