Changing brake pads... need help ASAP

wren57 · 03-16-2012, 03:32 PM

I've gotten the wheels off and the two bolts that hold the caliper to the rotor, but the caliper won't come off. What can I do? Does the car have to be in neutral?

malter2.0 · 03-16-2012, 03:33 PM

you mean BRAKE pads

Hey Ant · 03-16-2012, 03:33 PM

For the front.. compress the caliper pistons. It should slide off the disc. Your disc brakes must be worn down to a point where it has a lip on the top outer part of the disc.

For the rear.. release the E-brakes.

wren57 · 03-16-2012, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malter2.0

you mean BRAKE pads

I ninja edited it before your smart-ass correction. Thanks for the help, though, I guess.

wren57 · 03-16-2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hey Ant

Compress the caliper pistons.

While they're still on the rotor? Doesn't look like there's room for my c-clamp...

Hey Ant · 03-16-2012, 03:39 PM

Use a flat head and wedge it between the brake pads and disc, gently push until the pistons start compressing. Try not to ruin anything with the flat head.

Wilhelm · 03-16-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hey Ant

Try not to ruin anything with the flat head.

If your rotors are so worn there is a big enough lip at the edge to prevent your calipers from coming off, I wouldn't worry to much about damaging them as they will most likely need to be replaced.

wren57 · 03-16-2012, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hey Ant

Use a flat head and wedge it between the brake pads and disc, gently push until the pistons start compressing. Try not to ruin anything with the flat head.

I got it out... thanks!

Come to find out though that Amazon sent me the wrong pads (LCI) and now I have to put it all back together with my dead stock pads until then.

Hey Ant · 03-16-2012, 04:14 PM

you're welcome! Good luck on your next try!

Bcube · 03-16-2012, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wren57

I got it out... thanks!

Come to find out though that Amazon sent me the wrong pads (LCI) and now I have to put it all back together with my dead stock pads until then.

Did you buy OEM? The only difference between OEM is composition of the pad material i.e. pads after 9/2009 don't' dust as much as the previous years. Otherwise, an E9X 335i pad fits any year.

wren57 · 03-16-2012, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bcube

Did you buy OEM? The only difference between OEM is composition of the pad material i.e. pads after 9/2009 don't' dust as much as the previous years. Otherwise, an E9X 335i pad fits any year.

I got akebonos. They don't have the clip on one of the front pads.

EYE4SPEED · 03-16-2012, 06:54 PM

If you open the top of your brake fluid, will be easier to compress.

EDIT: brake fluid reservoir

SpartanGA · 03-16-2012, 08:52 PM

Open the brake reservior and use a large c clamp to compress piston.against rotor.

03-16-2012, 03:32 PM	#1
wren57 Roll Tide 591 Rep 2,345 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St Louis iTrader: (10)	Changing brake pads... need help ASAP I've gotten the wheels off and the two bolts that hold the caliper to the rotor, but the caliper won't come off. What can I do? Does the car have to be in neutral?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-16-2012, 03:33 PM	#2
malter2.0 Banned 61 Rep 908 Posts Drives: em-funf Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2000 E39 M5 - current [0.00] 2007 E92 335i - SOLD [0.00] 1996 E36 M3-SOLD [0.00] 2000 E39 M5-SOLD [0.00] 2001 E46 M3-SOLD [0.00] 1995 E36 M3-SOLD [0.00]	you mean BRAKE pads
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-16-2012, 03:33 PM	#3
Hey Ant Colonel 143 Rep 2,284 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: 818 Los Angeles iTrader: (18)	For the front.. compress the caliper pistons. It should slide off the disc. Your disc brakes must be worn down to a point where it has a lip on the top outer part of the disc. For the rear.. release the E-brakes.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-16-2012, 03:39 PM	#6
Hey Ant Colonel 143 Rep 2,284 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: 818 Los Angeles iTrader: (18)	Use a flat head and wedge it between the brake pads and disc, gently push until the pistons start compressing. Try not to ruin anything with the flat head.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-16-2012, 04:14 PM	#9
Hey Ant Colonel 143 Rep 2,284 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: 818 Los Angeles iTrader: (18)	you're welcome! Good luck on your next try!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-16-2012, 06:54 PM	#12
EYE4SPEED Ex-Diesel Driver 63 Rep 2,000 Posts Drives: Audi SQ5 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: West Coast... of Michigan iTrader: (22)	If you open the top of your brake fluid, will be easier to compress. EDIT: brake fluid reservoir __________________ FS: HRE Center Caps http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...post13972317l] Last edited by EYE4SPEED; 03-17-2012 at 10:54 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-16-2012, 08:52 PM	#13
SpartanGA Captain 97 Rep 643 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M4 Comp F83 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Open the brake reservior and use a large c clamp to compress piston.against rotor.
	Appreciate 0 Quote