Everything you need to know about the 997, 996, 987 Boxster/Cayman, and 986 Boxster — from IMS bearing solutions and buyer's guides to torque specs, DIY procedures, and parts recommendations. Built for owners who work on their own cars.
Stock Porsche brake pads are engineered for average use — and that means they're a compromise. If you're driving a 986 Boxster or 987 Boxster/Cayman with any enthusiasm, or planning even one track day, you owe it to yourself to upgrade. The good news: the 986/987 brake platform is well-supported by every major pad manufacturer, and the community consensus on what works is very clear.
If you own a Porsche 986 Boxster, 987 Boxster, or 987 Cayman — or you're about to buy one — the IMS bearing is the first thing every forum will tell you to research. It's a legitimate concern. But after spending time in the Rennlist, 986Forum, and Planet-9 threads, the picture is clearer than the noise suggests. Here's what experienced owners actually choose, and why.
This is a complete brake replacement walkthrough for the 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (997.1) with standard steel brakes — rotors, pads, wear sensors, and all the hardware. The procedure is largely identical for 2005–2008 997.1 Carrera S, Carrera 4S, Targa 4S, and Cabriolet models running steel brakes.
