Recommendations for Local Shops - Looking to change Brake pads, Sensors and Rotors

[KKAISSI]

Hello,

I am new to this forum but heard really good things.

My name is Brandon and I own a 07 Cayman. This is my first Porsche and I am astounded at how much the Porsche Dealerships want to charge for a set of new brake pads, rotors and brake sensors.

I was looking for recommendations for local shops in the DC Metro Area that will do a stellar yet inexpensive job at OEM brake pad replacements, and potential Sensor and Rotor replacements.

Any advice would be great. I'm new to the Northern Virginia Area.

Thanks!

[Vicegrip]

This is a straight up DIY item. Want to learn to do it yourself? That is best the way to get work done that is both good AND inexpensive.

If not go to one of the shops that advertise in the Potomac PCA monthly Der Vorganger. Find the PCA friendly shops at www.pcapotomac.org

[Dr K]

Nice avitar, Kurt!

Brandon: you will be AMAZED how easy it is to change brake pads in these cars. Just about any of us will help you and several live quite close by.

[VaSteve]

Hello,

I am new to this forum but heard really good things.


Ha ha ... What have you been reading? All are correct. This really is a shockingly easy job.

[BlackTalon]

Welcome! Too bad you did not find this BBS a week earlier, as you could have brought your car to the Tech Session at Porsche of Arlington last Saturday and we could have put your car up on a lift and shown you what is involved in the brake work. The next tech Session will be on May 2 at Autobahn in Fairfax, if you can wait that long to take care of it.

[good hands]

I notice you lived in Mclean. If DIY is not your thing then Intersport ( almost accross the street from Porsche of Tysons ) is a great place to take it. Charlie Murphy is the owner and a great guy.

[Landjet]

I'm not a DIYer really, but even I could do the brakes on these cars.

My experience with the local independant shops is, they are not that much different in price from the dealer, and certain dealer specials[alignment at HBL or whatever it's called now] are cheaper. If anyone feels different, please clue me in as to who you think is cheaper.

[LPM911]

the worst part about changing your own brake pads for the first time is that when you are done, you'll be really pissed off at how much money you've spent on paying others to change them in the past.

[Trak Ratt]

the worst part about changing your own brake pads for the first time is that when you are done, you'll be really pissed off at how much money you've spent on paying others to change them in the past.2nd is if you forget to pump your brakes before rolling out of the driveway. Pads need to be reset on rotors. As others have said, easy DIY. Don't worry about the sensors they're for people that have the dealers work on their cars.

[KKAISSI]

Thanks Everyone for the advice.

I think I might actually try attempting this repair myself. I have some really good articles that give step by step instructions. The only problem now is where to get OEM parts for cheap?

I'll also definitely look into Finding a friendly shops at www.pcapotomac.org as well. I'll also just check how much Intersport will charge me. Thanks for the advice guys.

Again....thanks everyone. :)

-Brandon

[BlackTalon]

Brandon: A couple questions frist:

1. How low are your brake pads?

2. Do just fronts need replacing, or backs as well?

3. What is leading you to believe the rotors may require replacement? Has the car been tracked? If not, they should typically last more then 2 years.

It's pretty easy to look through the wheel spokes to see how much pad is left, and how much the rotors are worn. You should do this first before deciding what parts to buy.

[KKAISSI]

Thanks David,

The problem is, I am not very car repair savvy. However to answer some of your questions.

I dont track my car at all and not a very aggressive driver either.

The only reason I believe the rotors may require replacement is because I hear this scraping noise sometimes when i fist start driving my car in the morning. Plus I also got a computer system warning stating "Break Service Required" or something along those lines.

I only have 20k on my car. How often do you think I should start changing my brakes?

[Landjet]

Cheap OEM parts at Sunset Porsche or Suncoast Porsche. Google them.

[Landjet]

I only have 20k on my car. How often do you think I should start changing my brakes?

Before you hear the scrapping sound. Should have heeded your brake pad warning light. If the rotors are eaten up, you may have to replace them.

[BlackTalon]

Thanks David,

The problem is, I am not very car repair savvy. However to answer some of your questions.

I dont track my car at all and not a very aggressive driver either.

The only reason I believe the rotors may require replacement is because I hear this scraping noise sometimes when i fist start driving my car in the morning. Plus I also got a computer system warning stating "Break Service Required" or something along those lines.

I only have 20k on my car. How often do you think I should start changing my brakes?I would be surprised if even the pads require replacement at this point, but I'm not that familiar with Caymans. But with only street miles, rotors should last way more then 20k miles. A quick visual inspection should tell what you need. If you can drive down to Alexandria on Sunday I could take a look for you.

[KKAISSI]

Thanks Larry

Found Suncoast porsche but couldnt seem to find Sunset Porsche. I found the dealership in OR but they didnt seem to list the prices of any parts.

I might have the the wrong website. Ill keep looking. ;-)

[BlackTalon]

Thanks Larry

Found Suncoast porsche but couldnt seem to find Sunset Porsche. I found the dealership in OR but they didnt seem to list the prices of any parts.
That's them. You need to call or email for parts prices.

[Potomac-Greg]

2nd is if you forget to pump your brakes before rolling out of the driveway.

BTDT-x2! I have a steep, short driveway, and have made two frantic, high speed exits.

[KKAISSI]

Brakepad warning light came on after I sometimes heard the scrapping sound in the morning. Warning light has been on for about 1 week. Havnt been driving my car tho.

Thinking of getting it taken care of today or tomorrow. Might just take it in to a recommended local shop so I can find out what needs to be done in the next couple of hours. Want to drive my cayman this weekend. :-)

Thanks guys.

[Landjet]

Sunset advertises in Excellence magazine that parts are dealer cost plus 15%. They are in Oregon and I've gotten some great deals from them. Just bought a set of new front rotors from Suncoast for $415.

[KKAISSI]

Great! I guess thats them then. I'll give'em a call as soon as I take it in to find out what needs repair.

I'll compare prices and go from there.

Thanks guys

[Vicegrip]

I am on the McLean end of Falls church and can take a look at you car to see what is up. have been known to show how to do some of the easy DIY stuff too.

[BlackTalon]

Take up Vicegrip on his offer if you can. Also, don't be afraid to drive your car with that light on.

[racer]

Do you only hear the noise in the morning or at all times when you first start up. Given rising humidity and temp changes, it could be a light coating of "rust" on the rotors that is getting scraped off the first time you touch the brakes.. more common when the car sits a while between uses.

That said, the warning light should be accurate and while it would suprise me that pads needed replacement in only 20K miles, it wouldn't be inconceivable, especially if you bought the car used and had no previous knowledge of its brakes use.

Take a minute.. grab a flashlight and peer inside the calipers to locate the pads. You should be able to see pad thickness.. Of course, if you've never done this before, you might not be certain of what your are looking at. Surely someone here can post a pic or two of how to check brake pads.

Also consider that most manufacturers recommend a brake fluid flush every 2 years.. as an '07 and its now '09 you might be due for this as well.

[Landjet]

+1 on the brake fluid.

[Dr K]

I notice you lived in Mclean. If DIY is not your thing then Intersport ( almost accross the street from Porsche of Tysons ) is a great place to take it. Charlie Murphy is the owner and a great guy.X2 on Charlie and Intersport.

2nd is if you forget to pump your brakes before rolling out of the driveway. Pads need to be reset on rotors. As others have said, easy DIY. Don't worry about the sensors they're for people that have the dealers work on their cars.

BTDT-x2! I have a steep, short driveway, and have made two frantic, high speed exits.X3. Ask me how I know. But a couple of frantic pumps have always stopped the car before the end of the drive, and got my heart rate up as well.

I am on the McLean end of Falls church and can take a look at you car to see what is up. have been known to show how to do some of the easy DIY stuff too.You MUST take Kurt up on his offer, if only to see his garage (if you're lucky, you'll also meet his very nice family). If Kurt is not available on Saturday, you can drive down to Mt. Vernon where I'll be "helping" a Dorki (who happens to be 20X better at this than I am) and I'll help you (notice I don't offer the services of the "good" mechanic...). This is really an easy and fast job, and was the first DIY I did on my car P-car (although I had done more extensive work on other cars decades ago).