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How do you prevent the wheel bolts from getting marred up when re-installing? I've heard stories of the sandwich bag trick, but never tried - thoughts?
FWIW, below is the current parts/tools list for my upcoming front brake job. I just ordered the brake pad sensors from Pelican on the basis of this thread.
I used Suncoast because they were near the cheapest on the OEM pads and rotors, and are very close to me (I'm in Tampa) and I figured less chance of the parts arriving banged up during shipment. Turns out they arrived fine, very well packed in robust cardboard with bubble wrap on the inside, as well as well packaged in the OEM boxes from Porsche.
I've used Sunset Porsche Parts previously as well with good results. Pelican is odd, they have good prices on some things but mark up other parts considerably.
How do you prevent the wheel bolts from getting marred up when re-installing? I've heard stories of the sandwich bag trick, but never tried - thoughts?
Very-very good question. I did this project back in mid-March. I did about 3 bolts per wheel at-a-time, since I did not want to remove the wheels. Luckily I also have a heated garage. When the bolts were completed, I let them "cure" about 48 hours before I hand tightened them. Then, I waited another week, for more curing time (necessary???) before I tightened with the torque wrench to 118 ft.lbs. Each time I had the tools on the newly painted bolts, I used a pretty thick mil sandwich bag. It worked GREAT!. I remove my wheels at least twice per driving season, for deep cleaning projects. I'll use the bag trick every time now. My hope is that the bolts hold up for 2-3 years, then I'll re-do the project during the winter hibernation doldrums.
The sandwich bag trick is where you use a thick sandwich bag (one of those slider ones would work great), place it over the lug nut that needs to be tightened, between the surface of the lug nut and the surface of the socket.
Originally Posted by IMPorsche
Rich, thanks for listing the parts list, I think that would be useful for someone down the road.
Can someone please elaborate more on the sandwich bag trick?
I did brakes a couple weeks ago. Pelican sells aftermarket sensors from a German company called PEX for half the cost of OEM (they also sell some really cheap ones but I was loathe to try those....). And I installed caliper studs on all four wheels. Its a nice upgrade which will prevent stripping the aluminum threads in the wheel uprights as well as provide solid support for the calipers as you reposition them. Unfortunately, in the rear, I discovered belatedly that if you install caliper studs, one must remove the supporting bracket in order to provide enough reach for the caliper to fit back over the studs. Once I realized that, it went very smoothly and the second rear wheel went very quickly.
Only thing I can say is if you don't properly torque the caliper bolts it will be a very expensive repair when you start driving on it! A mistake you only make once for certain...
Only thing I can say is if you don't properly torque the caliper bolts it will be a very expensive repair when you start driving on it! A mistake you only make once for certain...
I am currently planning to use my current Harbor Freight 1/2” and 3/8” torque wrenches for this job, but am interested in upgrading.
Budget is $100-$125. I would like accuracy in the 5% range, but it doesn’t have to get calibrated to NIST standards either. Are there any decent options in that price range that would work for the caliper bolts (63 ft lb?) and the wheel bolts (118 ft lb)?
I am currently planning to use my current Harbor Freight 1/2” and 3/8” torque wrenches for this job, but am interested in upgrading.
Budget is $100-$125. I would like accuracy in the 5% range, but it doesn’t have to get calibrated to NIST standards either. Are there any decent options in that price range that would work for the caliper bolts (63 ft lb?) and the wheel bolts (118 ft lb)?
The harbor freight are fine, but a 1/2" gearwrench torque wrench would meet your needs
I am currently planning to use my current Harbor Freight 1/2” and 3/8” torque wrenches for this job, but am interested in upgrading.
Budget is $100-$125. I would like accuracy in the 5% range, but it doesn’t have to get calibrated to NIST standards either. Are there any decent options in that price range that would work for the caliper bolts (63 ft lb?) and the wheel bolts (118 ft lb)?
I bought a HF 1/2 specifically for my wheel bolts, $12 for wrench, always stays set at 118ft/lbs. If you watch some Youtube reviews of them you will see they are accurate enough. HF also has their premium Icon line.
I bought a HF 1/2 specifically for my wheel bolts, $12 for wrench, always stays set at 118ft/lbs. If you watch some Youtube reviews of them you will see they are accurate enough. HF also has their premium Icon line.
Storing "clicker" style torque wrenches in any setting besides the lowest one will cause main spring wear, give inaccurate readings, and eventually fail. ALWAYS release the tension in your torque wrenches when not in use.
Storing "clicker" style torque wrenches in any setting besides the lowest one will cause main spring wear, give inaccurate readings, and eventually fail. ALWAYS release the tension in your torque wrenches when not in use.