How to save yourself £800 odd

Finally got round to replacing discs & pads all round last weekend. Design 911 are currently selling the discs & pads for £179 + VAT per axel. On top of this, you'll need a fitting kit for each axel, 4 brake wear sensors, anti-squeal shims and 8 caliper bolts (optional but only £13 from an OPC) In total, it took me 4 1/4 hours - the 1/4 hour was on the first of the rears until I remembered I had left the hand brake on (doh!) The only tools you need are a set of pad spreaders, a 10mm alen socket and torque wrench, a No.1 Philips screwdrier and a drift to remove the fixing pins for the pads. I bought a set of Sealey pad spreaders for £13 and placed them at an angle to fit across all of the pistons, but you could always get one of those cheap brake bleeding gadgets and slacken off the bleed nipple when you push the pistons back. Mr Porsche will charge you about £650/axel for this and in case you are worried about the parts, they are Serbo discs and Textar pads, both of which are the original equipment manufacturers. Having compared the bits I took off with the new ones, the only difference is that the Porsche part number is not prinited on them. And.... don't forget to wipe the protective coating off the discs with white spirit. As I don't value my weekend time at £200/hour I'd say it was worthwhile and on a scale of difficulty, only about a 2.

Good one Seagull. The only time I have ever done this was on a VW Golf GTI MkII in the late 90's. I thought first and last time I ever do that - it took me ages (about a week actually). But if you say its as straightforward as doing it oneself, I could be tempted. I mean for a saving of £800 I'd say it worthwhile. Btw - did you photograph and document it all? Could be useful for a future 'How to' thread........ ~ Maxie

Didn't photo it, but it really is simple, albeit messy - I recommend the use of latex gloves :evil:

Next time someone around by me does this change themselves, I wouldn't mind watching. It doesn't sound that difficult, but there is still that fear of messing it up!

Seriously planning to do this shortly, so I'll photo some of it, if it would help. I've been doing it for years on lesser cars and don't want the fact that it's a Porsche to put me off.

also a tube/tub of copper slip/grease is a good idea

That would be good thanks Tim.

The copperslip is essential. So is a good extraction fan if you have to do it indoors.

Very timely! My pads light on the dash came on after a heavy spin at Bedford, and Sid says my discs are rusted so bad they would fail MOT. OPC quoted me c.£1300 to supply & fit new pads & discs on all 4 corners. I had already seen the good deal on design-911. If someone put up pictures in a "how to" guide, I would have a crack myself - how different can it be to my MG Midget which I did about 10yrs ago... :shock:

Is there a workshop manual available for the 996?

Like a Haynes guide? I am sure there is except I have never seen one. ~ Maxie

try ebay, you can get the porsche workshop manuals for about a fiver....

Actually Copperslip is not recommended, if you must, as you don't need anything, use Plastilube. If you have the correct pads (with fitted damping plate), the correct adhesive shims you should not need any grease, this will prevent the shim sticking to the back of the pad.

Register on Rennlist & Renntech there are plenty of pictures and instructions on there, it's an invaluable source of DIY guides.

It's for the wheel studs, discs, any blots or metal to metal contact. It acts as an anti seizing compound and helps to damp noise