Time for new brake pads

Including Spyders & GT4s
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staceybsnyder
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Howdy folks -
Of all the vehicle maintenance I've done over the years, I've never done brake pads. I need to do this on my 2005 Boxster base as I just stated getting a brake pad wear indicator on the dash.
Any suggestions for the best pads? Porsche OEM? Something else?

Thanks!
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Stacey Snyder
2008 986 Boxster S Limited Edition
2006 997 Carrera S 6 Speed
2005 987 Boxster Base 6 Speed
1986 Carrera 3.2 5 Speed

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CornerCarver
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Personal opinion based on personal opinion: Akebono Euro Cermamics. I've had them on my 981 Cayman and just received a set that I'll be putting on my new-to-me 987 Boxster. With the 2015 Cayman the stock pads two bad characteristics: 1. they were overly sensitive on initial application, and overall non-linear in the their pedal force to brake power level, in other words they were touchy at first, but as you increase pressure they increased stopping power less. 2. the dust... Porsche pads are either Textar or Galfer and they dust like crazy.

Akebono pads are gentle at first touch and increase pressure at a linear rate with pressure, and essentially don't dust at all. On other cards I've tried other vendors ceramic pads and they're pretty good too, Hawk for example. BTW, I did a driver education day at Oregon Raceway Park in the Cayman and never felt a hint of fade and didn't notice any smell from them when my session was over either.

Randy in Bend

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kmaneh
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Check your rotors for wear as well. If they are more than half worn (usually >1mm wear) they will be beyond the wear limit before you new pads wear out. IIRC a new rotor is 28mm thick with the wear limit at 26mm. I use Zimmerman rotors on my 986 with success, and value.

You are unlikely to get the wear sensors out without breaking them, but they are cheap. And you don't know which failed.

Unless you are planning to change front and rear pads, you need to measure the thickness of all 8 pads, and should change both sides, or all 4 corners, at the same time. Pads are an easy DIY. Rotors are a little harder, but DIY with a little guidance. Lots of DIY videos out there.
Beautiful BC Canada
1989 928GT
1980 924 Turbo
2000 Boxster S
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Kaybat
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Whatever brand you decide on, try to get them at FCPEuro.com , they have a lifetime replacement guarantee (which they honor).
'14 Cayman S
'06 BMW Z4M(sold)

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