"A" or "M" type brake pads???

[LDunville]

I have a 1968 911S Targa swt and I need to buy front brake pads. The parts guy asked if I want type A or type M front pads. How do I tell which type I need?

Thanks

[Bullethead]

What brand pads? Brake pad makers categorize products by compound best for the application... carbon, ceramic, kevlar, organic, metallic, etc. Ask the parts guy which is which. My guess is that "A" is racing and "M" is for street.

[jrbennett]

I think there were 3 different types of brake calipers, "A", "M", and "S"
I don't remember for sure but...
The "S" was an aluminum caliper used on '69+ 911 S
The others were made of steel.
The difference between the "A" and "M" is the spacing between the brake pad holding pins
I think the spacing on the "A" is about 3 3/4" and the spacing on the "M" is about 3"

[jim amato]

He is probably referring to caliper type,swb cars used type m calipers,69 was a different caliper

[smedley]

Geez....can't believe the guessing.

The M calipers are the cast iron calipers used on '65 through late 70s....the fronts using a slightly larger pad/pin spread than rear.

The S caliper refers to the front alloy calipers on '69-'73 S cars

The A caliper came out with the '78 SCs and dimensionally is virtually identical to the S caliper as to mounting and pad dimensions BUT is cast iron. Back in the day the S caliper pads were supplied slightly thicker, but with time the aftermarket suppliers made pads interchangable for use in either S or A. If you order S or A pads from the dealer ($$$!) the OEM S pads may still be thicker than A pads.

Your '68 has front and rear cast iron M calipers....the rear taking a slightly smaller pad.

[davep]

1968 front calipers are definitely M
The rear calipers should be L with the cross-over tube
The L, M, S & A basically refer to the pad size. L is the smallest, M larger, and S & A larger still. The S pad is thicker than the A.