Brake pads

[xenon]

You definately must change both sets per axle (you can only buy them like that anyway) but you don't have to do all four wheels if the other axle is still OK. I would have thought moving 10 yards without coolant wouldn't cause a problem.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

As Ian says, a whole axle but not all wheels. Would just say dot leave it ticking over!

 

[DavidL]

Dash light just come on for these.
Presumably changing whole axles is the best option but would you usually change all 4 wheels?
No idea exactly which wheel is prung the sensor but I don't suppose it matters.
Will check the sensor wires first!

Also is there an issue moving a car under its own steam about 10 yards from stone cold if said car has no cooling system currently?
You got it - dead car in garage awaiting bits - need garage to do pads! Can push it out (downhill) not back up easily!

 

[zcacogp]

Whole axle - yes. Work out which one is the problem and do all four on that axle. If it's a Turbo or S2 (hence with Brembo calipers) it is a very, very easy job. These people: [link=http://www.brakeparts.co.uk/]http://www.brakeparts.co.uk/[/link] ... were MUCH cheaper than anyone else for pads for my S2 when I last bought them. Delivery is steep, but despite that it all worked out cheaper than the likes of GSF/ECP etc. And if you buy two sets then it is cheaper still as you still pay the same for delivery. I once drove a car (Pug205) about 1/2 mile without a radiator. You'll be fine, but make sure there isn't anything else missing before firing it up which may cause damage. Dangling wires hanging into the fanbelt is another one to look out for. Oli.

 

[DavidL]

Cheers all. Thanks for the link Oli, I'll have a look. OEM seems about £60 per axle from Bert.

 

[DavidL]

Any value in anything other than OEM? Pagid rs42 too expensive! Yellow stuff maybe anything else? ETA - wish I hadn't asked that - a bit of digging gives every opinion on every type - little of it consistent. ECP are offering ebc yellow and pagid red Oli's link are £30 +VAT. Worth a call tomorrow

 

[zcacogp]

When I called them I thought they were going to be too good to be true, and they were going to send compressed-grass based pads, or worse. As it was, they were very helpful and friendly. I asked the guy to get the parts from his store and confirm that they were mintex (or pagid, I can't remember which), and they were, and I have him my details and bought them. I *think* they are mainly aimed at selling into the trade, hence the very low prices. Buy they seemed happy to deal direct with me, for small order. Oli.

 

[ChasR]

EBCs seem to get a mixed blessing on this forum. On the two cars I tried with them (both French hatches I admit (a 306 GTi-6 (a car where the brakes were very praised) and a Clio 172) the Greenstuff pads were shocking even with new discs/pads and hoses/racing brake fluid. As soon as the owner of the Clio went to Mintex M1144s the brakes were a vast improvement, over stock too IMO (I drove that car a few times). No fade when I drove it, and superb cold bite. Well, it did persuade me to get a set for the 205 which now stops superbly. So I'd look out for the M1144s on your car if the Pagid Blues are pricey (although I hear they are also a superb pad). I'll see what my Peugeot modding shop can do on those for a 944 (He sold me the 205 pads at a very competitive price).

 

[sawood12]

I've said it before - what is wrong with standard pads? Porsche have always been famed for their brakes and aftermarket pads are often not any cheaper and introduce compromises - i.e. corrosive dust, chew up discs (which are far more expensive than pads), noisy and squealy pads and poor cold performance. These may be acceptable compromises for track and race cars but for road cars what advantages are aftermarket pads giving you? They don't stop you any quicker - you can lock up your wheels or kick in the ABS on command with standard pads so they are plenty man enough. It seems to be the first thing people jump to with pads - and as far as I can see for no real need or because they have found problems or the limits of standard pads. If you're out-driving the standard braking system on the road you're either doing something terribly wrong and need to go back to BSM, or need your license taking off you.

 

[DavidL]

Nothing wrong with modifying cars, we all do it. Technology moves on so why not consider alternatives? But everyone has an opinion, I was just casting about for them. Thanks for everyones' contribution. Nothing wrong with OEM at all, I don't think anyone was suggesting that necessarily. Clearly brake pads are an emotive subject.

 

[chrisg]

Just to throw my penny's worth in with regard to brake pads and friction material, having run on a daily basis and done track days for an S2 and 951, day to day driving = standard Pagid pads are fine. For track days and spirited driving go for Mintex 1155's with uprated fluid and braided hoses = managed with the 951 at the Ring and Spa fine..... Yours Chris

 

[sawood12]

ORIGINAL: DavidL Nothing wrong with modifying cars, we all do it. Technology moves on so why not consider alternatives? But everyone has an opinion, I was just casting about for them. Thanks for everyones' contribution. Nothing wrong with OEM at all, I don't think anyone was suggesting that necessarily. Clearly brake pads are an emotive subject.

Don't get me wrong- it's not an emotional thing but it just strikes me as being the first thing people consider without actually considering OEM. I don't buy the moving on of technology thing - brake pads are brake pads - they are pretty well understood and unless you're going to carbon brakes then the technology hasn't really moved on for a few decades, it is what it is. It's a bit like baking, the various materials are blended to achieve specific characteristics and Porsche have worked very hard to find a recipe that works for a road going car without too many compromises and they do know more about brakes than most of the aftermarket brake companies. But I would say, don't mess about with aftermarket pads unless you have a specific requirement you're looking to fill (and most people don't). OEM pads are perfectly adequate for all but the most dedicated track day car or race car. Been there, done it, got stung and wished i'd stuck with OEM. I think alot of people step out of newer over-servo'd cars and into Porsches and the brakes feel very different and they assume something is wrong when often all that is required is a bit more effort on the brake pedal.