When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Should I replace my pads prior to a track weekend?
I'll be doing a 2-day event at Thunder Hill next week. I didn't look closely at the pads when they were new so I don't really know what point 50% thickness corresponds to. Should I replace the rear pads? I do not have PTV.
That's the guideline my region uses, but you might want to ask your tech person and take a spare set of pads. You will need them at some time in the future so might as well have the umbrella and never need it. It depends on the track and you as a driver. The faster group you run in the more heat you put in to them and if the pad gets too thin you end up boiling the fluid, which isn't exactly a good thing to do.
I'm guessing since those are rear pad, you have at least 3-5 or more track days left on those pads.
-Jason
both of those are in perfect shape for Racing or DE'ing. prime of their life. yes, when the pad is the thickness of the backing plate, pull them. 5mm is the min I use.
Depends on the car. On his car not so easy since the fronts require caliper removal due to the closed design as well as the hardline connections.
OK, so its not slap them in without taking off the calipers but I have been changing brake pads since I was 12. Even in the hardest situation it is not so hard.
OK, so its not slap them in without taking off the calipers but I have been changing brake pads since I was 12. Even in the hardest situation it is not so hard.
Your suggestion implied at the track. Try it on one of those cars, newer designs. Those hardline brackets are a b!tch since the are inside the wheel well. On top of that Porsche requires new caliper bolts be used every time the calipers are removed.
Your suggestion implied at the track. Try it on one of those cars, newer designs. Those hardline brackets are a b!tch since the are inside the wheel well. On top of that Porsche requires new caliper bolts be used every time the calipers are removed.
I don't disagree with you. I'm merely pointing out that where there is a will there is a way. It is always much easier to do these things in a shop or at home surrounded by your tools.
That being said, I have had tons of parts changed at the track, including my engine a couple of years ago. Not ideal, but I have seen it all.
To sum it up, I agree with you and would rather leave some meat on the old pads, and change them at home, to avoid changing them at tracks. The old pads can become "emergency stock" to keep in the trailer.
I'll be doing a 2-day event at Thunder Hill next week. I didn't look closely at the pads when they were new so I don't really know what point 50% thickness corresponds to. Should I replace the rear pads? I do not have PTV.
This is a 2017 718 Boxster S.
Rear brake Front brake
.
I'm going against the flow here for good reason.
Your rear pads are thinner than your front pads. That tells me that you are the type of driver that applies too much throttle on turns and PSM is clamping down on the brakes while doing it's torque vectoring routine and preventing wheel spin on acceleration. If you do it that much on the street, you will do it many times worse on the track. I personally have seen people with more rear pad than you currently have destroy their pads in one day. You are doing a 2 day event. Odds are that you will need new pads before the weekend is over unless you completely change your driving style and eliminate your bad habits of brake on early/ brake off early/ accelerate too early..... You can't argue against the facts, the rear pads are thinner and there is only one way that you can wear the rear pads faster than the front pads.
Brake pads are consumable items, don't get cheap by trying to get one last track day to somehow save money (in your mind), they can cost you many times more than their worth in a ruined session.
Once again, MK, stop giving advice on safety items. You are dead wrong again. Those pads are not in their prime. "Prime of their life" for every brake pad is right after they are properly bedded when new. Grip level is never constant; as the pad wears and gets thinner, ultimate grip is reduced. EVERY racer knows that.
Edit to Add:
The cardinal rule regarding brakes is if you have to ask, then YES, you should change them.
Rule #1. When in doubt about any safety item, change it now.
Last edited by Brian C in Az; 10-07-2018 at 01:23 PM.
10-04-2018, 02:50 AM
Should I replace my pads prior to a track weekend?
