Porsche Boxster: Changing Brake Pads

[@crkproductions5000]

The best and simplest video I’ve seen.

[@uspaint]

Big props to this man. Had to come back for a refresh. Time to change the pads again.

[@marksutherland774]

great video, clear and easy to follow. There are alot of jobs that can be done on the Boxster with a little patience, thanks again for posting an easy to follow guide, doing mine at the weekend.

[@joe-serioushoward6201]

Great video and really good safety points. I’m doing my 986 front pads later today. Appreciate the refresher. 👍👍👍

[@OnerousEthic]

I love the opening comments regarding the use of disposable gloves and the danger of working under the car. It’s a nice alternative to hearing about jackstands, knowing that most people don’t listen to that stuff anyway…

[@perebrine]

Thank you so much for your videos on the Boxster. You make everything look so simple. Good luck to you.

[@BeatTheBush]

Johnny Brine I'm just so glad I can help. It really is that simple. After you do it once you'd wonder why the shops charge so much to do it. It's knowledge = $$$

[@timothywallace7510]

After watching your video I went outside and within an hour had it done - first time trying. Knocking the pin out was the hardest, need to get a tool to do that next time, used a hammer and screwdriver. Thanks for the video!

[@BeatTheBush]

Timothy Wallace You have no idea how happy this makes me! =D =D =D Lets all never go to the shop, change our own brake pads, and laugh all the way to the bank. Wa ha ha hah aha.

[@ratpack12va]

Love to see you replace the Spark plugs ! Great videos ! Thanks

[@BeatTheBush]

Vincent Tortolano Darn, I just changed them for my 120k. It'll be long while before they need to be changed again but I could do one just to show how to do it anyhow. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@jimkotelly9288]

Great video. I changed the front pads on my 2000 Boxster this weekend. The caliper pin was MUCH harder to remove than yours was though. I broke 2 screwdrivers banging it out. I think the pads had likely not been changed in 5 years and the pin was covered in gunk. A good coat of PB blaster along with scraping as much as I could with steel wool helped a lot.

[@BeatTheBush]

Interesting. I sure am glad mine weren't so hard to remove. =D

[@theguy67543]

Best video on this topic found on KZbin, thanks!

[@BeatTheBush]

Thanks for watching it, hope it helped!

[@mattbones3780]

Oh wow, I should have watched your video before I thought I knew what I was doing cause I removed the entire brake calipers and all lol. Great video dude! Can't wait to check out the rest of your 986 vids! Thanks for the detailed work 💯👌

[@massemord]

perfect! very clear and great positions of camera during the video!!!!

[@chloe223100]

great video...nice camera work and clarity.

[@BeatTheBush]

matt mitchell Thanks for watching! =D

[@OmarsGarage]

Thanks for the video. I’ve been changing brake pads since I was a teen but it will be the first time on my Porsche. Seems like easier than most cars.

[@BeatTheBush]

Lucky me to only change it on the Porsche lol.

[@Azhar91367]

Thanks for the great video, very useful. The first time I did my breaks and it was amazing experience.

[@BeatTheBush]

You're welcome! Now... every time you do it.... PROFIT!

[@Ray888z]

Brakes, not breaks

[@bryson571]

nicely done video. much clearer than I've seen others do it. I am buying an 08 S really soon and this will save me tons of bucks. besides...I like DIY stuff like this. thanks

[@BeatTheBush]

Bryson Mitchell Thanks! So glad you can make use of the video. =D Those guys at the shop always charge so much!

[@christame994]

Great video thanks. Definitely will try this now!

[@garylearnard7637]

Job well Done, Noticed you Did not Mention about the rotor being resurfaced if needed before new brake pads installed Thanks you for taking the time to Document and quess I'm ready to do mine cheers :-P

[@BeatTheBush]

+Gary Learnard Yeah, I guess I was just focused on changing it only. I do need to change my rotors and have the parts already. Will be doing that soon. Actually, not resurfacing it does make it wear down slightly faster, but with the easy of changing your own brake pads, I can deal with it. Not recommending others to do that or anything.

[@julianceballos8795]

Thanks for the awesome video. I am a young man that's inspired by your car and financial videos. Thank you 😁

[@BeatTheBush]

You're welcome! It's good to work on things yourself and learn at each project. Then you can save a bundle doing it.

[@Latpip]

Very helpful! Haven't had to change my pads yet but now atleast know how.

[@BeatTheBush]

Thanks! Both sides seriously only takes 30 minutes.

[@jimjimmyjam8242]

Thank you for the video. I'm doing pads and rotors on my 2003 today.

[@BeatTheBush]

=D Easy. Don't inhale the dust.

[@jimjimmyjam8242]

I didnt have a face mask so I put my shirt over my nose when I sprayed and scrubbed the brake dust. Not professional but it worked

[@steviemurdoch3213]

Very well explained good tip with resetting piston without piston reset tool good watch buddy

[@BeatTheBush]

=D Surprisingly, I haven't done much Boxster work because nothing is breaking on my car. I drove it a lot less ever since I semi-retired.

[@GG-si7fw]

I like to spray Brakleen on everything while it is apart, just put something under the brake to catch the drips. I also use brake grease on the pin and the contact point of the metal "spring". BTW, I have a 2001 Boxster S with Hawk HP+ and they still squeal a smidge. I like your Boxster, the white with those wheels look right.

[@BeatTheBush]

Gary G Thanks for watching. As long as you are doing your own pads is all I wish. Now if everybody would do their own pads since its so darn easy. My take on the cleaning of the brakes is that they get dirty after a few weeks anyway so I'm just going to let it be.... kind of like not washing the car and let the rain wash it. lol.

[@briansturgill5905]

Porsche really makes the Boxster easy to DIY.

[@BeatTheBush]

I'd say the fuel pump is a pain in the butt to get to still.

[@4x4simon4x4simon]

Great video. Thanks.

[@perebrine]

Fingers crossed if everything works out, I will be getting a Boxster within a couple of months.

[@BeatTheBush]

Johnny Brine You wont regret it. After working on a japanese car, the Boxster's parts just blew me away. More % of the parts are machined and even the jack is aluminum rather than steel to save weight.

[@miklom41]

Great video thanks, need to do this on my 01 shortly

[@BeatTheBush]

Remember to be careful not to breathe in the dust.

[@lindacurtis9730]

Thank you for your video and your help.

[@BeatTheBush]

You're welcome!

[@Ray888z]

Do we need to suck out brake fluid first (so it doesn't over flow when squeezing pistons)?

[@TerranceGglenn]

Thank you so much

[@2810pakito]

Could you do a vídeo on how to Paint the calipers?

[@BeatTheBush]

It'll be hard considering I don't want mine painted, maybe I can paint someone else's? When I was thinking of doing it long ago, I wanted the Porsche logo to not get covered.

[@keithkam3947]

Thank you very much !

[@BeatTheBush]

Did you change the cabin air filter and change brake pads all in one day!? =D

[@keithkam3947]

Not yet... will be doing it this weekend 👍😁

[@BeatTheBush]

Nice! Easy peazy.

[@GeorgiGeorgiev-ne9ps]

one question: how many inches are those wheels? great video

[@BeatTheBush]

17"

[@ratpack12va]

Thanks sounds good !

[@christurbo951]

Minted pads are great replacement pads.

[@BeatTheBush]

***** I assume you mean Mintex, in that case, I've been using them for 6 months now and I'm pretty satisfied with their performance.

[@jamiegacos4857]

Same process for rear brake pads?

[@BeatTheBush]

Yes 👍

[@kingofthewestmidlands4049]

Copper or lithium grease for the back of the pads

[@Autobhnspd]

Do you change the brake pad dampers? if so how many do you need and what size? Im asking for 2001 Boxster S

[@deeyoucee7637]

how do I remove the shim on my 05 (987). It stuck on the pad...thanks

[@BeatTheBush]

+dee youcee Why would there be a shim? Maybe it's part of the brake pad and you're not really supposed to remove it.

[@deeyoucee7637]

+BeatTheBush see this video, shim is shown at the 1:02 mark. thanks

[@BeatTheBush]

+dee youcee Are you sure? No shim in your link.

[@BeatTheBush]

+dee youcee Huh, when he took it out, it didn't have a shim. It looks like it's stuck on with very stick double sided tape so gentle prying should work. You could also soften it up first by warming it up a bit with a heat gun. In any case, this shim business is a bit funny to me. Perhaps you only need the shim if your calipers are after market?

[@BeatTheBush]

+dee youcee Interesting, my boxster doesn't have shims, two pistons comes straight out and contact the brake pads directly.

[@dereklaverne7608]

I have an 08 boxster. Do you think its the same? I know I need to change the brakes in the back and being able to do it myself would save me a ton of money

[@BeatTheBush]

John Bowman Heck yeah, the shops see a Porsche and think $$$ and charger you an arm and a leg. I'm guessing they'll want $300 for the back? Anyway I'm guessing (since I don't have an '08) the procedure will be identical, just the pads you get will likely be different. Good luck!

[@Jimidan1000]

BeatTheBush My shop wants $1,000 to do the front and back, which includes new rotors. I can buy all of the parts for $280 and do it myself in half a day. I can save even more if I have the rotors turned at a local machine shop.

[@BeatTheBush]

Jim Daniel Yep! So glad to hear you are saving money or rather... not getting ripped off. I call this trick giving them the finger. I would like to do it in real life but its rude. =/

[@Jimidan1000]

BeatTheBush You are a hoot! To be totally fair, the shop would probably use Brembo parts which would cost $700, and I will be using aftermarket parts, but I don't really need Brembo rotors and pads for my kind of driving. And the shop guys are just trying to make a living the best they can...I cannot imagine what the stealership wants to do the brakes! Can you?

[@BeatTheBush]

True they are making a living off of a service they provide but there are numerous shops that tries to rip people off. One tried that one me just a few months ago. No way they will only charge $300 labor for front and back pads and rotor. I estimate more like $120*4=$480. Dealership does roughly a 100% markup from street prices before labor. That's from my 2 times experience with them.

[@1acc2rulethemall]

So I was checking this Boxster 2.5 v6 last week.. wasnt sure if i should buy it. But you convinced me to go for it. :-D thank you, i guess ill have much fun with it. :)

[@BeatTheBush]

With proper care and hopefully no IMS issue, it lasts a very long time. Mine is at 155k now.

[@peters1437]

The V6 version is a very rare find...

[@b.g.4353]

Maybe you shouldn’t clearly not knowing anything about the car or Porsche vehicles. It has a flat six engine and it’s a 2.7

[@Ray888z]

What about the dampeners?

[@muckman5509]

Yeh I was wondering the same thing. Do you really need this item or can you just run it like every other caliper and just run a bit of grease

[@youngkobe2373]

Is it the same for the back

[@BeatTheBush]

ociel carillo You mean the pads are the same for front and back?

[@youngkobe2373]

ok thank you

[@BeatTheBush]

ociel carillo Sorry, read your comment as a statement. As in 'It is the same for the back". The brake pad itself is different but the procedure is pretty much the same.

[@youngkobe2373]

no problem i all ready change my breaks today super easy work thank you for the video

[@patrickovitsj4467]

Nice video. You might as well have cleaned everything before putting the pad and wheel back.

[@하늘도시-y8l]

굿 ‥

[@BeatTheBush]

+김윤상 우수한

[@tamparecording5654]

1:00 - 3:00 Yeah, we know how to remove a wheel

[@BeatTheBush]

Sounds like you do but many does not.

[@AnthonyStromDesign]

You should splurge and buy a breaker bar.😁

[@BeatTheBush]

Oh... I probably need one.

[@nicholaswarburton3855]

Not a bad video, but I want to highlight a couple of points. Firstly, when using a hydraulic jack, you always use axle stands to support the vehicle. Do not rely on just the jack. Secondly, you should not hit plastic handled screwdrivers with a hammer as the handle can split or shatter. Use a proper metal pin punch. I noticed that you did not tighten the wheel fixings correctly as the should be nipped up when the wheel is still off the ground and only finally tightened/torqued when on the ground. You should not need more than half a turn of the wrench when vehicle is on the ground to achieve final tightness. Mechanics are not there to rip you off. We are here to carry out a professional service. Although you did successfully and fairly competently change the brake pads, you did not inspect the rotors for minimum thickness, warpage or heat damage. Did you check the condition of the brake fluid, as it absorbs moisture which lowers its boiling point which can cause brake failure. Did you inspect the solid and flexible brake lines for perishing/damage? Be careful when retracting the pistons in the manner you did, as this can damage the seals in the brake master cylinder or the ABS valve block. This is what you pay for when you take it to a trained professional. ;)

[@BeatTheBush]

Nicholas Warburton Thanks for the tip pro mechanic! I did figure out to mostly tighten the wheel off the ground and do the final tighten on the ground later on. I do check the rotors all the time through the holes of the rims and plan to make a video on how to change the rotors when I do them. I've been putting off doing the brake fluid and did notice it starting to feel a bit muddy. I will bleed them soon enough. Didn't look the the brake lines, will do that next time I'm in there. I have shattered the plastic handles on a screwdriver before. Opps. Not too worried about this case since the impact is pretty minimal. The problem is, you never know if the random shop will be as professional and honest and inspect everything like you outlined. A random mechanic I found wanted to do a valve job but retracted to doing a seal only. But I finally decided to fix my own oil separator for $130 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6HOgoiBoLqWgM0) and that fixed everything. This is compared to the $6k/$2k the mechanic quoted me. One bad mechanic is not representative of all, I know. But a brake pad job is easy enough.

[@nicholaswarburton3855]

That is why it is important to check out your mechanic first through forums or local reputation. Check if they are qualified or as in the USA, Licensed. I have been a college lecturer in Automotive Technology for the past 20 years in the UK and trained as a Technician. So I have to teach those tips I gave you. The brakes are the most critical component on the car. If you 'have a go' and get it wrong, your vehicle simply becomes a projectile and many lives are at stake. Save a few bucks now, but do time for it later!!

[@BeatTheBush]

Nicholas Warburton I had a good reputation local mechanic but he gradually rose prices. How do you check if they are licensed? Not sure if being licensed means trust worthy. It is a free market and they are allowed to charge anything they want. Thank you very much for you insights. It'll be good for everyone to be more safe or at least know the things to watch out for.

[@nicholaswarburton3855]

I imagine that you can check online on what I believe is Angie's List or whatever your state official site has. Bureau of Automotive Repair appears to be in California. Sorry I can't be of more help on this, but I am in England!!

[@mattka5354]

Nicholas Warburton There are a lot of American mechanics that are crooks. You seem to be the exception because you sir live in England. I would bring my car to you if I were living there. Great comments by the way.