987 front brake pads / spring clips

I am replacing rotors and pads on my 06 CS, Brembo drilled rotors , semi metallic pads (although 'Textra' is stamped into the backing plate). I'm having difficulty with the front spring retaining clips since my new pads have a lot more backing plate 'real estate''. See New vs Old below. The tops of the old backing plates had a gentle taper that the 2 1/2" long clips could slide down. My new ones only have slots cut into the bulkier backing plate that are 3 1/2" apart. The front factory clips (995-352-960-00) won't stretch to reside in those wide slots. The rear factory clips (996-351-959-01) are sufficiently longer (3 /12") but too narrow (2 1/4") for the wider front caliper gap. What's crazy, is that every front pad set on Rock Auto , Advanced Auto, O'Reilly, etc. show the 'chunky' backing plates, in fact the Bosch pads in that configuration are best sellers. What am I missing? I bought them from Rock Auto in the Fall thinking I'd knock it out before the weather changed. Too much time has passed, they're now non-returnable. Since I'm stuck with them, do I take a grinding wheel to my new pads? Images of my New pads followed by my Old pads...

Can you please clarify the question? 1. It may be because the caliper pads haven’t really been pushed all the way. It happened to me and initially I too thought it was the back plate thickness. 2. The retaining clips aren’t held in place by the pads, it’s held in place by the pressure of the pin. 3. I used the same retaining clips for both front and back, 996-351-959-01.

Thanks for the quick response!!! The part number you mentioned is the spring clip designated for the rear brake assembly. It measures 3.5" long by 2.25" wide, whos width barely engage the front pad backing plates. I'll admit, I haven't pumped the brake pedal to pull the pads in further, but I'm guessing the difference should be negligible, but it's worth a shot. It seems the Porsche branded pads and those sold by places like FCP Euro , Pelican & Autohaus only sell the front pads with the 'slighter' backing plates that can use the shorter & wider (front) spring clips. It makes my head spin that all the non- Porsche specific retailers only sell the pads having the chunkier backing plate. I'm still contemplating grinding down my new pads backing plates to use the specified shorter and wider front spring clips.

Grinding down backing plates may lead to other issues. Honestly haven't seen any problems with using the same clips on all four wheels. When I removed the old ones, they were also all the same size (seemed original).

I can imagine the heat generated from a grinding wheel may compromise friction material bonding. My concern using clips 1/4" too narrow will allow the pads to shift even though the pin keeps the pads from falling out. I guess I bite the bullet and buy additional pads. Thanks a lot Rock Auto - buyer beware.

FWIW I ordered new clips from FCP Euro and they fit the Ferodo pads just fine, picture below:

Thanks for the image, I'm guessin those Ferodo pads don't have the chunkier backin plates. The spring clips appear to pretty much span the caliper gap. Am I looking at the front or rear caliper?

The above picture is the rear, here is the front but the picture was hard to get.

Stonecutter, you made my day! I finally got out to the garage to pump the brake pedal, and wonder of wonders, I believe the rear spring clips are sufficiently wide enough to hold the front pads - no grinding of my Brembo bulky front backing plates necessary. It looks like you aren't using wear sensors. The PO zip tied mine to the uprights. I plan to use them. I figured, why not if I have them.

Awesome glad to hear! Yeah the Ferodo pads don't support the wear sensor, most of the racing pads don't support them. You are unlikely to be able to use the wear sensor from the PO as they most likely shorted it to avoid getting an error on the dashboard. I had to cut mine off, short them, and then place them neatly. They aren't that expensive, about $8 a piece, so easy to replace.

My PO ran Pagid racing pads. Amazing stopping power but lots of squealing until they got some heat into them. Front rotors also showed cracks emanating from the cross drilling, so everything gets changed out even though the car only has 35k miles & pads still have 8 mm left. My car's rear sensors are the cylindrical type which my Brembo pads are drilled to receive. The front sensors look like shields that would reside in the friction material, scallop cut out. I bought cylindrical type sensors for the front Brembo pads . Hopefully they will all work, the rears look like they were never used. I tend to think that cutting a scallop into the pad removes just that little bit of extra functionality.

I made an interesting spring clip discovery for those needing to replace theirs. I initially ordered front clips from Pelican , & sure enough, they were 2 1/2" tall & 2 3/4" wide, correct right down to their Porsche part numbers. I also decided to try a set from Rock Auto (advertised as front steel brake & rear PCCB ) since I also needed to purchase front wear sensors. The clips fit perfectly with my bulky back plate, front Brembo pads . I took a chance viewing Rock Auto 's image. (Raybestos H28127A) which was unique from Porsche front & rear part numbers. Why can't things be simpler? Stonecutter, I'm guessing this design is what you used for your fronts & rears.

Agree, I wish it were simpler! But we get to enjoy awesome cars!

@docman What part number is the clip you got that fits? I've got these same brake pads and have to figure it out too hahah.