Brake Upgrade
- Thread starter Nick7602
- Start date
For what purpose Nick? Unless you're after ultimate track performance, in which case something like a very expensive GiroDisc upgrade would be appropriate - the standard brakes are more than adequate for fast road and track-day work on your 987.1. If you don't want to fit genuine Porsche parts then Sebro discs and Textar pads will do the job very well and are close to Porsche-spec.
Jeff
Jeff
Nick7602
New member
Good afternoon Jeff
I have the Sebro & Textar setup on the car at the moment, however the brakes do not feel that sharp, discs and pads are about 3 months old now
Perhaps im doing something wrong? is this how they are? never owning a Porsche before I have nothing to compare with so I cant gauge what they should feel like, yes they stop me just not as quickly as I would like, are Porsches known for fantastic brakes??
Kind Regards
Nick
I have the Sebro & Textar setup on the car at the moment, however the brakes do not feel that sharp, discs and pads are about 3 months old now
Perhaps im doing something wrong? is this how they are? never owning a Porsche before I have nothing to compare with so I cant gauge what they should feel like, yes they stop me just not as quickly as I would like, are Porsches known for fantastic brakes??
Kind Regards
Nick
Nick,
That set-up should be fine provided the components are the correct spec for your Cayman - I would say as good as original. Compared with many modern cars with a high degree of servo-assistance the brakes on your 987.1 do require a firm push, but they should retard the car aggressively if you hit them hard and I've had no braking problems on track with my 987.2. I'm still running with the original discs and front pads but have replaced the rear pads with Textar equivalents (they're what Porsche use as original fitment).
Before doing anything else I'd make sure that the brakes have been bled. There are two nipples on each caliper and most garages are too lazy to bleed both, so it would be as well to insist that this is done if you plan to have the brakes bled. The ABS unit needs to be activated via PIWIS or similar in order to perform a proper brake bleed procedure, so it's a specialist job. If that doesn't improve matters, it could be that your servo isn't functioning properly (maybe the vacuum pump isn't working?), or there could be a fault with the master cylinder.
Jeff
That set-up should be fine provided the components are the correct spec for your Cayman - I would say as good as original. Compared with many modern cars with a high degree of servo-assistance the brakes on your 987.1 do require a firm push, but they should retard the car aggressively if you hit them hard and I've had no braking problems on track with my 987.2. I'm still running with the original discs and front pads but have replaced the rear pads with Textar equivalents (they're what Porsche use as original fitment).
Before doing anything else I'd make sure that the brakes have been bled. There are two nipples on each caliper and most garages are too lazy to bleed both, so it would be as well to insist that this is done if you plan to have the brakes bled. The ABS unit needs to be activated via PIWIS or similar in order to perform a proper brake bleed procedure, so it's a specialist job. If that doesn't improve matters, it could be that your servo isn't functioning properly (maybe the vacuum pump isn't working?), or there could be a fault with the master cylinder.
Jeff
AndrewCS
Active member
Hi Nick,
`Sharp` is not a feeling I have ever had with any of my three Cayman`s, however … they have all `worked` superbly. All have been / are standard parts.
The pedal / system `feel` does change, it improves with continuous running - persistent use.
The Cayman R was / is noted for `excessive` initial pedal travel, sometimes interpreted as a lack of efficiency. My experience, including one notable emergency road event and an Anglesey track day was totally positive.
I doubt that you`re doing anything wrong, not sure how many and type of miles you`ve completed … it`s possibly a lack of seat time ? Have you `stood` on them at all / are they perhaps `glazed` ?
`Sharp` is not a feeling I have ever had with any of my three Cayman`s, however … they have all `worked` superbly. All have been / are standard parts.
The pedal / system `feel` does change, it improves with continuous running - persistent use.
The Cayman R was / is noted for `excessive` initial pedal travel, sometimes interpreted as a lack of efficiency. My experience, including one notable emergency road event and an Anglesey track day was totally positive.
I doubt that you`re doing anything wrong, not sure how many and type of miles you`ve completed … it`s possibly a lack of seat time ? Have you `stood` on them at all / are they perhaps `glazed` ?
Porsche brakes in general are less served and less initially “sharp” than many current cars, but this allows greater feel and the ability to modulate braking force more easily. It also makes heel and toeing easier.
My 987.2 with standard brakes certainly never lacked for braking when needed, it had the ability to lock the front wheels at will (or would have locked if the ABS not cut in) but this needed a very firm and definite pressure, so that you would not do it without meaning to.
Somewhere it is safe to do so try really pushing hard on the brakes and see if you can get them to locking point.
One thing sometimes overlooked, check out your seating position - if your right leg needs to be fully extended to push the brake pedal hard then you won’t be able to get proper force on it.
My 987.2 with standard brakes certainly never lacked for braking when needed, it had the ability to lock the front wheels at will (or would have locked if the ABS not cut in) but this needed a very firm and definite pressure, so that you would not do it without meaning to.
Somewhere it is safe to do so try really pushing hard on the brakes and see if you can get them to locking point.
One thing sometimes overlooked, check out your seating position - if your right leg needs to be fully extended to push the brake pedal hard then you won’t be able to get proper force on it.
Boxster 987.2 with fresh front discs and pads:
Brakes are a bit dead to start off, but my other moderns are far more servo'd esp the Skodas.
The 987 brakes work when used and the harder you press the efficiency is impressive, but I do think you need to exercise them as a routine, touch of the Italian Service works a treat.
The corrosion on the inside of the discs creeps in and will kill the braking, the outer surfaces all look perfect but you are loosing the inside face surface, common on all modern cars.
I think the way your car brakes is very normal for the Boxster/Caymans.
Brakes are a bit dead to start off, but my other moderns are far more servo'd esp the Skodas.
The 987 brakes work when used and the harder you press the efficiency is impressive, but I do think you need to exercise them as a routine, touch of the Italian Service works a treat.
The corrosion on the inside of the discs creeps in and will kill the braking, the outer surfaces all look perfect but you are loosing the inside face surface, common on all modern cars.
I think the way your car brakes is very normal for the Boxster/Caymans.
While I don’t claim expertise in this area, did you bed the pads in properly from new? This is something fairly new to me; we just used to try and take it easy until they were bedded in, however I’ve recently fitted EBC yellow pads to another car and followed their instructions. For road use, basically drive steadily for 500 miles then bed in by braking from 60mph about 10 times.
https://ebcbrakes.com/articles/bedding-in/
It mentions “slight smoke” I opened the door to look and fell back in choking! As Andrew says above, your pads may be glazed in which case this bedding in process should cure this too.
Does anyone have experience in this area they’d like to share?
https://ebcbrakes.com/articles/bedding-in/
It mentions “slight smoke” I opened the door to look and fell back in choking! As Andrew says above, your pads may be glazed in which case this bedding in process should cure this too.
Does anyone have experience in this area they’d like to share?
Nick,
Just to come back on this, I agree with all the above comments about brake pedal sensitivity, etc. I would have thought that if the discs and pads were replaced 3 months ago they should have bedded-in nicely by now (mileage and usage-dependent of course) and I wouldn't have thought glazing would be an issue, but Gordon's recommendation is worth a try.
As noted, if the brakes are functioning correctly they should feel responsive from any speed, but if you're used to over-servo'd brakes on your daily drive a degree of mental adjustment will be required. Because my Cayman is only a fun car I find that I still need to be very careful on the first brake application when jumping-in after not having driven it for a week or so, and I've had the car for more than 10-years!
If you're using a reliable Porsche Independent it would be worth getting them to drive the car to give you a second opinion as they'll be used to driving similar cars.
Jeff
Just to come back on this, I agree with all the above comments about brake pedal sensitivity, etc. I would have thought that if the discs and pads were replaced 3 months ago they should have bedded-in nicely by now (mileage and usage-dependent of course) and I wouldn't have thought glazing would be an issue, but Gordon's recommendation is worth a try.
As noted, if the brakes are functioning correctly they should feel responsive from any speed, but if you're used to over-servo'd brakes on your daily drive a degree of mental adjustment will be required. Because my Cayman is only a fun car I find that I still need to be very careful on the first brake application when jumping-in after not having driven it for a week or so, and I've had the car for more than 10-years!
If you're using a reliable Porsche Independent it would be worth getting them to drive the car to give you a second opinion as they'll be used to driving similar cars.
Jeff
Nick7602
New member
Good Afternoon Guys
I think I will try Gordons recommendation, but to be fair to the old girl the geometry was out ,and there has been a distinct lack of seat time, so lets see what the coming weeks bring now she back with me after some suspension work thats just been carried out, I have to say I love that comment from 911hillclimber "a touch of the Italian Service works a treat" your not wrong I guess.
Thank you guys for taking the time to read my thread and responding, its very much appreciated
Kind regards to all
Nick
I think I will try Gordons recommendation, but to be fair to the old girl the geometry was out ,and there has been a distinct lack of seat time, so lets see what the coming weeks bring now she back with me after some suspension work thats just been carried out, I have to say I love that comment from 911hillclimber "a touch of the Italian Service works a treat" your not wrong I guess.
Thank you guys for taking the time to read my thread and responding, its very much appreciated
Kind regards to all
Nick
I did not use my 987.2 for about 2 weeks recently, it only j-u-s-t started at the last battery gasp.
Ran like a bag o nails, sounded very poor, Tick Tick, Rattle Rattle, bump bump.
Took it out to warm it through then gave it an 'Italian Service' for as long as I dared on West Midland's roads, about 5 miles, lots of wide open throttle in 2nd and 3rd, 6500 in 2nd etc.
Got home, running sweet as a nut.
Oh, and nice bright disc surfaces too!
Thinking of this thread while out in the car today and used the brakes. They certainly do the job, just press harder initially.
Do that in the wife's Skoda Citigo and the car will stand on it's nose; modern cars are designed for my wife.
Ran like a bag o nails, sounded very poor, Tick Tick, Rattle Rattle, bump bump.
Took it out to warm it through then gave it an 'Italian Service' for as long as I dared on West Midland's roads, about 5 miles, lots of wide open throttle in 2nd and 3rd, 6500 in 2nd etc.
Got home, running sweet as a nut.
Oh, and nice bright disc surfaces too!
Thinking of this thread while out in the car today and used the brakes. They certainly do the job, just press harder initially.
Do that in the wife's Skoda Citigo and the car will stand on it's nose; modern cars are designed for my wife.
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