I just got a box of Mintex low dust pads for the street (thanks to Mike at A.W.E.). Is it necessary to replace the vibration dampers when swapping pads? I know you track junkies out there swap pads frequently, so I imagine there must be a way to reuse them.

 

Did he give you the rears as well? I bought the fronts many months ago, but had to hold off on the rears as they weren't in yet.

 

No rears available. No date given, but he does keep checking!

So, how about those vibration dampers...can they be reused?

 

Rats and I dunno. I would assume that they can? How damaged are they?

 

I was able to remove the pads easily without disturbing the vibration dampers. Piece of cake. I guess I will find out tomorrow if there is excessive vibration or squeal!

 

Keep me posted! I am about to do the same with my fronts (I guess). I was hoping that I could do front and rear at the same time.

What did you use to compress the pistons on the calipers?

 

You can buy a pad spreader. Or if you are cheap like me get a piece of wood about 4" by 12" and 1/4" thick. Once the pads are out slip this in, put it against the pistons and leverage against the rotor.

 

I used a simple C-clamp. Be sure to check your brake fluid resevoir. If it's full, remove some fluid to prevent overflow when compressing the pistons.

 

Or just place a towel around the outside of the resevoir (old trick) to catch the overflow if you don't have a method for removing the excess fluid.

 

Or just take your car to RUF in Carrollton (3.5 hr drive) and let them do it for $100 in labor.

They have a lot of goodies to consider while you're there.

 

vibration damper? is that the shim? if so, I've re-used them before on my previous cars without problem. just clean them up and put on some disc brake quiet grease

 

It is a shim with detents that fit into the piston. I'm not sure if they are all metal or if they have other material as well. There's a drawing here (as well as a decent writeup):

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index...iy&code=diy_bp

I read somewhere that you're not supposed to use anti-squeal grease on Porsche brakes. That doesn't necessarily mean it can't be done though.

 

Yeah, if the shims aren't rusted, you can reuse. I'm not sure why brake disc quiet can't be used on porsche but if that's the case, I'd follow it.

 

I've been using same squeel pads for a couple yrs.
I just clean all w/spray brake cleaner...........then I brush on a dab of the goop...shoot, what is that stuff...I've been using the same can for so many yrs I don't recall........I brush it in the center of the flat side of the squeel pad (helps it mate better w/back of the brake pad)........then I just slide the squeel pad down in place.

There's an old DIY over on Rennlist in the archieves or that one on Renntech.