brake disc sets

JWillcock · Jul 30, 2017

Hi

I own a 997 C2S 2007 model and need new front and rear brake disc sets. My local OPC in Bournemouth is quoting me both for £600 more than from the nearest specialist, JMG Porsche. JMG tell me they are genuine Porsche parts (although they are unwilling to give me a price breakdown for some reason).

Would anyone be able to advise on what I should do? I am not convinced that JMG's sets will be genuine but for a 10 year old car, is that still necessary? JMG are a respectable specialist from what I understand. Does anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks

John

Geoff_Fields · Jul 30, 2017

If it were me I would buy oem quality parts from Eurocarparts in Bournemouth, which any competent mechanic could fit. No doubt that is where JMG are sourcing them. You could also try Silvertune in Christchurch or Marque 21 in Bridport for comparative quotes.

Briggy · Jul 30, 2017

John,

JMG are one of those places with a reputation that you put 100% trust in. If you were in the north, I'd same the same about Hartech.

Cheers,
Bryan

Gordon Attar · Jul 30, 2017

Just ask them what disks and pads they are fitting to check that they are OEM, which Im sure they will be, even if they come from Eurocarparts. Remember Porsche are likely to have changed brake disc and pads suppliers during the 997 production run, so there is probably is a choice as well.

Most specialists have a fixed menu prices for things like Brake discs and pads, the costs of the parts will vary month by month so its a pain to constantly breakdown without ringing suppliers

JWillcock · Jul 31, 2017

Great, thanks all. Never knew Silvertune existed and that's handier for me than JMG so good to know!

raykelly · Aug 1, 2017

design911.co.uk have them for £540. They will also will apply a discount of 5percent (i think it is) for being a PCGB member.
Eurocarparts are coming up with PAGID, BREMBO and SEBRO. I do not know which ones are the OEM ones.
Eurocarparts still has the crazy70 discount code running.. suppose to end yesterday. I selected the most expensive discs and the middle of road pads total was £753.94 applied the discount code and it was a total of £486.29. worth finding out the brand that Porsche use... check Eurocarparts and use this code tonight before it expires. I haven't checked everywhere so could be cheaper elsewhere. Saving will pay for some of the labour, if you don't want to do it yourself.

STiG911 · Aug 2, 2017

Go for Brembo - From the factory 997s came with either Brembo or Pagid, but the Brembos I got from Eurocarparts are the dogs nads. And they have a nice protective finish on the bell housing and cooling fins so no more rusting!

michaelfrith · Aug 6, 2017

This really is a simple diy and there are plenty of how tos on the web and several you tube videos. You only need basic tools a jack and an axle stand. I did mine earlier in the year with parts from eurocarparts using one of their many discount weekends. Interestinglay I used paid discs and pads which came in boxes marked Porsche. The job took 5 hours for all 4 wheels and would be less next time. Remember that its worth changing the wear sensors and anti squeal shims at the same time. Also you should fit new calliper bolts.

STiG911 · Aug 7, 2017

michaelfrith said:
This really is a simple diy and there are plenty of how tos on the web and several you tube videos. You only need basic tools a jack and an axle stand. I did mine earlier in the year with parts from eurocarparts using one of their many discount weekends. Interestinglay I used paid discs and pads which came in boxes marked Porsche. The job took 5 hours for all 4 wheels and would be less next time. Remember that its worth changing the wear sensors and anti squeal shims at the same time. Also you should fit new calliper bolts.

I don't disagree with this per se, but replacing the wear sensors is a waste of money unless they've actually been triggered as it's only then that they become useless. (The system works by wearing down the sensor wires shroud to the point where contact-to-earth is made, causing an alert) Unless the new pads use a different type of sensor (horseshoe vs pin) there's no benefit to replacing with new ones.
I'd also advise that the shims can be re-used as once heat gets into them the glue goes off and they detach from the pads anyway. I just used a (very) thin copper grease dab between the shims and the pad backing when reusing mine and they've been fine since.
I would advise using a very good quality Pin Punch as the front brake pad retaining pins in particular can be a right b***h to remove if there's no copper grease on the parts of the pin shaft which sit inside the caliper. Pad dust gets in the gaps and the combination of heat / rain / brake dust makes for a nice sort of paste which welds the damn things in.

Rodney Naghar · Aug 7, 2017

100% agree with STiG911, I've done this many times and these are all salient points. I'd also highly recommend pad spreaders - they'll make it so much easier getting the pistons to spread open

Lancerlot · Aug 7, 2017

For perfect fitment, you also need a dial gauge to check disc run-out and a Vernier gauge to check calliper centralisation.

Regards,

Clive

peterlightbown · Aug 17, 2017

Not needed quite yet but just bought discs (Brembo) from eurocarparts with nearly £140 discount coming in at £248

STiG911 · Aug 18, 2017

peterlightbown said:
Not needed quite yet but just bought discs (Brembo) from eurocarparts with nearly £140 discount coming in at £248

Nice!

chrishak · Aug 19, 2017

I replaced my discs and pads on my 986 yesterday and I can offer further advice.
Make sure the Brembo boxes contain the disc retaining screws - one of mine didn't so I had to dash down to my OPC for a pair (see next point)
Undo the retaining screws with a well fitting bit, preferably on a ratchet spanner so you can push the bit hard into the screw while turning the wrench. Three of mine undid with a screwdriver, the fourth needed a more considered approach in order to avoid tears and a drill...
Try to pull the 'R' pin out of the pad retaining pin without damaging it. Mine was stuck fast and only came out by levering it which damaged it beyond reuse. These are only available from OPC's as part of a £40 fitting kit, most of which isn't necessary. Trying to find a replacement 'R' pin of the right size has proven difficult but the search continues (no, I'm not driving the car until a pin is in place).
Make sure you have Loctite for the caliper mounting bolts and again, use a 10mm hex-head socket in a ratchet to undo them, carefully! They are notorious for shearing...
Apart from the above, piece o' cake!

chrishak · Aug 19, 2017

Forgot to mention, £145 for Brembo discs and pads (actually rebranded Textar) all in from ECP with last weeks discount code

Lancerlot · Aug 19, 2017

chrishak said:
Make sure you have Loctite for the caliper mounting bolts and again, use a 10mm hex-head socket in a ratchet to undo them, carefully! They are notorious for shearing...
Apart from the above, piece o' cake!

I believe the calliper mounting bolts are stretch bolts that need to be replaced each time the calliper has been removed.
Regards,

Clive

chrishak · Aug 19, 2017

Lancerlot said:
chrishak said:

Make sure you have Loctite for the caliper mounting bolts and again, use a 10mm hex-head socket in a ratchet to undo them, carefully! They are notorious for shearing...
Apart from the above, piece o' cake!

Click to expand...

I believe the calliper mounting bolts are stretch bolts that need to be replaced each time the calliper has been removed.
Regards,

Clive

The (very) comprehensive price breakdown from my OPC didn't include caliper bolts and neither of my manuals suggested replacing them so I didn't replace mine. I think they'll be fine, but I'll seek further advice...

tscaptain · Aug 19, 2017

Clive's understanding regarding the caliper bolts is also mine.[

] Curious it's not mentioned in your manuals, Chris, and that the PC didn't include them either.

chrishak · Aug 19, 2017

tscaptain said:
Clive's understanding regarding the caliper bolts is also mine.[] Curious it's not mentioned in your manuals, Chris, and that the PC didn't include them either.

I'll talk to a friendly techy at my local OPC and if necessary, I'll just fit 4 new bolts when I finally source a new 'R' clip...

Lancerlot · Aug 19, 2017

chrishak said:
......I'll just fit 4 new bolts when I finally source a new 'R' clip...

I seem to recall the front pads on my 997 were retained with a large spring and 2 hardened steel pins running through the back of the calliper, so if your set up is similar and it's just a small 'R' clip preventing the pin from pulling back out, these are nothing special and can probably be picked up from most hardware, engineering, agricultural or fastener stores or you could even make one up yourself. We often used stainless steel lock-wire for the purpose - more secure than an 'R' clip, actually. But if it's a special brake pad retaining fitting you're after, try Brakeparts.co.uk or a Brembo stockist.
Regards,

Clive