PCCB's - some perspectives.....

[Chris_in_the_UK]

All

I bought my Cayman in January 2013 from 911 Virgin after much looking and indecision!!.

The car I bought has PCCb's fitted which on the one hand, attracted me to it - on the other it was....Hmmmm (particularly after doing some research on the internet).

The car had 35700 miles on the clock and was in super nick with great history - all discs looked great, no grooves, chips or marks and the pads looked to have loads of life in them. I took the car at the screen price since I wanted to build up a relationship with an indy near me - car was booked in at Revolution Porsche in Brighouse for a 111 point check and a minor service. Report describes it as an excellent example and no issues (rusty exhaust clamp and low tone horn aside). I have done approx. 2000 miles since and decided (as you do) to do a brake check/refresh - cautious of the cost of PCCB discs etc. I started to amass the necessary parts. Genuine front pads were bought off Ebay from a reputable company at a bargain BIN of £250 delivered, pins and clips for both front and rear were bought from another reputable online dealer (again, genuine Porsche) which left the rear pads to be sourced.

I looked and looked and found nothing much below OPC prices except in the USA - plumped for the USA option having saved nearly £100 on UK prices - downside (AKA - own goal!) the duties and fees took them up to OPC prices....

Rear pads duly arrived from USA and yesterday was the day to do the fitting.

Front end - some difficulties in dis-assembly (as usual) all went well apart from:-

The anti vibration shims had basically rotted leaving the spring retainer sat in the front piston recesses on both callipers. This suggests to me, given the history, that these were original to the car - similar for the pads and discs (more later). I managed to carefully remove the offending springs by unbolting the caliper and carefully screwing a self-tapper into the centre and teasing each one out with some long nosed pliers. Same on both sides....

Ok, time to measure the discs and start the assembly.

Discs measured 34mm with vernier callipers - wear is minimal.

Pads (original) compared to new, are approx. 0.5mm worn - given there is no history to suggest they have been changed, this is encouraging given the cars history and condition.

The wear indicators had seized in and a couple broke during the removal - I ended up having to go the OPC route since I needed them today so paid double what they are typically available for!!!

Oh, the anti-vibration shims........... £80 odd plus VAT for 12!!!!

Hey ho, all back together and sorted with new pads, shims etc.

Just need to do the rear.

Impressed with the PCCB life given what I have seen and measured.

 

[Motorhead]

You have been a busy boy in the last week or so Chris..! Interesting to hear about the low PCCB disc and pad wear rates, which is some compensation for the high costs involved on initial purchase and subsequent replacement. Pity to hear though that the other minor components are much less durable. Jeff

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

There was a chap on the 996 forum with a Turbo with PCCBs, and he had done well over 100,000 miles on the original disks and pads. I'll question the logic of changing them, but I know you like a challenge, so well done!

 

[spyderman]

Was thinking the same, given you said "the pads looked to have loads of life in them". Bet you could sell your used pads on eBay. Chris.

 

[Rotorhead]

I've had PCCBs on my last three cars, and just spec'd them on my next. Personally, I think they are a 'must have' on a top performance sports car, with a wide range of detectable benefits that justify their initial cost, especially for road use. There is quite a bit of nonsense written about them on the internet, but the truth is, the latest generation CCBs are pretty much proven on Porsches, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens, Astons, etc. IME, pad wear and costs are the same as steels, but disc wear should be well into 6 figure mileages.