Hey everyone. As you may know, I'm a bit lazy when it comes to cleaning my car. I don't mind working on it, but keeping it clean for "no reason" is not my forte. I will protect it and maintain it mechanically, but dirt is a fact of nature, and I don't care to fight it too much.
That being said, I also can't stand the crazy brake dust that the stock pads put on the front wheels. I have tried using wheel wax and such, but they don't seem to make any worthwhile difference. The last time I worked on the car, I stuck with the stock Textars because I didn't have time to dive in deeper. For those interested, here is that replacement info:
https://www.planet-9.com/threads/re...nded-low-dust-ceramic-pads-for-987-2-non-s.254419/?post_id=2218601#post-2218601
So, I wanted to go to something that keeps the performance, but doesn't dust as much, and I heard great things about Akebono pads. A friend of mine swapped to them on his Benzes and loves them - he's MUCH more particular about a clean car, so if he's happy, I expect I will be. I found info on these on this thread:
https://www.planet-9.com/threads/ceramic-front-pads-for-987-2.194953/page-2#post-1839601
That said, as noted there, there was some confusion on whether this really works on the 987.2, because Akebono's website won't say it does (on the front - the backs are listed and a simple replacement). I can confirm that it does, as I just did the work today.
For the TLDR, here is what works on the front:
Pads:
EUR917 (I got mine from FCP here:
Porsche Disc Brake Pad Set - Akebono EUR917
)
NOTE: You CANNOT use the stock wear sensors, so you have to either jumper them or tie them away - I did the latter)
Hardware:
I used a kit from a 2004 Boxster Base - I got mine from Autozone here
https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and...ake-disc-hardware-kit-front/p/duralast-disc-brake-hardware-kit-13615/330444_0_0
More details:
Installation is easy on these cars, as you don't even have to take the caliper off. I wish all cars would do this! Here's what I started with, and an example of the crazy dusting from the Textars:
That was basically the amount of dust from last August to now. Yeesh.
For those unfamiliar, installation is just removing the wheel, then pulling the pin, remove the hardware and the sensors, and the pull the pads out. My pads were sticking on the stock shims, so I had to pry them out a bit, but they came out easily enough. Here's the picture sequence:
Stock pads in place, wheel off:
Stock pads vs EUR917 Akebonos, for size comparison:
Stock are on top in each pair. Note the very-different size and location of slot for the wear indicators. This is why they can't be used. Other than that, you can see they are very similar in size, as expected. For that matter, there may be a little more contact area on the Akebonos than the app-specific Textars...
App-specific hardware vs 2004 on right:
Note the size difference (length) on these. This is why you need the older hardware for these pads, because the app-specific one doesn't work with the pads:
Notice how the app-specific spring doesn't reach the upper slot, when it's properly slotted in the lower one here. That's why we need new hardware. Here is a pic of the correct new hardware in place:
No finger needed!
Once this is all in place, slide the pin back into place, insert the cotter, and you're done:
Easy peasy! Remember to tie the wear sensor back, or jumper it. I tied mine as follows:
Put the wheel back on, and repeat this on the other side, and you're done!
I will note, for whatever reason, the new pin on the other side did not fit (the small-diameter end wasn't machined down enough) so I used the old pin there instead. I doubt this matters, but just be aware of poor quality control at Autozone!
I haven't cleaned the wheels yet, so I don't have pics of that... that's for another day. But the hope is that the next cleaning will be my last (at least within 12 months or so!)... wheels are annoying to clean!
I have more pictures if anyone is interested, but it's an easy job and took me only a few hours, taking my time and lots of pictures, so it can be done very easily. It was also my first time doing it this way (last job was with the calipers off, since I swapped rotors).
What's your review of the brake feel? I am still in search of a hybrid track and street pad. The DS2500s are not amazing at either. Poor bite at low temps and average to poor brake feel while at the limit.
I'm not a racer, and I have only driven about 1 mile to ensure everything is fine... so I can't comment too much on brake feel. But I feel like they have slightly more bite than the Textars, and I am able to trigger the ABS more quickly (I was bedding the brakes, so I noticed!). I don't feel they are any less linear than the stockers, and they feel just fine for my needs so far.
I can't speak to wider temperatures yet - it's 70F out right now. It will be a while before it's cold again (we hope! It is New England, after all.)
My friend that I mentioned above has liked them on the Benzes, and he has had them longer than I have. He's also a MUCH better driver than I am, and has not had any issues with brake feel to-date. He may have driven in relatively colder weather, but not winter-cold as he has done the swap only a few months ago.
Just to revisit this once more. Here is the result from running the Akebonos for a YEAR:
In contrast, for reference, here were the Textars after 6 months:
As you can see, the Akebonos were WONDERFUL. The rears are still Textar, and you can see a little brake dust there, but not as much since they are rears and work less... but you can CLEARLY see the difference.
Note, this is without any additional wheel-washing on the Akebonos. I LOVE them from a dust perspective... can't argue with those results. Eventually, I'll do the rears with Akebonos as well, but with this little dusting it can wait...
Bottom line, I HIGHLY recommend this swap. I don't race, so for a street car these Akebonos are GREAT and prevent wheel brake dusting quite dramatically!
Quotes source posts: 1839601, 2218601
Schwin, Thanks so much for the great info on the pads, plus the pics help alot also!!! This is the kind of info I was looking for thanks again my friend!!!
I just put the same pads on my
987.2
, and thanks to your write-up I had all the parts ready to go, especially the spring clips. I also ordered brake wear sensors for a
986
and they fit perfectly, so I didn't have to tie down the old ones.
I couldn't feel any difference in brake performance on a quick drive yesterday, but am really looking forward to not having to clean my wheels all the time. I had
Akebono pads
on my previous BMWs and always had a great experience with them.
Just wanted to echo
@earlster
comment and thank Mr
@schwinn
for the good write up. I also went full 986 akebonos with the matching brake sensors and like the brake feel on my daily driver, and LOVE the reduction of brake dust. I went from feeling like I needed to clean my wheels weekly, to I did it after a few months and didn’t really need to.
I also regularly come up to familiar (and empty) intersections engaging the ABS and for street driving, these feel great. Not grabby, but a progressive braking power that provides all the braking my summer compound tires can handle.
Supposedly not great on the track, but that’s ok with me.
I just get a tiny squeak from the brakes when I back out of my driveway when cold first thing in the morning, but dead silent after that.
Highly recommended for your daily drivers (and relatively affordable, too!)
Did you remove the old shims? I just purchased these pads and new sebro slotted rotors but wasn't sure if I need to remove the old shims. Thanks.
It’s been a while and don’t fully remember, but I’m pretty sure I kept the shims in place.
Still very happy with the pads.
