BMW Blog

hey, i want to change out my rotors, and new pads and everything.. should be picking up a set of new rotors and pads next week. wanted to do the install myself, and save the money it would cost for labor. Just wondering what should i be wathcing out for when changing the rotors , any safety percaution ? also, would i need to bleed the brake system aswell, when changing out the rotors and pads ? thanks.

Rotors are easy on BMW's. Just remember to remove the hex locking bolt before trying to remove the rotors. You will probably need a good sized hammer to knock them loose. Replacing pads at the same time? If not, get a sandpaper block and clean up the pads and flatten them before re-installing. Good idea to bleed/Flush the brakes if not done in the last year or so. Get a Mityvac--real easy and quick--just make sure the reservoir nver gets empty.
MikeG

Rotors are easy on BMW's. Just remember to remove the hex locking bolt before trying to remove the rotors. You will probably need a good sized hammer to knock them loose. Replacing pads at the same time? If not, get a sandpaper block and clean up the pads and flatten them before re-installing. Good idea to bleed/Flush the brakes if not done in the last year or so. Get a Mityvac--real easy and quick--just make sure the reservoir nver gets empty.
MikeG

ok, ya.. thanks.. i have done rotors before on my friends cars, but never on a bmw so was wondering if there are any special trick or anything that they mite have.. but dont seem like they do. well anyhow, where can i get a Mityvac ? thanks

Another advice, since you're opening the calipers the fluid will rise in the resevoir. To prevent spilling, after replacing the rotor and brakes on one wheel, slowly and I mean slowly pump the brake pedal a few time so the caliper that was recently open closes on the new brake.

Do this one at a time when replacing your brakes of each wheel. You might still have a little spill when all done and finished. This is due to the extra fulid that was added (if you added) when the brakes were low.

Also, when removing the rear rotors, make sure you don't have the parking brakes on.

Another advice, since you're opening the calipers the fluid will rise in the resevoir. To prevent spilling, after replacing the rotor and brakes on one wheel, slowly and I mean slowly pump the brake pedal a few time so the caliper that was recently open closes on the new brake.

Do this one at a time when replacing your brakes of each wheel. You might still have a little spill when all done and finished. This is due to the extra fulid that was added (if you added) when the brakes were low.

Also, when removing the rear rotors, make sure you don't have the parking brakes on.

hmm. dont have parking brake up when removing rear rotors, wat would be safe way to jack it up if parking brake is down ? just leave it in gear ?

hmm. dont have parking brake up when removing rear rotors, wat would be safe way to jack it up if parking brake is down ? just leave it in gear ?


make sure you're on level ground, block the front tires and yes, put it in gear as you're only lifting one side at a time.

ok, ya.. thanks.. i have done rotors before on my friends cars, but never on a bmw so was wondering if there are any special trick or anything that they mite have.. but dont seem like they do. well anyhow, where can i get a Mityvac ? thanks

I got mine from Thetoolwarehouse.net

Lubrication>Fluid Drains and Handling

I got my Mityvac at Autozone for about $26
MikeG
ps good point someone made about the emergency brakes--forgot to mention that. Also, when pushing the pistons back into the calipers, open the bleed screw so the un-needed fluid goes out instead of back up into the lines. keeps contamiantion to a minimum. Then bleed or flush the brakes when done.

I got my Mityvac at Autozone for about $26
MikeG
ps good point someone made about the emergency brakes--forgot to mention that. Also, when pushing the pistons back into the calipers, open the bleed screw so the un-needed fluid goes out instead of back up into the lines. keeps contamiantion to a minimum. Then bleed or flush the brakes when done.

ok great, thanks for the heads up.. i decided to buy me 4 of those speed bleeder valves .. seems like it would make bleeding the brakes a simple 1-2-3 job.. well i will start work on the rotors within the next couple of weeks thanks again.

Here, read this.
http://www.garageboy.com/bmw/brakefaq.html