Norm, Are you surfacing the rotors? This surface will get rough, real rough and acts like sand paper on new pads. This has happen to me several times, soon as I machined the rotors it stopped and bedded in real nice. If you don't surface, at least sand them counterclock wise. Actually remove them and really sand them, both sides. Then at least once or twice a year machine them. Keep several spares and then you will always have a nice fresh surface. The last track day (time trial) I put new rear pads on rough rotors and went thru rear pads in 3 sessions. I just didn't have any rears ready and got lazy! My 2.5 cents..............
Mike
Mike, thanks for the input. It is worth more than 2.5 cents. I sand the rotors to some extent with pad replacement, but not to the extent you suggested. I will do more on this front. My original front rotors lasted 18+years, with 117,000 miles and 11 track days. Pad consumption was not too bad during this time. The next ones lasted four track days and then warped. Dave and Luc suggested heating the next ones some, letting them cool, then braking harder, etc. I did this before their first track day and hopefully I will get better life from them. They are ok after two track days. I got 2 days out of each of the pads, with the new rotors that warped. I got 10 sessions out of pads the first day with new rotors and they wer almost to the brake sensor. I got eight sessions the second and my most recent day and the brake pad light came on. I still have the original rear rotors after 120,000 miles and 17 track days. They show little wear and the pads last a long time. I do not think the pads I have been using are too rough on rotors. Someone suggested that the pads I used could not take the heat they were now getting on the front and were melting. I was not cleaning the calipers where the pads slide or lubricating the pins. The shop manual says I should and I will from now on. It is possible they dragged for awhile after braking??????
Thanks, Norm
They will drag, if floating type (non-opposing pistons) and should not if, say 4 piston, where pistons are on both sides. Opposing pistons release and your rotor can spin free. If twins or singles on one side they are designed to drag, the tire won't spin free and they could hang up, probably why they reccommend cleaning. Your ori rotors were probably real good ones from the homeland. I don't remember what brakes are on the 944, even tho I owned two of them, but I would guess twins, unless Turbo model. I always heard a rumor of the 88-944 T had 917 brakes, because the factory ran out of brakes and had 917's available. Man, what a car that would have been. I put the 4 piston Brembo "R" brakes on my 95 M-Cobra AI car and it made a huge diff, still running 2 piston on the 03 Mach1 tho!
I love them 944's, but just a lot less expense/simple playing w/amer V-8's.
Mike, thanks for the input. My calipers have one piston each. I would guess turbos have more, because they cost more than twice as much. Yes Porsche parts are high. On the other hand I believe I spend less on gas and tires than many. I like Mustangs also. I have a 1965 and a 2003. Neither are close to track worthy, but still good cars.
Norm
I sanded (1500) the brake caliper pins, cleaned and lubricated the sliding surfaces, not the pads. The wheels turn alot more freely than before. I think extra drag was a major part of the problem.
I found a car that I could not pass up :). The silver 1987 944 with car number 944 is being replaced with a red 1988 944 Turbo. It has four piston calipers and another 70 horsepower. I hope to be at TH 11/18/06. Norm
Wow, that sounds good, I'm envious. My favorite color too! Stop by Nov 18th and chat AND let me see the new red one. I think that's an excellent year for the T. What TT class would it go into (begining), say with just 3 enhancements, like exhaust, induction and suspension? Maybe GT3 or 2 (you will have to know the factory weight/HP ratio)? Wouldn't that be cool, some R tires and those enhancements, what a car!
Good going Norm, Take care, Mike.......and good luck with it.
Steve, Maybe he buys at Napa or maybe he rides his brakes or maybe he is really braking harder because he is DAMN FAST (while waiting for another pressurized motor to explode)!
Hey Dennis, good job this year GT-1 TT Champion and good luck next yr.