[quote name='Anchorman' date='Apr 15 2005, 05:31 AM']The confusion is unclear. What is clear is that the pads are the same, and that you cannot change both pads without removing the camshafts.
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The confusion lies in why I have heard so many fellow 968ers say that the dealership has told them that they can not obtain the lower pad without ordering the complete tensioning unit. If the bottom pads were the same as the top pad, why would the parts salesmen tell customers this? Also, one dealership told me that the 928 pad was the original equipment for the bottom pad. I just don't understand why the dealers are not speaking with unanimity. Although I would like to say, "Yes, the mystery is solved, both of my pads were the same when I pulled my tensioning unit (last night, in fact). However, with 89,000 miles on my engine, there is a possibility that my pads have been replaced before.
You are right, it is an unequivocal that the camshafts have to be removed in order to change the lower pad. Also, it is clear that one can use the upper pads for both the upper and lower slots without incident. What is unclear, for me, at least, is whether or not our cars left the factory with the same upper and lower pads or different ones. Although it is not worth losing sleep over, since we know that the upper pad works fine in both slots, I still prefer to replace parts with the correct part number if possible.
I have a friend who has a 5000 mile engine. Whenever he has his pads changed, I am going to see whether or not his pads are both upper pads. If so, the fog will be lifted. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />
