996 Brake Pad Replacement

[daleyellin]

I just purchased EBS Yellow Stuff brake pads for both the front and rear of my 996. The EBS documentation mentions that the pads have "noise reduction shims". Do these pre-installed shims have any impact relating to the Porsche brake pad vibration dampers? Also, I've seen a couple of different instructions on new pads and the vibration dampers. One says they can be reused and the other says they should be replaced when new pads are installed. And, finally, a similar question on brake pad retainer kits. One repair manual doesn't really say anything about them, yet the Porsche instructions say that they should be replaced. I'm not surprised that Porsche would recommend replacement, but what is actual requirement/need.

Thanks for the assistance.

Dale Yellin

[eric523]

I would replace the vibration dampers with new. The "noise reduction shims" and vibration dampers should be one in the same. If the new pads come with them then that's all you should need.

Don't worry about the hardware kit unless yours is damaged of has 150k miles or something like that. Porsche also recommends changing the caliper bolts every time you torque them but they should be fine to reuse if you make sure you torque them correctly.

You didn't mention rotors, but I would recommend measuring their thickness and if they are thick enough, have them machined to a flat surface. If they are too thin then replace them. No sense buying nice pads and not addressing the rotors as well.

[daleyellin]

Eric -- Thanks for the info and advice on the checking the rotors. Good point, and well taken.

The "noise reduction shim" appears to be a very thin rubberized material that covers most of the back of the pad. Having not pulled things apart yet and seen a vibration damper, does the description sound like there are one and the same?

Thanks, again, for the advice.

Dale

[eric523]

OK, I haven't used the EBC stuff but I know what kind of pad you're talking about.

The factory dampers are stick on pads about the same size but they have aluminum pieces that fit into the pistons on the caliper and hold the pads in place.


I'm not sure if you can use the two on top of each other, probably worth a quick phone call to EBC and see what they recommend.

If it were me, I'd probably pull off the flat shim of EBC's and use the factory style. That would keep the vibration down AND keeps that pads in firm place so they don't chatter when switching from forward to reverse braking. Maybe EBC found out that the piston inserts weren't necessary?

[daleyellin]

Eric -- I took your advise and checked with EBC. They are stating that the "shims" on their pads replace the "vibration dampers". They also, said do not re-fit the OEM shims.

To confirm that we were on the same page I specifically asked if the EBC shims eliminated the need for the OEM shims. They responded that that was correct.

I guess I'll take a look at the OEM vibration dampers when I prepare to install the pad and if it is similar in size and thickness to the EBC shim, I'll have to make a decision then.

Thanks, again, for the advice. I'll try to remember to post and update when the work is completed.

Dale

[eric523]

Sounds good! Good luck, the work isn't too bad at all. On a lift it takes me about two hours to replace pads, rotors, shims,sensors and clean everything up real nice but I've done the dance a couple times. Make sure to get yourself the torque specs for all the bolts and have a good torque wrench, the caliper bolts require some muscle.