Removing brake pad retaining spring
 

86 944 Turbo

Can't figure out how to remove the + shaped retaining spring to get at the pads.

I've done the pads on several other cars and two motorcyles, one of the cars being an 89 944 non-turbo, but this one has me baffled.

Tips greatly appreciated.

RE: Removing brake pad retaining spring
 

Oh, very easy. Take a pair of pliers (channel locks work the best as they give a lot of leverage), and just squeeze the middle of the spring (you are compressing front to back, not side to side. The spring assembly will pop out of the front of the caliper, swing it up and out of the way. Once you do it once, you will realize they are the easiest pads to change ever.

RE: Removing brake pad retaining spring
 

Nice Tip, for future reference.

RE: Removing brake pad retaining spring
 

Thanks for the prompt reply. I had time to do some searching and found a pdf of a Porsche tech bulletin showing the retainer hinged downout of the way and suspected that graabbing it in the middle somehow was the answer. Previous to that I had the idea that I'd have to pull out the wires at the bottom instead. Good thing I asked.

RE: Removing brake pad retaining spring
 

Brake pads successfully changed, and they were the easiest I've ever done, as promised.

Now, about those wear sensors. I was pretty sure they were intended to be removed by pinching the curved brass ends together and pulling them out, but there was no way they were coming out without disintegrating. I taped over the ends of the wire leads after putting in the new pads. I'm pretty good about knowing when my pads are worn down without a light to tell me. How does one bypass the warning? Does the circuit need to be completed, as by connecting the ends of the wires together, to keep the warning off?

RE: Removing brake pad retaining spring
 

Take out the brake sensor wire, and clip it back near it's main circular connection (mounted on the strut). Then just solder the two wires together, and you are good. I usually just cut it about an inch past the main connector. You will need to do it for all 4 wheels.

RE: Removing brake pad retaining spring
 

Thanks again for the quick reply.