Tre'

Does anyone within the forum reside in or near The Woodland, Texas or the North Houston, Texas area? If so, who do you take your 911 to for brake servicing? I'm tired of paying astronomical prices for any work at Porsche of West Houston Dealership. Any suggestions on dealers or shops?

BoomC2S

Have you reached out to your local PCA? They normally have a good feel for local repair shops specializing in Porsche cars.

Tre'

Thank you for the reply. I registered yesterday with PCA.ORG.

linderpat

If you are at all handy, brake jobs are super easy on Porsches. These cars were designed to have the brakes serviceable quickly at the track, and they are. If you aren't comfortable wrenching on your car, I agree an indy shop is the way to go, so long as they have a good rep for Porsche service.

tinroof

Agreed. I'm only slightly mechanically inclined and I've been able to change both the front and rear brake pads on my 997. It's not difficult at all. There are lots of good YouTube videos on changing brake pads and rotors that will show you how to do it. Also oil changes are pretty easy. Be sure to properly support the car when working underneath it though.

DesmoSD

I highly recommend doing it yourself. Get a Motive or make one out of the Home Depot spray pump, basic tools, jack, jackstand and you'll end up saving so much money.

Tre'

@DesmoSD The ironic thing is that i just resigned from my position at Home Depot. I wish that i had thought about that while i was still working there. I'll pay them a visit tomorrow.

Ripking

Learned how to do my brakes earlier during quarantine! Super easy on these cars with the right equipment and a very gratifying DIY. Considering how easy it is I’m glad I didn’t pay an indie

Tre'

@linderpat , I just assumed that the brake system on a 997 would be really difficult. I pretty much talked myself out of even trying to change my pads. I'll definitely reconsider it now.

workhurts

The S cars are significantly easier for brake pad changers. Not the that base is difficult. Just more difficult than the S.

Tre'

@Ripking ,You just made my decision for me bro. I'm tackling it tomorrow. I'm downloading a video as i type this response.

Tre'

@workhurts , i would have thought that the S would have been harder than the base Carrera.

Tre'

@tinroof , I, like you, am only SLIGHTLY mechanically inclined. I had already planned on changing my own oil. How long did the brake job take you?

linderpat

figure a few hours for the brake job first time. also, get the liftbars, and your life will miraculously change for the better - you'll be able to safely lift your car in minutes, it will be plenty high to do any work under it, and it will be rock steady safe. I also have a QuickJack 5000, but honestly prefer the liftbars because I can get the car nearly as high in a fraction of the time it takes to pull out and set up the QJ.

Linky: http://liftbars.com/

(note - I get no $ nothing for this recommendation; I've just used them for years and years with my 928's, Boxster and 911)

BIG smoke

Don’t be scared. First of all Porsche does not make brakes. They are made for them. Don’t fear a Porsche sticker.
One caliper supplier, is Brembo. They supply for many manufacturer. Porsche, Jaguar, Land Rover,Audi, Subaru, etc...
Rotors? Zimmerman, Brembo, etc
Pads? Freeman, Brembo, TRW etc.
What you need is knowledge. With knowledge come protection, protection being over charged.
Parts are parts. You have the freedom to shop.
Perhaps you have ability to do the job. As above, a couple of hours job, and a handful of regular tools 🛠.
Look 👀 You now know that it is a two hour job-ish. Indy @$125/hour, or 250 bucks, plus parts $6-800? Depending on your car.
Even some people can’t help themselves from fear. One of my friends drives a RS5 with those sculpted flower rotors. They sure look neat.
I sent him pricing and web links to buy genuine AUDI rotors at $735 ea front. He scampered off to the dealer for the job. $5k+
Same parts, same two hour job.
Gather the knowledge, don’t get fleeced.
Many cars ago, on my 944 Turbo. The front pads came out with a pinch from a set of pliers. No bolts or wrenches. 🔧