Brake Pad Replacement

A

AndyS

Member
 Gloucestershire
Hi,
Just been advised at service that my front pads are close to needing replacement. I figure this is a fairly easy job that I could tackle and save a few quid!
I have a couple of questions though......

I don't have the sensor light on yet so am I right in thinking the sensor won't need replacing?
If it does, is there just one on the fronts or one on each side?
Finally, what pads do people recommend? They're only for normal road driving but I'd prefer them to produce much less dust than the originals!
I've seen Pagid, ATE and Green Stuff mentioned here (along with others) but have no idea what to go for or where to get them from.
By the way, I have an 04 plate 2.5
Thanks in advance for your advice.
 
You won't need to replace the sensor if you are confident you can remove it w/o damaging it. A little care and attention and needle nosed pliers and you should be fine with it, though.
N/S/F has the sensor.
I always keep stock ATE or Textar pads on my cars, or if a I wander off course, Mintex. Personal preferance as I can't abide rattly or squeely brakes, and harder aftermarket pads just wear the discs out quicker.
 
You'll need a 7mm allen key and maybe a large C clamp to compress the piston easier. This is a nice guide to read http://m3.madrussian.net/diy_front_brake_pads.shtml It's about the E46 M3 but everything should apply for other BMW's as well.

Also you'll get the brake pad light even if you re-use the same sensor, a couple of days normal driving and it will turn off by itself, about 5-6 engine starts.
 
Most of this was covered a short while ago:-
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=30364&p=416144#p416144
Think that may give some helpful hints :thumbsup:
 
Thanks from myself people, I shall be swapping my pads soon as they were down to 5mm on the front a some months ago. I'm reading that the sensor may be OK to re-use but can be damaged during the swap, from experience do the cheapo ones on the web do the job or is it worth sticking to originals?
 
Just been reading this, brings back a few memories as I did the job a couple of months ago...

Just for interest, I found out that Pagid, Textar and Mintex are all brands from TMD Friction - don't know how the pad compounds compare or differ at the bottom/budget end of the product ranges for each brand, but I used Textar and they seem fine for normal road use. For the pads, copper grease and a single wear sensor, I used Euro Car Parts - they're pretty efficient and well priced. You will also need the following, if you don't have them already:

Trolley Jack (low profile if you don't want to drive up onto blocks first)
Axle Stands
7mm Hex Key (99p cheap set in B&Q has one of these in it) - try to get a hex bit that fits a socket set, it will make your life easier
Something to push the piston in the caliper back in - G-Clamp, or you can use a bit of wood with the old pad and a screwdriver as a lever
Cable ties, to tie the caliper to a spring - if you can't hook one to the other
Siphon in case your brake fluid reservoir is brimmed (you will need to release the cap to make pushing the pistons back a bit easier, but you don't want fluid to overflow...) - I made one up from a plastic evian bottle and a straw.

You will save money, buying everything I saved on the price of getting a garage to do the work, and I have tools to re-use! I hope you have a garage though, it's cold outside now...
 
Thanks for all the responses so far.
Anyone know which pads of those mentioned produce least dust as I'm fed up with the quantity produced by the original pads!
 
I know EBC ones are excellent for dust,so try greenstuff pads. Many on here use them and are more than happy with them.
 
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