DIY: 981 Porsche Cayman S Brake Pads Replacement and Caliper Stud Conversion

[@jusssy5078]

Great video, I'm definitely going to change mine myself when the time comes. I see you found the yellow arm to hold the hood cover 😎

[@TommyLGarage]

Yes thanks!!

[@ComputerGeekOnTwoWheels]

The stuff that you add to the back of the pad survives after a track day.? Everything I use gets burnt off, so they recommend not using anything to prevent ash built-up.

[@TommyLGarage]

It burns but remains on there and prevents squeaks

[@elvisahern3474]

I found this video very useful but I would like to add some things from my own experience. 1) I had trouble getting the studs to go in smoothly. The bottom studs went in hand tight without an issue but the top studs would not. One went in about 70% and the other barely 30%. I did not use a thread chaser and I was very liberal with my use of grease to prevent galling with the bolts so I assumed that was the issue. Even the top bolts required a socket to remove. I had to replace both front knuckles because the bolts stripped so I was anxious to use studs (rears don't require that many changes but not wanting to take the chance) and I was very cautious when inserting a bolt. I was able to get the 70-80% stud using a little amount of force. I had to use the thread chaser for the more difficult case. I needed to use a wrench to get it fully into the bolt hole, and even with a dry run on the caliper stud I needed to use a wrench to get it into place, and 2) previously I had no trouble replacing my rear rotors but this time one rotor did not appear to be sitting flat against the spindle but it turned out that the screws resolved that part.

[@TommyLGarage]

Thanks for the input

[@AHeatedMess]

Your garage looks great 👍🏽

[@TommyLGarage]

Thanks !

[@DarkTouch]

add the brake line bracket studs as well. this will help avoiding to cross thread those holes as well.

[@TommyLGarage]

Good call!

[@chenzhen802]

You should do some video for replacing belt and water pump for M3, there not much tutorial videos out there. Love all your videos ❤️

[@TommyLGarage]

Thanks!

[@gjhunter9326]

Is there a link to the caliper studs that I am missing?

[@pl5778]

Awesome video!! Was wondering if you will do a DIY on how to replace shifter cable. Its something I been wanting to do(numeric shifter cable) for a while but am no confident in doing so and theres lack of instructions online. Thanks and keep up the great content!

[@TommyLGarage]

Thanks. I will be looking into it for sure

[@lonniecrook1684]

I replaced my shifter and cables with the Numeric short throw shifter and cables in my 2016 Cayman S. I got all the support from the owner of Numeric that I needed. It's not a small job, but if you take your time, you should be able to work through it. My biggest challenge was removing all the interior trim pieces without damaging clips, tabs, etc. I think I counted about 30 pieces of trim that have to be removed to complete the job. It was sell worth the effort. The shifter is fantastic. It is so precise and tactile feedback is huge. I highly recommend installing this shifter.

[@lonniecrook1684]

Brake caliper stud conversion link??

[@totaledbifftv9083]

Question if I replace the rear discs and pads on a 981 PDK Boxter S does that require any recalibration. For the parking brake? Thanks

[@TommyLGarage]

None at all.

[@revolt360]

Thanks for the guide, followed exactly. But I now have brake pad warning and red exclamation warning light on. Will these go out or do I need to perform a reset? Thanks.

[@TommyLGarage]

You should not have any warnings. Make sure you connected the brake pad wear wires as I showed and the message will go away.

[@revolt360]

Thank you. Went back round the connections and found a loose one. All sorted 👍

[@TommyLGarage]

@@revolt360 happy to hear!

[@loekfelten548]

You should also do a wheel stud conversion, just like with the BMW 😉

[@TommyLGarage]

Looking into it actually :)

[@reshadstv5419]

Great video Tommy 🔥

[@TommyLGarage]

Appreciate it

[@JPGianfortune]

Thanks Tommy. I really enjoyed the video - very clear and concise! I'm thinking about doing the stud conversion as you demonstrated. Quick question though. Once the caliper studs on on the car, how does one compress the pistons? It would seem you no longer have the play needed to move the caliper back and forth as you did. Thanks again...

[@TommyLGarage]

Just use the hand side of the hammer to push them in. Make sure the brake fluid reservoir is open.

[@JPGianfortune]

@@TommyLGarage Hmmm... I'm thinking about the next time one changes the brake pads. Once the new studs are in place, how does one compress the pistons/pads to remove the caliper from the rotor. I'm new at this, but it would seem that the studs would prevent the back and forth movement of the caliper you demonstrated. I'm certain it's easy but I'm having a tough time visualizing it. Perhaps a new demonstration? Thanks and stay well.

[@jasonbarnett1256]

@@JPGianfortune I think you thought of something he didn't. You wouldn't be able to do his little trick of loosening the grip of the pads on the rotors, but that shouldn't be absolutely necessary. The caliper should still be willing to slide off the rotor without being "clearanced" like he showed. If there's a lip on the rotors, they may be stubborn, but you are still just pushing the pads back in a bit as you pull the caliper directly off the rotor. Not a real issue.

[@jklok]

Thanks Tommy!

[@TommyLGarage]

You bet!

[@MikeJenicCycling]

Thanks for the video! Did you put the parking brake in to service mode or did you just leave it off? After the new pads was there any initialization of the parking brake needed?

[@palja04]

Could you please share the brake stud kit length you chose? Thanks.

[@angelo12321]

Thanks Tommy another helpful video. Question: I've seen in other videos that the abs sensor needs to be removed too. This was a PITA for me. Did you do this without removing the sensor?

[@TommyLGarage]

I did not remove the sensor at all. Just unbolted the bracket.

[@DerekNYC]

Excellent DIY. I'd be curious how you lap times in the 981CS compares to your times in the F80. Do post them after your first track day. My guess is the F80 is faster but the 981 is overall more balanced and engaging but harder to exploit given lack of turbo available torque. Any chance your at LRP 4/19?

[@TommyLGarage]

I think the f80 may indeed be faster but this will feel like a gokart

[@Scruffy91]

We’re those new GTS tail lights on the F80 👀👀👀👀👀

[@TommyLGarage]

Coming soon!!

[@nycshelbygt500]

Stainless Steel Brake Lines for both cars. Violet needs her own Mechanics Creeper Seat.

[@TommyLGarage]

I already bought new lines. Will tackle the swap soon

[@neosaifamily]

awesome video, first time seeing a caliper stud conversion. Why do you need to do a stud conversion and is the conversion expensive?

[@TommyLGarage]

It's around $300 all-in. It just saves you from having to replace the studs every time you do the brakes.

[@angst1974]

The uprights are aluminum and will eventually strip out with the steel bolts. Mine should be here tomorrow for my 718

[@JRod2326]

Great video! Loctite link?

[@TommyLGarage]

I just added it In the description. Thanks!

[@pauljoyquilter359]

For a slightly nicer and more long term solution to your electrical tape on the wires, use some heat shrink tubing.

[@TommyLGarage]

Good call. I might do that. Thanks!

[@DocHoss]

Thanks for this suggestion, swapping pads for my 981 boxster gts today for my first track session and will do this!

[@Baerchenization]

The calliper bolts don't tend to strip, because they are stretching bolts, and therefore single use. You need a new set for every brake job. So if they are stripping, you are doing it wrong ;)

[@TommyLGarage]

Even a better reason to swap!! :)

[@angst1974]

not the caliper bolts , but the uprights they bolt into strip

[@slytherben]

Did you like the pads? Were they awful on the street?

[@TommyLGarage]

They were great on the street. A bit squeaky but that’s it

[@ICanReviewIt]

Hey Tommy, a bit off topic but what car would you recommend for 30-40k? CPO S4? I am 25 and looking to finally get a sports car. Worth it to maybe save up for the F80?

[@TommyLGarage]

B8.5 is a solid car. But I would get an rs5 for that price.

[@ICanReviewIt]

@@TommyLGarage I'm guessing you're not a fan of the B9? Should I consider a 340? Wanted something with a warranty for the next 1-2 years

[@deep6thisdeep6this92]

porche oem calipers are brembo calipers with the porsche logo on them. they are not bespoke either. you can buy the exact same calipers (and rotors) directly from brembo if you have cross-referenced the porche and brembo part numbers. same for many sports cars, (i.e. aston martin, only aston martin will jack up the price 3-400%, whereas porche only about 100%)

[@TommyLGarage]

Good to know. Thank you!

[@micraw714]

Nice job! So you don't have to do anything regarding the electronic emergency brake when changing the rears? Wonder if I could bypass that when doing my Macan brakes 🤔

[@TommyLGarage]

Nope. Just make sure your e-brake is not engaged

[@throker]

Are you resting the calipers on "Legos"?😁

[@DarkTouch]

RED LOCKTITE! you should also change the front and rear pad springs.

[@TommyLGarage]

Good point

[@amdrew5667]

Ty Tomku naprawde powinienes miec jakis warsztacik dla jakis fajnych furek!

[@TommyLGarage]

Musze najpierw prace rzucic

[@amdrew5667]

@@TommyLGarage niestety albo stety męska decyzja

[@palja04]

What torque spec did you use when tightened caliper on converted studs? Also could you please share the length of stud you have purchased? Thank you in advance, Tommy!!

[@Autofreakgarage]

#schmear. Great video as always, sir.

[@TommyLGarage]

Thanks !!

[@Shadowmanners]

I thought you were talking about shmee150 at first when you kept saying shmeeer lol

[@TommyLGarage]

I love Shmeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[@highorbit3282]

why not replace the sensors? Doing shit like this all over the car turns it into a nightmare for future owners.

[@TommyLGarage]

Because I swapped for track pads before track day so dealing with sensors is a pain. Also these sensors are not needed - people who don’t know their pads are worn just by looking at them should not own a sports car.

[@bldn10]

@@TommyLGarage With the sensor wires twisted together do you get the BRAKE warning light? I don't like having a bunch of "CEL"s even if they mean nothing.

[@sump22]

@@bldn10 The sensor works by always having a connection when you have enough pad, so tying them together makes the car think the pads are always fine. When the pads wear and break the connection between the two wires is when you get the light. So tying permanently keeps the light off.