BMW E46 3 series Front Brake Replacement

[dailypinoyshowbiz]

I want this video on my KF390 unit.

[vaiboy55]

Just did the front rotors and pads on my 2001 330ci and found that I was able to get the rotors out comfortably without removing the caliper brackets.

[atthewburns1229m]

This video went viral on Korea, North

[tallica4us]

Where is your shop sir!?? DIY seems pretty easy and well explained but i would love you to do it for me :))))

[fstlnj29]

On the caliper pins, what is the difference between using anti seize vs caliper grease? Great video! Easy to understand and see what you are doing

[vitorcui]

Very very awesome and helpful video, thanks.

One question, does ATE Premium One make rotors for the 1998 BMW 328i model?

[chafikusa]

Hi, Thanks for sharing.

I have a mini cooper S 05 with 90K. a week ago the car starts smelling like ruber burning and literally won't move more than 5 miles/hour. now the car is fine but I wanna know what was the problem. Thank alot.

[fivestarsi5]

Im only replacing the rotors, not the pads. Can I take the caliper assembly off as a whole unit? Without taking it apart in sections? Thanks

[zeoneozero]

OK, after collecting all the info on this diy I finally tackled it this past weekend. My primary concern was not being able to have clearance with the guide pins but after purchasing an stuby allen bit I managed to use a 6inch 3/8 ratchet to remove them without any problem. Surprisingly, the only unforeseen issue I ran into was accessing the rear brake pad sensor connector. I traced the wire to the bottom of the car but did not figure how to access it. Any advice? Thanks again.

[XoticAuto]

I just completed my brake job and installing new cross drilled rotors....This video was great...Thank you! I had no problems.

[zeoneozero]

your e46 videos are awesome please keep them coming!

[zeoneozero]

thanks a lot for your reply. i'm a newb when it comes to tools, can anyone please help me find a picture of a "wobbler" attachment? would a flex handle wrench work if i cant find the part you are talking about?

[zeoneozero]

Couple more questions. Do you recommend using a tool to depress the brakes before compressing the pistons? Also should the master cylinder resiveior cap be left open?

[528im52]

@zeoneozero We have a hydraulic tool that we use to depress the piston, but many people use a block of wood to do the same job, and yes we leave the reservoir cap off and make sure than when we compress the piston the fluid does not overflow.

[zeoneozero]

Since the rear bolts are harder to access vs the front, do you torque the rear brake carrier bracket bolts with a flex head torque wrench? Also, according to the TIS, the guide pins do not need to be greased, whats your thought on greasing the pins?

[528im52]

@zeoneozero Sir, we used a "wobbler" attachment to access the rear bracket bolts when doing the job. As for greasing the guide pins, there are mixed opinions about this but with the kind of wear we have seen on the pins and their channels we have opted to grease them on every car in our service department for many years now.

[LIOLIAS]

.jwptmgtmtj

[ants00]

great video thank you, about to do my brakes for the first time on my e46

[HWS2]

Excellent video. Did this job last night on my 2001 330i. I'd recommend that you replace the antirattle clips. One of mine broke when we were removing it. Not surprising after 80k miles in the Northeast. They're only $13.

[robdiesel1969]

For the replacement of the brake sensors, are the replacement front sensors the same for the front as those in the back? In other words, are the front and rear brake sensors interchangeable?

[BiteDoctor]

@robdiesel1969 not really, they are different lengths, the rear sensor is longer.

[TRDSpecs]

the same for M3 e46?

[TheFalcon212]

whats the torque spec for guide pins?

[HWS2]

@TheFalcon212 22ft-lbs. Bolts that hold the carrier to the spindle take 81 ft-lbs.

[mrmerdoc]

great vid, can you do one on coolant change?

[XionUnjust]

thank you for the vid :)

[OldUncleMe]

This looks great. I'm about to do fronts and rears on my 335i (2007) and it looks like it should be very nearly the same.

Is it necessary to bleed the lines just with pad and rotor replacement?

What's the schedule on replacing all of the fluid?

[528im52]

@OldUncleMe I would bleed the lines due to the agitation that is caused by pushing the caliper back, and we recommend a complete flush and fill of the fluid about every 2 years or 30,000 miles.

[moapys]

Very professionally done - thanks for having posted this procedure. Are the sensors suggested NOT to be retained, but rather replaced each time?

[1E2R3S]

used this video to do my 330cic made it so so easy not sunthing i would normaly try to do. thanks

[actiondan08]

I'm changing the brakes on my E46 Coupe but have a problem removing the Calipers i've removed the sliding bolts and clips but it seems that their just stiff but before i go banging them off, any ideas??

[528im52]

@actiondan08 Chances are if they are stiff, it is due to the friction the brake pads are putting on the rotor not allowing the caliper to move, you will have to slightly push the caliper piston back into the caliper to remove it. you may do so by pressing against the engine side of the caliper outwards allowing the piston to slightly retract and the caliper to just slide off.

[actiondan08]

@528im52 Cool thanks mate a treat!

[superco0l88]

good shit

[lickaun]

thanks lad , changed all the brake discs and pads on my girlfriends bmw E90 on saturday, exactly the same as the E46 you show and if a picture is worth a thousand words this video is worth a whole manual , made it so easy Thanks !!

[thafinisha]

hey there, i jus changed my front brake pads 2day and the sensor still comes up in the car. any help wif this one?

[smhicks30]

Thank you, did my first brake job on my e46. I had some issues, but it went well thanks to your video.

[vaoamerda]

for e39 the process it´s the same?

[armystrength]

Thanks so much! I've done this a few times (on an E46 and an E38) but it's great to be able to review with a real pro. Well-done.

[textcrwds]

I wish all mechanics were so ISO compliant as yourself. Not even dealerships follow them most of the time...

[frogvillage]

you should teach at school. So accurate, thanks

[madlou77]

@528im52 thanks for the post..I installed my brakes as you did,but when I test drove my car and pressed on my brakes,clicking sound appeared on my rear brakes...any suggestions.thanks

[jorgerewards]

AWESOME DUDE!!!! THX A LOT!!!!

[onlocash]

What an excellent quality video

I can't wait to try this !

[fuma87]

Nice video :), but I prefer changing the caliper clips to new ones, because they could be rusty and worn out...little hint for everyone: If your stearing wheel is still shaking while breaking a solution would be to exchange the slide pins including the rubber housing of them ;) I still had that problem after new break disks and breaking pads...Just as you know :)

[StarsMarsRadio]

When you are compressing the caliper before introducing the new pad, Take the cap off the brake fluid resivoir so the pressure doesn't return.

[genkifd]

wow tiny arse brakes - as expected from bmw

[crxshed]

whats the brand of these rotors/brakes pads?

thanks

[trevgk]

Hi, do these instructions apply to a bmw 520i e39 (1996) too? thanks Trevgk

[slowburningfuse]

Great video. Although neither the haynes nor bentley manuals recommend greasing the guide bolts (bentley specifically says do **not** grease)

[HarvardBob]

Thanks for a great video. Super helpful and you helped save me a bundle. And from my daughter B. "BMW's Rock".

[djginza]

Thanks Karl! I couldn't figure out how to get the new pads to fit, you saved my day, and my brakes!

[subarokec]

This is great! Thanks for showing!

[rednightist]

Hello. I tried pushing back the piston to create space to accommodate the new pads (which is thicker of course). Piston would not budge. I figured I needed to loosen the brake reservoir cap to allow the piston to push the brake fluid back.

That did not help, piston still would not budge. Any thoughts. (Had to eventually put the old pads back and have an auto repair shop do the job for me.)

[canoeshoe]

does the rim touch the rotor hub surface when you put the wheel on? i have the 525i, but the wheel does not touch the hub surface, and it only touches the rotor hub center rim.

[dpblevins]

Help! I have an 06 330i e90. I have done everything in the video but can not get the rotor off on the only wheel I have tried (rear rt). Other than the front rotor screw that came right off, could there be a rear screw?  The parking brake was off. I have that wheel on a jack and am scare to REALLY hit it with the sledge because I dont want the car to fall and I do not have great leverge from behind the rotors. Help! David- Clarksville, TN

[slowburningfuse]

@dpblevins probably too late but i've heard of success using a gear puller for stuck rotors. search for this "bmw gear puller rotor"

[rednightist]

Hello. I am having difficulty depressing the piston to create space to accommodate the new brakepads. Used a c-clamp and the suggested oversized channel lock wrench. No luck. Any suggestions?

[michaeljr318]

Did you have to remove the cap from the master cylinder at any point? Thanks, great video!

[ddnmkun]

Thank you very much! Saves me tons on doing it myself!! And it's fun!!

[jo5566200]

what's the torque spec on sliding pin? thx

[528im52]

@jo5566200 Hello, the specs are 30 nm (22 ft/lbs)

[jo5566200]

@528im52 Thanks!!!

[bimmerm3flyer]

attempting a brake job on a 02 M3 with euro rotors and cool carbon pads, is this pretty much the same?

[528im52]

@bimmerm3flyer Yes, some of the components will look a bit different like the calipers, but the process will be the exact same.

[bimmerm3flyer]

@528im52 Thanks GREAT video!!!

[yuji2oo9]

is this the same like on an e36?

[KetchupRob]

At 6:33, just a tip but make sure the clamp you use is huge so you can get enough leverage on the caliper. Other than that, great video, very helpful.

[elantra11]

That`s high quality work !

[a4drk]

Is "Anti-cease" the same as Copper Ease ?

[528im52]

Yes, Copper Ease is a type of Copper Based anti seize.

[mrvideosawyer]

Great video - do the pad sensors need to be changed every time?

[528im52]

Not necessarily, They do need to be changed if there is any sign of fatigue, cracking, or that the brake rotor rubbed through it. If none of the previous have occurred and the brake warning light on your gauge console is not lit up, you should be able to re-use it.

[chapinfeliz]

Hello, very good video. I live in Austin Texas, is that far from where your shop is? also do work on E36's as well. I need rotors replace and pads. Thanks.

[clac911]

Very well done! Thank you

[urkkik]

Hi. Excellent video. I learned new hints like this stretch cords.

[Armennnn11]

Can you show us how you replace o2 sensors on e46 if o2 sensor needs to be changed?

[spoonerdee]

One thing that was done that I was taught never to do is when re-seating (pressing in the piston) on the caliper is that when you use your pliers or C clamp or whatever to compress them never let the bare metal (griping surface) come in contact with the piston it self because you can mar the surface of the piston and create all kinds of issues. Instead put a thin piece of wood or plastic between the two to prevent any contact.

[707umair]

yeah i usually just put the brake pad in between and use that to put the piston back in.

[bucki58]

Do you have to replace the sensors? Would anything bad happen if I left that out?

[528im52]

Well, Its just a annoying light on the dash if your old brake sensor got damaged. It does not change anything on the braking system, but is recommended so you know when your pads are getting down to their minimum wear point. The Sensor is easy to install even with everything put back together, it would just require removal of the wheel, un-clip the old one and clip in the new one.

[Hipek80]

Gr8 DIY, thanks!

[Tentors]

Vid helped out big time , got set of front rotars and front and rear pads for $140 and did the job myself after being quoted $ 850 by midas for the job to be done by them , crooks !!

[Rumplemenz]

i wonder how many mechanics arent happy with this video.ha.. this sure is a money saver for some people who arent familiar with the bmw setup and even brakes for the matter.. sweeet vid.. thank you 528im52... very well done and much appreciated

[CaseyK1982]

Great Vid! Voted!

[BlackGirlsInPub]

Just did them today! Went great with no surprises, gread diy!

[pendejin11]

great video, nice sequence, clear and concise explanations. Just what I expect from a good you tube poster.

[AlboBmw]

God bless you for this vid.

[snake322]

I replaced my rotors on my e39 528i. i put ate rotors up front and brembos in the back oem replacements for both but they are vented. and i put semi metallic pads... it squeaks soo much how can i shut my brakes up!? p.s. can i swap my m52b28 vanos 1 to a dual vanos???

[528im52]

The Squeaking is from the Semi-Metallic Pads, this was a common occurrence with the PBR Metal Masters, especially during the break-in period. While they offer superior stopping power to the Organic Pads they are a bit noisier especially at lower speeds and when coming to a stop. An Anti-squeak compound would be what you would need on the pads to help keep the vibrations down. As for the Vanos Setup, The heads are completely different on the cars, if would require more to be swapped over.