Hi guys,

Took my Cayenne GTS into the dealer for minor service a few months ago (25K miles). Front pads and rotors were at 30%, Rear pads and rotors were at 50%. I also have a bit of squeaking from the rears just starting to roll up to 8-10mph after a complete stop - almost like the calipers aren't releasing. I am now currently at 29K miles.

I've read through countless posts on brakes and rotors. Was hoping a few of you could chime in on my plan. I have a local shop that is knowledgable in Pcars, and can do the brakes for me for much less than the stealership. Was planning to buy parts from Sunset.

Since front/rear pads are at 30%, I am planning to replace both the pads and rotors, as well as hardware and sensors. I think that makes sense.

However, for the rears, since I'm at 50%, I just thought it might be easier to just do the pads now and not have to worry about it later. However, is it possible for me to get to 60K on the rears before having to replace the rear rotors? (with new pads, will that help extend the rotor life in some way???) Or, if I'm going to do the pads, should I just pony up the money to do the rotors at this point?

Appreciate any input that you might have.

 

...told me the same thing...

Just did a complete brake r&r... with an indie mechanic.

 

30k miles and you replaced the rotors? What were the measurements? The squeal is caused by the factory pads at slow speed. Since I changed brands (my rotors at 55k were fine), I no longer have this issue. Hope things worked as well for you!

 

Yeah, apparently my fronts are at 30.6MM, and pads are at 30%... I bought the car CPO, so it's possible the former owner was a bit tougher on the fronts. I've decided to just replace both the pads and the rotors on the front, as there is a lip that I can feel on the front rotors now.

Rear rotors and pads are both at 50% per the dealer, so I'm trying to figure out if it's worth replacing them now since I"m already working on the fronts. Due to the sound, dealer suggested replacing the pads, but will that really solve the problem?

The squeak that I'm hearing actually occurs after releasing the brake pedal. For instance, after a complete stop, if I let the car roll before hitting the gas, there is a clear squeak that comes from both sides of the rears. Didn't realize it was a common problem with the OEM pads.

If I'm at 50% on my rear pads and rotors at 29K miles, and I just replace the pads, do you guys think I'll be able to squeeze out another 30K-35K on the rears if I just replace the pads? (or will the rotors just get worse)?

I appreciate everyone's input on this before I order parts this week.

 

I would leave the rear alone. No sense of replacing pads @ 50%. New pads will not make your rotors last longer. It all depends on how the car is driven. As far as the noise is concern, have your tried rinsing/soaking the brakes with a garden hose? It might be just a lot of brake dust. Regular car wash rinses mostly the caliper, but see if you can stick a garden hose without nozzle and rinse between the pads and rotors, you will see brake dust gushing out.

So yeah, I would just do the front for now, the sensor will tell you when it's time for the rear anyway. Also, you don't need new sensors for the front if the brake pad warning light is not on yet.

 

Thanks guys. Going to do the front rotors, pads, and hardware first, then wait for the rear sensors to go off. I appreciate everyone's input.

 

yea no sense in doing them if its not needed

 

Had to replace my front rotors at 47k. Worn pretty badly. I drive pretty hard though.

 

Had complete front/rear brakes done last winter at a independent mechanic, cost me $1,200 complete!! The dealership wanted $2,500 for the work!!! If I were you I would just get the complete job done, that way the rotors and pads are matching and you would have even wear....otherwise you may find yourself back having to get the rears done soon after the front were done.

just my 2 cents..!!

 

Most vehicles I have owned go through brakes on the front more frequently then the rear. Is it typical for the cayenne to need all four at the same time? Are most people replaceing with OEM pads or are they going with an aftermarket pad?

 

Ordered my parts for the fronts from Jeff @ Sunset. Super knowledgeable about the job, and made ordering easy. Now just waiting for the shipment to arrive!

Thor - I figured that I'll have to replace tires in about 15-18K anyhow, so will just plan to do the rears then. Can't believe how quickly the 21" tires wear on these things!!

4flynlow - probably depends on driving style, but like you, have heard most cars go through fronts before rears.

 

What type of pads did you order?

 

Considered going with Hawk, but in the end stuck with OEM. Might try aftermarket next time though.

 

Bruin,

FWIW, I have the same squeaking issue. I will replace the rears w/ Hawk Ceramics soon, and hopefully that cures it.

In general, I don't replace anything until the sensors go off.

Even at that, this last time I decided to just replace the front pads and not the rotors (rears looked fine too). Currently I have about 67k miles on my S and the brakes have not had any issues.

There is about a 2mm lip on the front rotors and I'm sure they are way out of spec, but I wanted to push it and see what would happen. My feeling is that as a nation we have knee jerk reactions to just about everything, and I would imagine that is how most "safety specs" come about. So I'm taking a calculated risk that I can push the rotors for 6mo after Porsche recommends replacement, and still be just fine. That being said, I will probably do the rotors and pads in the next month.

I run stock rotors and Hawk pads as a general rule.

anyway, have fun w/ the install!

 

Medtech, the install went well, thanks. Did the full fronts, left the rears as is. To your point, I think I can definitely wait on those. Fronts are grabbing well, no more annoying squeal from there. Also got around to new tires on all four corners plus alignment. Nice to have tread on the inside and outside of the tires now, as those wore down first.

The rear noise still bothers me... I did hose down the rears (rotors/pads) and a lot of brake dust flushed out. Noise was gone for about a day, but now back. Guess I will just learn to deal with it, though might bring it up again at the dealer if I end up in their neighborhood.

Thanks again everyone.