I know this is an old subject but I haven't found the answers I'm looking for.

I've always switched between street and track pads when doing track events. In the past it's been a cinch with my 996 cars. Well, I just changed the pads on my 997.1 GT3. What an total PITA.

I'm looking for tips and shortcuts to help me make this more pleasant and have a few questions.

1) I assume everyone removes and ties off their wear sensors, correct?
2) Has anyone come up with a replacement pin for the front calipers? That elongated coke bottle shaped bolt is a pain to get around the retainer spring clip. The pin and cotterpin of my 996tt was much easier.
3) Do you all retain the spring tension clip across your pads?
4) Do you just use your thumb to compress the tension clip when sliding in and out the retaining bolt, or is there a tool available that helps you avoid having to have 3 hands?
5) If you have any tips or tricks that work for you, please share them.

It's funny to me that for a car designed to go on the track they'd have done everything possible to make pad changes as quick and easy as possible.

Thanks for any help!

 

agree, but no suggestions. would love to hear some though.

 

I upgraded to the GT3 6 piston calipers on my turbo. Agree with you about the coke bottle shape pin, it's tough to get out. I depress the spring clip with a screwdriver or pliers while trying to pull the pin out. Turning the steering wheel so that the caliper is in a better position for leverage is the only other suggestion I have. I don't see how the pads would stay in place without the spring clip. One good thing about the coke bottle shaped pin though is that even if the rear bolt were to come loose and fall out, the pin is not going to let you lose your pads and braking ability.

Someone clever-er than I will probably chime in with some ideas.

 

I bent (flattened out) the clip to make it a bit easier to replace the pin. The amount of pressure required to push that baby in while sliding the pin in was too much for me.

Sure there's got to be a better way.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBtcT...er_profilepage

Not exactly what you are looking for but impressive nonetheless.

 

Cayman brakes don't have the coke bottle shaped pin and are way easier to deal with, although the GT3 brakes aren't much harder.

 

There is a tool available HERE which might help. It does not work on all springs - the site shows which type it helps with. I believe that the springs are only to prevent pad rattle. For track use cars, they can just be removed (any other opinions on this?).

 

I just drive the car with the race pads..., do not change them they are not that bad on the street, my car use is about 80% track.

 

You don't need the spring. Cup cars don't use them. Down side is that the pads may rattle a bit.

-td

 

The Cayman S calipers where like my 996 Turbo's. Way easier to do than the GT3. I used to brag that it took longer to change tires than it did to change pads. Well, Karma just bit me in the butt!

 

I've decided to follow this approach even though my car is 70% street.

 

This is simple and clever. Anyone using them on their 997.1 GT3?

 

the flat spring clip is unnecessary, i threw my out long ago.