plate lift on S2 and turbo calipers

[peanut]

I thought any members that were unfamiliar with this phenomena might be interested to see the result of 'plate lift'

One of the front brake pads became stuck some time last year and eventually only about 1/3rd of the pad was contacting the rear of the brake disc. its possible that due to the rear of the disc being completely covered by a metal sheild it may have escaped the notice of the last MOT test inspector.

I didn't notice any significant reduction in braking efficiency but I rarely if ever need to do an urgent or emergecy stop.

Interestingly enough recent changes in the MOT test means that even discs in this appalling state cannot be failed providing the overall braking efficiency measured, is according to the current standard ! This disc passed the MOT just 2x weeks ago !

Aluminium brake calipers have stainless steel plates fitted top and bottom to protect the relatively soft aluminium from the edges of the steel brake pads. Over time the heat and build up of fine dust and road grit gets under the SS plates and the resultant oxidation causes further plate lift which allows more crap to get under the plates.

Eventually the brake pads start to jam between the 2x SS plates and do not retract adequately. This causes dust and muck to build up on the caliper pistons due to the lack of normal self cleaning movement of the pistons . This can eventually lead to pitting of the piston surfaces as the pistons jam.

Its very important when replacing brake pads to make sure that the brake pads can move freely through the full range of the caliper pistons as the pads wear in normal use. If you need to tap, hammer or prise the pads in or out of the caliper then its essential that they are eased preferably by fitting new SS plates and refurbishing the calipers. As a temporary measure the top and bottom edges of the brake pads can be filed carefully until they move freely and the plates cleaned thoroughly .
Hope this is of interest to anyone who hasn't tackled their brakes yet

 

[Copperman05]

My rear calipers are now suffering plate lift, anyone know who does a good refurb?


Edd

 

[peanut]

can only enbed one image per post . here is a good picture illustrating the severe plate lift on this caliper

 

[chrisg]

Edd

refurbing the calipers can be done by specialist like Promax etc. On the otherhand a competent non-porsche specialist can also do a very good job. The main element is not the refurb per se but having the skill and tools to remove the hex head bolts that hold the SS plates in = oxyacetylene kit and a steady hand/ experience.

Not sure whereabouts you are in London, but if you could take the calipers off the car or take the car to this chap just outside Harlow he'll do you an excellent job:

Mark Fish Motorsport

01279 431628 - Mark has refurbed callipers for me on both 944's (S2 & Turbo) that I've owned as well as running various race and fast road cars for me over the last 20yrs.

Yours

Chris

 

[peanut]

ORIGINAL: Copperman05

My rear calipers are now suffering plate lift, anyone know who does a good refurb?


Edd

replacing the plates and cleaning the caliper is a fairly straightforward DIY job Edd. You can buy the plates quite cheaply. refurbed exchange calipers are horrendously expensive due to the labour intensive work the refurb takes.
if your pistons are ok ,not pitted and move freely I'd say have a go at refurbing yourself and save yourself a few £hundred pounds .

There might be a guide on Pelican or Clarkes website . I shall be refurbing mine shortly and will video if I can. Yesterday I tried and after three of my neighbours had stopped me for a chat the camera fell over then the battery went flat grrrrr[]

 

[944Scott]

Mine are due to come off the car tomorrow ready for re furb as my hose clamps arrived today, after seeing the picture though Im going to pop out there now and see if im suffering with plate lift.

 

[peanut]

how much work are you proposing to do yourself scott ? I've just bought some new brake pipes all round but its such a messy difficult job i'm tempted to shove it into the local garage. The main reason why I am reluctant is , garages usually get the donkey work done by unskilled labour and they almost always break off the brake nipples and twist and fracture the brake pipes . it ends up costing a fortune.

 

[944Scott]

Not a great deal really im going to send the calipers away for a refurb, cosmetic more than anything I guess. I had a look at the plates and they are all sitting flush, bleed nipplies don't look too old and I can see the disc's and pads are quite recent.

If I can afford it I might put a set of braided lines on but I have spent a fair bit this month[][]

 

[Eldavo]

The HEL brake lines are great quality and a great price.

 

[Copperman05]

ORIGINAL: peanut
You can buy the plates quite cheaply. refurbed exchange calipers are horrendously expensive due to the labour intensive work the refurb takes.

I found a site that seem reasonable £150 a pair calipers, http://porschecalipers.co.uk/uk/82/pages/26/services.html but seems they only clean the pistons and seals before re-assembly, just sent a email asking for price inclusive.

Edd

 

[944Scott]

Thats who I was planning to use[]

Hmmm Hel eh must have a nosey and see how much a set will cost me.

 

[peanut]

you need to read the small print here. looks like they don't replace anything except the brake nipples.
Plates and piston seals are extra as are pistons if required .Their primary business is I suspect powder coating.
Total cost depends on the condition of your calipers.
Personally I'd go for exchange if possible as at least you have a fixed price.

I'll be surprised if you'll find any refurbed calipers at much less than £200 each
porsche caliper

diy caliper refurb

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: peanut

ORIGINAL: Copperman05

My rear calipers are now suffering plate lift, anyone know who does a good refurb?


Edd

replacing the plates and cleaning the caliper is a fairly straightforward DIY job Edd. You can buy the plates quite cheaply. refurbed exchange calipers are horrendously expensive due to the labour intensive work the refurb takes.
if your pistons are ok ,not pitted and move freely I'd say have a go at refurbing yourself and save yourself a few £hundred pounds .

Edd,

I'll second Nick's comment - if the bolts holding the plates in are not too far gone. it's not a difficult DIY replacement. Here's a thread I did on it a while back.

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=626776&mpage=1&key=plate%2Clift&#626776

If you want to wait 'till the weather is a bit warmer then I'm happy to have a go at doing yours as well one Saturday. I can't remember where in London you are (sarf of the riva, naah?) but you can't be too far from me. Alternatively, Mark Fish (as recommended by Chris) is a good option - he's very capable and not too expensive.


(That's a cheeky new sig Nick. Not sure what I think about that! [] )



Oli.

 

[Copperman05]

Thanks Oli that's a great idea. I'm in Crouch End, N8, a few miles from you.


Edd

 

[robwright]

I am with Oli on this one. have a go yourself I did and the results were amazing!! You shouldn't need to replace the plates just clean them up repaint and refit.

One of my caipers after refurb.

 

[zcacogp]

Of course, I'd forgotten you are in Crouch End. (Posh part of town, natch!)

Remind me of this thread when things gets a bit warmer. The offer will remain open (but I'm not going to freeze my appendages off at -9975828145.9DegC for the sake of some brakes!)


Oli.

 

[edh]

I'm having a conversation with antti of 9products about the possibility of mounting Boxster s / 996 calipers on an s2 hub. He might be able to make an adaptor.

It might be a cheaper alternative than refurb calipers if the job is much more than spring plates.

 

[peanut]

adaptor brackets already exist. There is a guy in Finland that is producing them . He's a member either on here or tiptec

 

[edh]

Might be the same person? Antti is Finnish. He already does adaptors for gt3 and tt calipers . I didn't find anyone doing the Boxster s adaptors

 

[simkin911]

ORIGINAL: edh

Might be the same person? Antti is Finnish. He already does adaptors for gt3 and tt calipers . I didn't find anyone doing the Boxster s adaptors

I have bought stuff from Antti before - I would be astonished if you are not talking about the same guy.