Help!, rotors and pads nearly shot? Are Zimmerman rotors and Minte

[Westcoaster]

I just checked my brakes (MY03 (non-S) with 39,000 km's), it would appear to me that they are close to done!?

According to the markings on the rotors, front minimum thickness is 22mm and rear 18mm. Sound right?

My front rotors are at 22mm Passenger side and 22.4mm drivers side.

My rear rotors are at 19mm passenger side and 19.3mm drivers side.

As for the pads, I'll look for the report that came with the car, but visually inspecting them and looking at what I think is a sensor or wear indicator (1 cm rod projecting towards the rotor just ahead of the pad?) there doesn't appear to much more then 1 or 2 mm left.

Thoughts and suggestions are welcome for this Porsche newbie!

Al

Edited September 10, 2006 by Westcoaster

[joee]

1. Buy a Bentley Service Manual

2. Rotors need to be replaced, 22.6 mm front and 18.6 mm rear are limits.

3. If the pads are only as thick as the backing plate I would replace them.

4. Just replace everything yourself, if you do a bit of study you'll be able to pull it off yourself.

5. While you are at it replace the brake fluid and bleed the brakes.

6. Brakes are easy but important, enjoy your car!!!

7. Zimmer rotors are fine on a non-s, don't do the drilled ones.

8. Porsche pads are good, Pagid are better but you may have to do without the wear indicators.

[Westcoaster]

1. Buy a Bentley Service Manual

2. Rotors need to be replaced, 22.6 mm front and 18.6 mm rear are limits.

3. If the pads are only as thick as the backing plate I would replace them.

4. Just replace everything yourself, if you do a bit of study you'll be able to pull it off yourself.

5. While you are at it replace the brake fluid and bleed the brakes.

6. Brakes are easy but important, enjoy your car!!!

7. Zimmer rotors are fine on a non-s, don't do the drilled ones.

8. Porsche pads are good, Pagid are better but you may have to do without the wear indicators.

thanks for the feedback!

What don't you like about the drilled rotors? They seem to be good enough for the S?

[joee]

I have known people with non-s Boxsters who have used the Zimmer drilled and had problems with them warping under the heat of DE's. Also, people with Boxster-S's use the Porsche rotors to avoid the warping. I have a 98 Boxster with the Zimmer rotors on the front and Pagid orange pads front and rear. It really stops very on the track, some noise in braking around town.

[Westcoaster]

I have known people with non-s Boxsters who have used the Zimmer drilled and had problems with them warping under the heat of DE's. Also, people with Boxster-S's use the Porsche rotors to avoid the warping. I have a 98 Boxster with the Zimmer rotors on the front and Pagid orange pads front and rear. It really stops very on the track, some noise in braking around town.

warping under the heat of DE's??

Al

Does any one know what the thickness of the stock pads are (assuming of course the ones on the car are stock!) Maybe I can get away with just replacing the rotors?

thanks

[joee]

Stock pads are 12mm front and 10.5mm rear. The limit is 2mm front and rear. I think the brake wear indicator will start at 2.5 mm.

It can be well over 100F in Colorado in the summer. Repeated use of brakes from 100mph at these temps causes things to acclerate in terms of wear.

I'm sure you can get by with no action for now but if you want to be safe get someone to look over your brakes and probably do a full brake rebuild....

[Westcoaster]

Stock pads are 12mm front and 10.5mm rear. The limit is 2mm front and rear. I think the brake wear indicator will start at 2.5 mm.

It can be well over 100F in Colorado in the summer. Repeated use of brakes from 100mph at these temps causes things to acclerate in terms of wear.

I'm sure you can get by with no action for now but if you want to be safe get someone to look over your brakes and probably do a full brake rebuild....

Thanks Joee, I will likely be the guy doing all of the work, I will check the pads on all 4 corners to see where they are at regarding wear, a used car report dated April 2006 said the front pads were at 9.5 mm and the rears 8 mm.

The thing that I saw on the caliper that made me wonder about pad thickness was the 1cm diameter pin just ahead for the pads that seems quite close to the rotor surface?

BTW, what does DE stand for?

Al

[joee]

Driver's Education - run by local Porsche clubs at race tracks. Passing is limited and controled. Usually there are timed runs for class positions at the end of the last day. Join Porsche Club of America, it's fun, you meet great people and learn lots about driving and taking care of your car!

[wulabs]

I have a full set of brand new cross drilled Zimmerman rotors for a 986 non-S if you would like to purchase.

Located in SF bay area.

PM for details.

[Orient Express]

FYI:

Zimmerman is the supplier for Porsche OE rotors.