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[Fot] Trouble with Porterfield Brake Pads

Subject: [Fot] Trouble with Porterfield Brake Pads
From: dlhogye at comcast.net (DAVE HOGYE)
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2018 20:24:42 -0800 (PST)
References: <CACZdCPXM-BEj2p2-P8d+acF+_hzNYN=RqGNmcHdu2y9k=p7FCg@mail.gmail.com> <5D3AFB4D-C6F8-490A-8208-12C4A604FA08@me.com> <CACZdCPVXF1T3pf3-qkioDquO2we8P-6-vdRoT471ZdWMq5J48w@mail.gmail.com>
Good mentioning the mounting bolt difference of the P and PB calipers, Bill.  
The shoulder is metric to fit the PB caliper, but the thread is standard.  Go 
figure.

I have the PB calipers on my TR3.  

The PB (metric) calipers do have a 3/16", or perhaps metric equivalent pin.  
They also have an improved/sturdier dust boot that doesn't deteriorate from 
heat like on the P caliper.  

Brad, just drill out the pad holes to 1/4" and be done with it.  

I opened the pin holes in my PB calipers to 1/4" and have had to opened the 
holes in pads as well.  

I have my second set of Carbotech, ( I think X6 compound ) pads in now.  I 
started with Hawk Blue.  The Hawk pads seemed to have a quicker bite, but 
didn't last very long and made a lot of dust.  They also seemed to be very hard 
on the rotors.  That could have been related to the aftermarket rotor quality 
that I used initially.  I've since been using Brembo.  The Carbotech/Brembo 
setup wears very nice and evenly.  I'd like to try the Hawks again with the 
Brembo rotors.  

BTW, the PB calipers are available new for around $100 each new.  That's pretty 
inexpensive for such an important part.  I purchased another set when I thought 
I might be having a problem, but ended up just changing pads.  I'm glad to have 
a new pair standing by.  Then I can rebuild at my leisure. 


Dave H.





> On March 7, 2018 at 6:15 PM Brad Eells via Fot <fot at autox.team.net> wrote:
> 
>     Scott,
> 
>     Engineer Tim mentioned the 240Z connection. This leads me to believe the 
> pads were designed for a Japanese knock off of the original 16P like so many 
> other parts of the car. Likely built to a metric size that leads to a 
> slightly undersized retaining pin hole.
> 
>     I am amazed that apparently no one has ever mentioned it to Porterfield...
> 
>     Thanks,
> 
> 
>     Brad
> 
> 
>     Brad Eells
>     Chino CA
>     #35 DP 1962 Triumph TR4
>     #76 FP 1969 Triumph Spitfire Mk3
>     1965 Triumph TR4A IRS...for the road!
> 
> 
>     On Wed, Mar 7, 2018 at 5:55 PM, Scott Janzen <sjanzen at me.com 
> mailto:sjanzen at me.com > wrote:
> 
>         > >         I run 16Ps on my GT6 and have used Hawk, Porterfield and 
> my current favorite - something that Ted sells, can?t remember the name.  In 
> most cases in the past few years, I?ve had to egg out the holes for the 1/4? 
> pins with a drill. 
> >         Mine typically look like the photo of the new one you have on the 
> > right.  I think the pads are ?shared? with the Datsun 240z and they 
> > probably fit fine on that car. 
> > 
> >         On Mar 7, 2018, at 7:21 PM, Brad Eells via Fot <fot at 
> > autox.team.net mailto:fot at autox.team.net > wrote:
> >         Hello Amici,
> > 
> >         Porterfield brake pads in the R4-1 compound were recommended to me. 
> > I dutifully ordered a set for my Spitfire.
> > 
> >         I should mention the car has been upgraded to GT6 brake calipers, 
> > the venerable Girling 16P. My TR4 and 4A also use the 16P. I have been 
> > buying brake pads for these cars for over 35 years.
> > 
> >         I have had my calipers rebuilt and purchased new retaining pins as 
> > well. The Porterfield pads arrived. I found 2 issues. The pad compound 
> > shape was not the same as every pad I have previously purchased or what is 
> > shown on Porterfield's website. I also found the retaining pin holes in the 
> > puck to be too small. The puck itself is the same general dimension as my 
> > original Girling Competition pad and does fit in the caliper but I cannot 
> > put the pins through the holes.
> > 
> >         I simply assumed they had sent pads for the later GT6, the Girling 
> > 16PB or M16PB that use 3/16" retaining pins.
> > 
> >         8 Emails with manager, Wendy and 1 phone call with engineer Tim and 
> > we still have a disagreement. I was told they had sold that exact pad "for 
> > 25 years" for my application and no one had ever had a problem or 
> > complained. When I asked why I couldn't simply have what was shown on their 
> > website as the pad for the 16P, I was told that was just a general 
> > illustration and not correct for any specific application.
> > 
> >         They have offered to drill out the retaining pin holes to fit my 
> > pins. I am honestly disappointed that I simply can't have what fits out of 
> > the box and to have to argue the point back and forth through multiple 
> > Emails and a terse phone call.
> > 
> >         So, my questions to those of you running a 16P (late TR3 through 
> > early TR6 and GT6 1968-72 along with many other British applications) are:
> > 
> >         1. Are you using Porterfield pads in your calipers?
> > 
> >         2. Have you found them to fit the standard 1/4" retaining pin?
> > 
> >         3. If you have found them to not fit the pins, are you drilling 
> > them out yourself?
> > 
> >         4. Does the difference in pad shape concern you at all (photo 
> > attached)?
> > 
> >         5. If not Porterfield, then what are you using? Without divulging 
> > any speed secrets, of course...
> > 
> >         I'm close enough to their facility that I can appear there with my 
> > pins, pads and calipers to prove what they disbelieve...it just shouldn't 
> > have to come to that with a reputable company from my view...
> > 
> >         Your thoughts and experience are appreciated.
> > 
> >         <ap1142008_03_24_10_51_45.jpg>
> > 
> >         <IMG_2858.jpg>
> > 
> > 
> >         Thanks!
> > 
> > 
> >         Brad Eells
> >         Chino CA
> >         #35 DP 1962 Triumph TR4
> >         #76 FP 1969 Triumph Spitfire Mk3
> >         1965 Triumph TR4A IRS...for the road!
> > 
> >         _______________________________________________
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> > 
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> > http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/fot/sjanzen at me.com
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >     > 
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