changing brake pads

[trevorc]

hello all

my pads are getting close to replacement point. On my Jetta & Eurovan I frequently do the job myself (once I learned how to turn the pistons while retracting them). I was going to do my 05 V6 Cayenne. Any gotcha's I should know about? Is there any special tools required ??

Trevor

[mudman2]

its easy, no special tools

do a search

hello all

my pads are getting close to replacement point. On my Jetta & Eurovan I frequently do the job myself (once I learned how to turn the pistons while retracting them). I was going to do my 05 V6 Cayenne. Any gotcha's I should know about? Is there any special tools required ??

Trevor

[Edman]

I just did my Boxster this weekend - assuming they're very much the same - and it was the easiest brake job I've ever done. Unbelievable!

[trevorc]

I just did my Boxster this weekend - assuming they're very much the same - and it was the easiest brake job I've ever done. Unbelievable!

it was easy ! a lot easier than on my VW's. Only thing I should have done was get new wear sensors. Just for reference, pads were $311, sensors where $43 each. Next time I'll order them online as i'm sure they are cheaper via mail order.

TC

[Dennis C]

I just did my Boxster this weekend - assuming they're very much the same - and it was the easiest brake job I've ever done. Unbelievable!

it was easy ! a lot easier than on my VW's. Only thing I should have done was get new wear sensors. Just for reference, pads were $311, sensors where $43 each. Next time I'll order them online as i'm sure they are cheaper via mail order.

TC

That sounds really high for sensors. I bought mine at the dealer for $21 per set, for a total of $42. I assume that was what you meant rather than $43 each.

Were you able to use the old sensors without any issues? I've heard that you have to replace them once they have been "activated".

[Edman]

I examined my pads before I bought new (the sensor light was on). One set was a lot lower than the other. I only bought one sensor. I was right. The sensor is nothing more than a wire wrapped in insulation. When brake wear grinds off the insulation and the bare wire makes contact with the rotor, you have a "Brake wear" light. If the insulation is not broken, you have no reason to replace the sensor.

The cheapie in me wonders if you could coat the sensor wire in hot wax and reuse it, even if the insulation is gone. I wonder about it, but I ain't gonna try it.

Edited June 21, 2008 by Edman