Couple of questions about brakes

[monkeydust]

Is it true that they put something on the pads that causes them to squeak when it's about time to change them? My boss told me that today and I had never heard that before. I've got one of my brakes that squeaks quite a bit when I brake.

Secondly, do I need to take my car to a Porsche dealer to replace the pads or can I just take it to a place like Firestone? I can't do it myself as I don't have my own garage to work on it.

Thanks!

[Loren]

I haven't seen the "scratchers" on cars in years.

Your Porsche has pad sensors. These are essentially a wire covered in plastic - when the insulation wears through the action of the pads causes the wire to break -- it turn a light on in your instrument cluster. Much better than the old scratchers.

[monkeydust]

Thanks, Loren! Didn't know there were brake pad sensor lights on my dash.

So, the squeaking that I am hearing. Is this normal? It's pretty noticeable and was hoping a car like this wouldn't have that kind of issue.

What is the appropriate action to get rid of the squeak if there is one?

[Loren]

Perhaps someone changed pads without putting on new vibration dampers?

[monkeydust]

Perhaps someone changed pads without putting on new vibration dampers?

Well, I'm pretty sure that it is brake dust that causing them to squeak since whenever I was the car and spray the brakes off real good, the squealing stops for a while.

Vibration dampers. Is this something a place like Firestone would have and could install or do I need to go to the Porsche dealer? I don't think I've owned a car with those things before.

Edited August 26, 2007 by monkeydust

[Loren]

Get the Porsche parts they are not that expensive and they come with high temperature adhesive backs to hold them in place.

Make sure the sure the surface is claen and dry when you install them.

[monkeydust]

Well, I live in a condo and don't have a place to work on my car. So, I can't really do anything like that myself (nothing that requires me to get under my car).

I had been taking my last car to Firestone for all it's maintenance and that's why I was asking the capability of a place like that to do that.

[Loren]

Where do you live?

[monkeydust]

Where do you live?

Indianapolis

[Loren]

Try your local PCA region for recommendations of good independent Porsche repair shops.

[monkeydust]

Update on my brakes:

I took my car to Firestone today to see if they can take care of the squeaking brakes. They tell me I need new pads and rotors and it is going to run me $1700 (plus $800 for the two bald tires in back that I didn't know I had - only bald in the middle of the tires). They told me that $1700 is about $700 cheaper than if I would take it to a Porsche dealership to get it done.

So I called the Porsche dealership and talked to the manager there. He said that in the last 5 years he hasn't had to replace one set of rotors. Said it just really isn't done on a car like mine very often at all. I told him that Firestone said that rotors were grooved and he replied "so what?". He also said that he could do a full set of pads and rotors on a Cayman for cheaper than $1700.

He told me to bring the car in for a free brake inspection on Wednesday afternoon. So, I'm going to do that.

Oh, I checked out the rear tires too. The things are just like Firestone said. They've got deep tread towars the outside but near bald in the middle. That's not the type of thing that you can see very easily without raising the car up. I put my hand across the tire to feel it and once I got towards the middle, there was hardly any tread at all. This caused by them being overinflated maybe?

[PeterC4]

Update on my brakes:

I took my car to Firestone today to see if they can take care of the squeaking brakes. They tell me I need new pads and rotors and it is going to run me $1700 (plus $800 for the two bald tires in back that I didn't know I had - only bald in the middle of the tires). They told me that $1700 is about $700 cheaper than if I would take it to a Porsche dealership to get it done.

So I called the Porsche dealership and talked to the manager there. He said that in the last 5 years he hasn't had to replace one set of rotors. Said it just really isn't done on a car like mine very often at all. I told him that Firestone said that rotors were grooved and he replied "so what?". He also said that he could do a full set of pads and rotors on a Cayman for cheaper than $1700.

He told me to bring the car in for a free brake inspection on Wednesday afternoon. So, I'm going to do that.

Oh, I checked out the rear tires too. The things are just like Firestone said. They've got deep tread towars the outside but near bald in the middle. That's not the type of thing that you can see very easily without raising the car up. I put my hand across the tire to feel it and once I got towards the middle, there was hardly any tread at all. This caused by them being overinflated maybe?

I'm having some brake squeal on my low milage 2004 C4S in stop and go traffic. I would take it to a Porsche dealer first and have it checked out. I think that the brakes on theses cars last a long time.

[JonesnSince78]

All I got to say is: Hmmm, a Porsche dealer who hasn't changed rotors in 5 years???

I understand the condo issue, but one of the beautiful things about these cars is the simplicity of the brake work. If you can find a workspace somewhere, you could do this work for WAY under the price quoted.

[monkeydust]

I'm having some brake squeal on my low milage 2004 C4S in stop and go traffic. I would take it to a Porsche dealer first and have it checked out. I think that the brakes on theses cars last a long time.

Yeah, I asked the Porsche dealer about the squeal and he said that was normal. Not what I was expecting him to say.

They guy at Firestone said that all the breaks were pretty well worn on the inside pads but hardly worn at all on the outside pads.

[dsnow]

I was told by my dealer that these brakes like to be used aggressively and just driving around town will tend to make them squeak for you are not really getting on them. 2002 c4s

soutahc4s

[monkeydust]

I was told by my dealer that these brakes like to be used aggressively and just driving around town will tend to make them squeak for you are not really getting on them. 2002 c4s

soutahc4s

Yeah, I've heard that too. I'll see what the dealer says on Wednesday.

But, I will have to agree with Firestone on my rear tires (Pirelli Asimmetrico 265/35-18) though. Took another look at them and they really are in pretty bad shape.

Edited September 1, 2007 by monkeydust

[fastboydave]

Plenty of meat on those, miles and miles left on them!! ;-)

Incidentally, i changed my rear discs and pads recently due to 'corrosion' (on a 996TT). They were heading that way probably before i bought the car, but the rear discs (on the inside face) had multiple rust 'rings' around the discs. I had no 'juddering' and the braking effect was fine, but thought hey, i'll get them changed. I made the decision to have a go myself, which was made easier by the comprehensive instructions on Renntech (thank you!). Really is a piece of cake, and the rears have the handrake adjustment to cope with too, fronts even easier. The parts cost me just under £450 (ALL original Porsche discs, pads, caliper repair set, new caliper bolts and anti squeel pads from an internet company called design911 based in UK. Sensors were OK so reused). Pricing the front to do the same will be less than £600. Now, i just happened to look on Porsche GB website at servicing costs etc and they charge (parts and labour) £869 for rears and £1399 for fronts!!!!!! An absolute disgrace, especially now i know how quick and easy they are to do! Total rip off.

I beleieve they do squeel and corrode when you dont use them too aggresively, and maybe you should 'stand on them' now and again to give them a bit of a clean off. Also, when you wash the car, you should take it round the block and really stand on them to dry them off and elliminate the corrosion issues that i had. Just some advice.

Do the brakes yourself if you have the room. I used the standard car jack etc to lift each side at a time. You never know, you may enjoy it, i did.

[PeterC4]

I find my brakes begin to squeal in continuous stop and go traffic. I do think aggressive use now and then tends to reduce the squeal.