BMW E46 3 series Front Brake Replacement

This video shows the steps to replacing the Front Brakes on your E46 3 Series, this video would also pertain to most every other BMW model equipped with Factory Original Brake Calipers and Rotors.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• bmw
• mini
• bmp
• design
• bmpdesign
• race
• brake
• rotor
• disk
• pad
• shoe
• caliper
• sensor
• replacement
• job
• how
• to
• e46
• series
• 323
• 325
• 328
• 330
• m3
• 525
• 528
• 530
• 540
• 545
• m5
• 740
• 745
• 750
• 840
• 850

[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.

[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.

[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.