Brake pad advice please

[Mark sP]

Hi guys. It's time to replace my brake pads. I have been told that there is a sensor update required. When I looked at our hosts' parts sheet this seems to be confirmed.

However, my pads are down to less than 1000 miles (guestimate) of pad material, and the warning light does not light up. Would this mean that the wrong pads were installed or that the update parts were not fitted by the PO?

How can I find out what pads I need to order? The local Porsche dealership quotes 68 pound sterling for the updates. More than the cost of the pads! Not a big deal all things considered, but I dislike the warning lights anyway as IME they always come on far too early in a pads life anyway.

I don't mind if the sensors are not wired up, in which case which pads should I order for an 88/9 carrera?

TIA
Mark

[Vipergrün]

IMHO, I would not rely on the sensor to tell you when to replace your pads. You should be inspecting them on a regular basis, especially if you drive the car hard. As far as pads, depends on how you drive. For street driving, I like the Ferodo's sold by our host. For a more aggressive pad you can go to something like the Porterfield R4-S pad. If you do not want/need the sensor, I *believe* the SC and the Carrera FRONT pads are the same, the Carrera caliper is 4mm wider to accomodate the 24mm rotor. Other than that they should be the same. The SC pads do not have a wear sensor and will probably be less expensive.

[Mark sP]

Ok. Thanks. I agree that regular inspection of the pads is the best way to determine when to replace them.

Although I have yet to venture into the heady world of track days, in normal road use, I tend to be a late/heavy breaker. I suspect that the ferodo's will suffice. I don't want a pad that takes along time to warm upto optimum.

[Bill Verburg]

I have been told that there is a sensor update required

It's actually not necessary to the proper fuction of the brakes. The pads need to be replaced well before the sensor will activate the dash warnigg light. I will need to look it up but as I recall you just need to fasten the wire up out of the way.

For street and very ocasional DE type stuff , save a bunch of money and get Axxis Metalmaster or PBR Metalmaster. Same pad different distrubution channel. Great low dust street pad at a very reasonable price

[Mark sP]

Thanks for the tips guys.

[slope-nz]

I'm not sure if this applyes to you but I know that on my wifes 93 968 you can't deleat the pad sensors without lighting the warning on the dash . Food for though, Randy

[Bill Verburg]

As w/ the Carrera and the 964 and 993 the pad sensors can be defeated.

There are 2 types of circuits(make or break)you just have to know which is in use
In one the wires when removed need to be spliced together to complete the circuit in the other they just need to be tied out of harms way.

[KobaltBlau]

On a car I had with them I just pulled the (not worn through) pad sensors out of the pads and zip tied the whole assembly (wires, sensors, everything) up out of the way. That worked just fine because the sensors are still hooked up as normal and obviously they will never wear through. I check my brakes visually on a regular basis.

[KTL]

On the 84-89 Carreras, just tie the sensors up out of the way. As long as the sensor tip has not been worn thru to break the connection, the dash light will not come on. Breaking the circuit is what causes the light to come on. Unplug the sensor from the harness and you'll confirm this.

You probably won't be able to use the sensors anyway? Any pads I have bought for my car (be they OEM Porsche from a Porsche dealer, or aftermarket) in the past four years did not come with a provision on the pad backing plate for plugging in the sensor!

[Craig 930 RS]

FWIW, I'll second the Metal Master endorsement that Bill gives.
They actually work decent in light track events, (tried 'em on the 930 brakes) and are a great buy -

[alf]

I ditched the sensors and use Metalmaster pads. Good on and off the track. No fade after 100 miles of track, with some brake cooling mods.

My jerry rigged brake cooling system actually worked...

alf