Dumb question time: PCCB pad changes
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Dumb question time: PCCB pad changes
Searching through the forum and the only DIY on brake pad changes are on iron rotors. To push the pistons back, people comment on using big screw drivers / pliers against the rotor and push the pistons back.
That's fine for iron rotors but I don't think PCCB would like that. Does that mean all PCCB owners need one of those Giro pad spreaders?! ($200+!) How do you guys do it?!
This is for a 6GT3 but I figured that I'd post it here because there's more traffic in the 7-GT3 forum and more folks w/ PCCB it seems..
Thanks!
That's fine for iron rotors but I don't think PCCB would like that. Does that mean all PCCB owners need one of those Giro pad spreaders?! ($200+!) How do you guys do it?!
This is for a 6GT3 but I figured that I'd post it here because there's more traffic in the 7-GT3 forum and more folks w/ PCCB it seems..
Thanks!
#2
Poseur
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Looking forward to the answer myself. Fortunately, I'm no where near needed new pads. (Simple street miles). I would think the less expensive solution would be large screwdrivers and pieces of wood.
#3
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Funny you should post this today....took our PCCB-equiped 997 RS to a local specialist to be shown how to change the front pads myself. They used an item like this
Piston spreader
The backing plates have lips at the top bottom and in the middle that this spreader will fit into. Was advised to wind the top and bottom of the plates fully open and then check using the mid-point.
Piston spreader
The backing plates have lips at the top bottom and in the middle that this spreader will fit into. Was advised to wind the top and bottom of the plates fully open and then check using the mid-point.
#4
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the info! I have seen that tool on eBay too, but just wasn't sure if it opens wide enough for our big calipers... Good to know those will work.. instead of the very nice but expensive Giro tool..
#5
Addict
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There are many ways to push back the piston and it's not hard and you can even do it with a chop stick. The question is what are you going to use as pivot to press in the piston? Never use PCCB as a pivot even though it can stand >500 F temperature but it will crack and chip like a chalk. I know you may not like to hear this but it's worth the money to buy a proper caliper spreader and even then you still need to exercise extreme care not to hit the PCCB. The above mentioned ebay spreader should work but alot of time you press on the upper piston then the lower piston pop out. Wider face piston spreader makes the job easier.
I usually put a water line foam pads that you can get from Home Depot around the edge of PCCB when I work on the brakes
I usually put a water line foam pads that you can get from Home Depot around the edge of PCCB when I work on the brakes
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#9
Still plays with cars.
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I use the worn out pad to puch the pistons back in, or a piece of wood. I lever against the caliper and not the rotor. I have never needed a pad spreader and I change pads a lot. Note, I used this technique on my 996GT2 with PCCB with no problems.
#11
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Hey cfjan, I have the Girodisc caliper spreader and it is wide enough for both front and rear calipers by using different size paddle on the spreader as shown below. Notice how close the caliper spreader is next to the rear PCCB? You really need to exercise care not to chip the ceramic disc. I have no doubt that regular shops and even dealer will chip your PCCB with a brake job but they don't tell you about it and it's small enough you don't notice.
Like other have mentioned there are many ways to spread the piston apart. I don't trust myself to do it right that's why I have the Girodisc spreader. It has pay for itself many time over since I am always working on my brakes for one reason or another lol
Front caliper
Rear caliper
#12
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Very nice, so by changing the orientation, the spreader has different size paddles.. got it.. I might just get one as I can use it on my car and my wife's Cayman S as well. I always change pads / rotors myself on our other cars but less cares are required on the Toyota and Honda...
#13
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Very nice, so by changing the orientation, the spreader has different size paddles.. got it.. I might just get one as I can use it on my car and my wife's Cayman S as well. I always change pads / rotors myself on our other cars but less cares are required on the Toyota and Honda...
I just regular C-clamp for my Honda Odyssey and BMW M3
#14
I invested in a GiroDisc spreader as well. Craig at RennStore will hook you up.
You have a $9000 set of brakes as an option and you already know the price of the rotors. This tool is the way to go.
You have a $9000 set of brakes as an option and you already know the price of the rotors. This tool is the way to go.