924Board.org

timstar92404 · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 2075 Location: richmond BC

I need to get the brakes on my 924 replaced but I'm not sure what needs to be replaced.

First of all I've never worked on a car's brakes and I barely have any idea of how brakes function. I kinof know how the disk brakes work but I've no idea how drums function.

my question is do I just need to replace the pads for the disk brakes and get the drums adjusted?

and fluid probably needs to be changed.

i"m guessing the rotor , calipers, and the actual brake drum don't need replacing right?

right now I have to press really hard on the pedal for suden stops to get the car to stop without rear ending someone and i hear a bit of squeeking.

anyone have a good link that explains how disks and drums work (go ahead laugh at me)?

I'm probably going to get a shop to do it for me because I don't want to risk brakes failing.
_________________
78 924 sold.
85.5 944

Lizard · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:18 pm Post subject:

if you do not understand the brake system on a car, you should NOT mess with it,

tim you cannot figure out how to change a lightbulb, how do you think that you could manage doing the brakes
_________________
3 928s,

timstar92404 · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 2075 Location: richmond BC

thanks Lizard , you keep on telling me that I cannot change a light bulb and can't do anything. if you haven't noticed yet I have never worked on any car in my life doesn't mean I'm stupid and can't learn anything.

If you read my post above you'll see that I said I will get a shop to do it because I've never worked on car brakes and its a safety thing.

Its just annoying when people that are experienced with working on cars think that I'm an idiot because I have to ask for help or have trouble with tasks that are simple to them.
_________________
78 924 sold.
85.5 944

Mike924 · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 2601 Location: IoW UK

Easy, Boys!

Tim,
I think Lizard's point is that it's more usual to learn the 'craft' on a cheaper, easier car to maintain (like a Ford or GM), than than on an 'exotic' foreign model. That way, if you make mistakes, it's reasonably cheap and easy to get them fixed. Once you've got the basic experience, then move to more difficult hardware.

On the other hand, it's good that you are willing to learn. Get a Haynes manual, read it over a few times, try a few of the easier jobs, get a feel for things. If you get stuck on a specific item, ask the forum. We can't tell if your rotors need changing or not, but we can say nut A under bracket B needs tightening on spigot C (as an example).
_________________
1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org

Ozzie · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 5:33 pm Post subject:

If you look up the specs on your model it will tell you the minimum thickness allowed for your rotors.
The using a micrometer they have to be measured and replaced if they are too thin.
Brakes shops have the specs and the tools.
IIRC solid rotors (for NA) come as 13.5mm and have to be replaced at 11.5mm.
This gives no tolerance for machining as they have to be done on both sides of the disc. 1mm each side tops.

Rear drums are harder to play with and have to be manually adjusted.
_________________
Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

tj924 · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 5:36 pm Post subject:

Do a Google search for "drum brake". The 1st hit on the list was Howstuffworks "How Drum Brakes Work". You'll also quickly find some good detailed info on how to replace the brake shoes & how to rebuild or replace the wheel cylinders.
_________________
TJ
Silver '82 924 NA 5-Speed Manual

Peter_in_AU · Joined: 29 Jul 2001 Posts: 2745 Location: Sydney, Australia

As Mike says, get the Haynes and have a good read.

Lizard probably didn't read your last sentence and brakes are one of those systems where you have to get it right. Having said that, it's not rocket-science and you can do a lot of work yourself safely as long as you follow the Haynes and ask questions about any parts you don't understand. When you've finished take the car to a specialist and pay the $50 or whatever to have your work checked.
_________________
1979 924 (Gone to a better place)
1974 Lotus 7 S4 "Big Valve" Twin-cam (waiting)
1982 924 (As featured on Wikipedia)

Learn to love your multimeter and may the search be with you

Lizard · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 12:28 am Post subject:

yah you caught me Peter, I did miss that last sentance, I was on the red eye just the other night and am still messed up due to the time change.

and Tim, you are not very mechanically inclined, and brakes are the #1 most important system on a car, and not something that you even want to touch et al, and for the most part you havent listened to alot of people on the board and what they have been saying,
what I would recommend doing is taking the car to a shop and asking them if you can watch, watch and absorb,
from my experience each human has at least 1 thing that they are really good at, and 1 thing that they just cannot understand,
if you worked at a call center doing comp tech you would realize to the vast majority of the public computers are complex pieces of equipment and they cannot figure them out, yet some of us find them so incredibly easy we dont understand those people, (like my parents, whom I am afraid I will not assist with computers anymore)
same with mechanics, from my experience you either have it or you struggle like mad trying to figure it out, with little success,
it is not a dis to you but we all have strengths and weeknesses,
you may not be good with mechanics but you may be a computer wizz,
I am great with cars but my life skills REALLY suck, and I am not a great socilist, all of my friends can agree with this.

Sorry that I was being so blunt, but from past posts you were not listening to what people were actually saying, and brakes are not something to be messed with as it could lead to someones demise.
_________________
3 928s,

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

As for the drums I'll say this as I have just done this work over the summer. Just replace everything. The drum parts are cheap as they are fairly common VW parts. Replace the drum itself, the shoes, the cylinders and all associated springs, hardware and plugs. Also replace the rubber brake hoses with new rubber or braided steel lines since you have to bleed the system anyway when you are done.
_________________
1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

Lizard · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 5:14 am Post subject:

as far as the drums, these are actually not standard VW items (different bolt pattern) and not manditory to have them replaced, just resurfaced on the inside
_________________
3 928s,

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

That's a good point, the drums themselves are more unique, but also not very expensive.
_________________
1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

ozarknight · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Posts: 27 Location: Rolla, MO

Tim-

Like you, I am not very mechanically inclined. I'm learning to be a bit more so since the 2 closest Porsche dealers are 100 miles away from me
in opposite directions.

Disk brakes aren't too bad, and as others have said the Haynes manual is a great help with lots of good pic's. Drums may have inexpensive parts but they are definitely out of my league. Fortunately my 88 924S has 4-wheel disks.

Replaced my alternator a couple of weeks ago and felt that it was a major accomplishment. I guess the trick is knowing or limits and expanding them a bit at a time.

Good luck

Doug
_________________
'88 924S Slate Gray Metallic

timstar92404 · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 2075 Location: richmond BC

Lizard, yeah I understand people who know what they are doing can get frustrated with all my questions which are basic stuff to them.

Being able to watch a shop change my breaks would be nice but don't think most places let you do that. You just drop off your car and they get to it when they have time which could be in a few hours.

I can tell them to check my brake system to see if anything is worn out and needs replacement. I'm guessing i just need pads, drum adjustment and brake fluid.

I have to push my pedal pretty hard get the car to stop. the brake fluid is at the correct level.

I just have to find another mechanic shop because my old mechanic did half ass job repairs. He didn't even properly weld up the hole in my exhaust and it still leaks.
_________________
78 924 sold.
85.5 944

Slam · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 8:33 am Post subject:

Tim, any decent shop will let you watch them make repairs.

I kinda agree with lizard on this subject. Brakes are extremely important to get right. It's not just your own life, eh? Watching someone else fix'em will shoot your learning curve through the ceiling.

Do some tune-ups or interior upgrades to get your feet wet.

But I gotta say, Tim, kudos to you for wading in despite the detractors.
_________________
'88 944 Auto - may or may not resurrect

Lizard · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 8:58 am Post subject:

any midas shop should let you watch, they may want you to stand out of the bay door, so ask if you can back your car in if you want to see the front more, or drive in forwards if you wish to see the back, however the mechanics do NOT like being asked questions, so you will have to be able to JUST watch,

as per having to push the pedal a great distance do a board search there is TONS of info there, the rear drum brakes always need to be adjusted. and this is probably the # reason you have alot of pedal travel
_________________
3 928s,