*Eastep*

Hello, everyone. I'm going to be replacing the pads and rotors on my '99 C2, and looking to use new hardware, as the current bolts are of unknown age/reuse. The bolts that are currently installed are T55s, but all I'm finding for sale, are hex head style. Regarding these, I have a couple questions:
Are all the caliper bolts the same, for all years? Same lengths etc..?
Any common preference as to using torx style or hex head?

Thanks for the help

ISO100

I just did same project on my 99 996 c2. I purchased bolts from autohausaz (no affiliation) and the bolts were torx heads, while the (maybe original to 99?) existing ones were hex. I dont think it matters. I had the 996 on track in march and all seemed ok.

*Eastep*

Thanks for the info.

Splitting Atoms

Same for me when I did mine last year. My old ones were hex (99 C2) and the new ones were torx. They weren't very expensive, as I recall. If your 99 has T55 torx, they have been replaced with the new style. No harm in replacing them again.

*Eastep*

Thanks. I searched through my cars service history, and seen that 2 new caliper bolts, were installed. I'm guessing it was those two. I ordered 8 new bolts, for my own piece of mind.

billh1963

I believe the correct practice is to replace them when you remove the calipers. I always have. They are inexpensive so no need to skip that step.

SoCal911t

Interesting. When I did brakes on my '99 C2 a couple of years ago, the original bolts were hex and the only replacements I could find were Torx (M12x72mm).

Joel987

The caliper bolts from Autohauz look like torx, but my T55 torx socket had a lot of play when inserted into the bolt head. I worried that the socket would slip and strip the head of the bolt. I used an allen socket instead, and although it fit better, I still wasn't that comfortable with the fit. Suffice it to say I used a 3/8 ratchet and tightened the bolts very carefully. I found the same problem with the oil drain plug. Torx socket had too much play and allen head socket didn't fit well.

turkis_tii

What brand of tools are you using. I had a stuck hex filler plug, my Crapsman tool felt too lose to really risk stripping the bolt. Guy helping me got his SnapOn. Perfect fit. I’ve seen the same with brake caliper bleed screws, SnapOn rocks. You get what you pay for.

Joel987

I have a Crafts, oops, Crapsman Torx socket set. I have used smaller Torx sockets, like T15, on various bolts on a GM with no problems. Knowing Porsche it made its own variant of Torx, known from here in as P-Torx. "Get the P-Torx 50 and 55 from your dealer, $149.95 each, plus tax, shipping, processing and handling, Euro conversion fee, stocking fee, return fee (whether returned or not). We also offer a factory carrying case for each socket, now on sale for $59.95!"

ISO100

follow-up to my prev reply: 72mm is the length for my 99 996, the bolts are inexpensive (relative, i know) but for peace of mind on the track i replaced mine when i replaced rotors.

i purchased a Craftsman torx socket from Lowes. While I agree the current Craftsman brand may not be like it was years ago, the socket worked OK.

I recall working at a Sears store while a teenager many years ago, and the Sears DieHard auto service center. In years past I've made it a habit at garage sales and flea markets to look for the old Craftsman brand hand tools, for their (IMO) quality and sentimental value. YMMV of course.

Safe all.

*Eastep*

I have a Craftsman 1100 pc tool set, plus all of my collected and specialized tools.
I haven't tried the Craftsman torx bits on the Porsche, yet. If they dont fit, I'll use a set of S.K bits, that I bought, many years ago.

dan_189

Factory manual calls for new bolts every time the caliper is removed - they aren't that expensive

*Eastep*

Thanks. New bolts were ordered and installed, along with new pins, retainers, and cotter-pins.