Quick Brake Pad Question

[AnubisZed]

According to the indications my rear brake pads are nearing their time, there is no pad wear indication just the mileage one.

So, I'm looking at changing all the pads now rather than later, do I still need to change the wear sensor when I do the pads or can it be left "as is" because it's not been touched yet?

Oh and forgot to add, I'm considering using Brembo pads, worth it or spend the extra on OEM?

 

[obewan]

According to the indications my rear brake pads are nearing their time, there is no pad wear indication just the mileage one.

So, I'm looking at changing all the pads now rather than later, do I still need to change the wear sensor when I do the pads or can it be left "as is" because it's not been touched yet?

Oh and forgot to add, I'm considering using Brembo pads, worth it or spend the extra on OEM?

If the wear sensor has not 'activated' you can leave it - assuming you don't break it getting it off
I read that this can happen, so bought one just in case.
Still got it in the garage somewhere

 

[R.E92]

You can re-use the sensor provided the warning light is not on, but you can't reset the brake pad service indicator.

The sensors have two wires. The first one will break at 50% pad wear, the last will go when the pads need changing.

Personally I would just buy new sensors. That way you can reset the service indicator.

 

[brillomaster]

Have you actually looked at the pads? should be fairly straightforward to see them through the wheel spokes. how many miles does it say the car has remaining (front and rear)

 

[AnubisZed]

The rears are at 3700 and the fronts are at 6000 according to the dash, so at my usual rate that'll be between 3 and 6 months use left!
So I'm thinking, along with the slight "squeak" I'm getting from the rears at the moment, I'll do it in the upcoming next couple of months while we still have some good weather. And considering the low cost of the sensors I'll replace them anyway

 

[flybobbie]

I'm just about to replace rears at 1800 left, with more green stuff pads. Seem to give off little dust but with slotted and drilled discs, which i think has caused greater pad wear, about 25k. My brakes also starting to make noise. Pads down to about 2-3mm.
Will replace sensor so i can reset.

Now started the habit of running in sport+ mode to see if that will improve pad life. And only use sport in rain.

 

[warmasice]

According to the indications my rear brake pads are nearing their time, there is no pad wear indication just the mileage one.

So, I'm looking at changing all the pads now rather than later, do I still need to change the wear sensor when I do the pads or can it be left "as is" because it's not been touched yet?

Oh and forgot to add, I'm considering using Brembo pads, worth it or spend the extra on OEM?

OEM are Textar and got decent bite. Stick with them for road use.

 

[Smartbear]

I'm just about to replace rears at 1800 left, with more green stuff pads. Seem to give off little dust but with slotted and drilled discs, which i think has caused greater pad wear, about 25k. My brakes also starting to make noise. Pads down to about 2-3mm.
Will replace sensor so i can reset.

Now started the habit of running in sport+ mode to see if that will improve pad life. And only use sport in rain.

Is your reasoning that in sport+ mode there should be less electronic nannying applying the brakes?
Rob

 

[flybobbie]

I'm just about to replace rears at 1800 left, with more green stuff pads. Seem to give off little dust but with slotted and drilled discs, which i think has caused greater pad wear, about 25k. My brakes also starting to make noise. Pads down to about 2-3mm.
Will replace sensor so i can reset.

Now started the habit of running in sport+ mode to see if that will improve pad life. And only use sport in rain.

Is your reasoning that in sport+ mode there should be less electronic nannying applying the brakes?
Rob

Well yes, something i notice some mornings when making a sharp right turn is that the throttle bulks slightly, perhaps it thinks the difference in wheel spin is a skid and so throttles back and could be dabbing the brakes. Doesn't happen in sport+ mode.
I can understand the traction trying to stop the rear going out, thus more pad wear. Hardly any on the fronts.

 

[flybobbie]

And i like BMW terminology, "Dynamic traction activated" or in other words, traction control OFF.
Took me five years to understand that.

Better to give than take.......i suppose.

 

[AnubisZed]

According to the indications my rear brake pads are nearing their time, there is no pad wear indication just the mileage one.

So, I'm looking at changing all the pads now rather than later, do I still need to change the wear sensor when I do the pads or can it be left "as is" because it's not been touched yet?

Oh and forgot to add, I'm considering using Brembo pads, worth it or spend the extra on OEM?

OEM are Textar and got decent bite. Stick with them for road use.

Arr, thank you for that, makes sense. Well OEM are certainly in budget anyway at about £150 for front and rear and the sensors as well, and I think I'm more than capable of changing a few sets of pads I wonder how much a dealer would charge (read "rip you off for"!!) for all that work!!??

 

[warmasice]

According to the indications my rear brake pads are nearing their time, there is no pad wear indication just the mileage one.

So, I'm looking at changing all the pads now rather than later, do I still need to change the wear sensor when I do the pads or can it be left "as is" because it's not been touched yet?

Oh and forgot to add, I'm considering using Brembo pads, worth it or spend the extra on OEM?

OEM are Textar and got decent bite. Stick with them for road use.

Arr, thank you for that, makes sense. Well OEM are certainly in budget anyway at about £150 for front and rear and the sensors as well, and I think I'm more than capable of changing a few sets of pads I wonder how much a dealer would charge (read "rip you off for"!!) for all that work!!??

Front and rear Textar pads with both sensors (Pagid) for £112 using code 'weekend37' on eurocarparts.

Easy enough to fit yourself.

Now buy me some beers!

 

[AnubisZed]

Thanks for all of the help.
Alas I didn't get the chance to sort it then and now my warning lamp is on all the time, no bother though as it's getting sorted as I've now ordered everything including new discs and all fittings bits n bobs, yes I know I probably don't "need" the bits n bobs but I know for certain this way I'm sorted and anything that ends up being damaged will have a replacement immediately rather than hold me up.
So new pads and discs all round plus both sensors, and looking on YouTube there seems to be nothing any more complicated then a standard brake change, I've even found how to wind the electric brake back manually even though I've got full access to Carly to do it for me (so just in case then) and a good excuse to buy myself a new socket set as my old one, well you can't actually call it a "set" any more as it's a load of old bits from different sets over the years

So a week on Sunday is D-Day

 

[Smartbear]

Thanks for all of the help.
Alas I didn't get the chance to sort it then and now my warning lamp is on all the time, no bother though as it's getting sorted as I've now ordered everything including new discs and all fittings bits n bobs, yes I know I probably don't "need" the bits n bobs but I know for certain this way I'm sorted and anything that ends up being damaged will have a replacement immediately rather than hold me up.
So new pads and discs all round plus both sensors, and looking on YouTube there seems to be nothing any more complicated then a standard brake change, I've even found how to wind the electric brake back manually even though I've got full access to Carly to do it for me (so just in case then) and a good excuse to buy myself a new socket set as my old one, well you can't actually call it a "set" any more as it's a load of old bits from different sets over the years

So a week on Sunday is D-Day

Hi, despite Carly listing the ebrake on the function page it doesn’t actually function on the e89 last time I checked!
Rob

 

[AnubisZed]

Thanks for all of the help.
Alas I didn't get the chance to sort it then and now my warning lamp is on all the time, no bother though as it's getting sorted as I've now ordered everything including new discs and all fittings bits n bobs, yes I know I probably don't "need" the bits n bobs but I know for certain this way I'm sorted and anything that ends up being damaged will have a replacement immediately rather than hold me up.
So new pads and discs all round plus both sensors, and looking on YouTube there seems to be nothing any more complicated then a standard brake change, I've even found how to wind the electric brake back manually even though I've got full access to Carly to do it for me (so just in case then) and a good excuse to buy myself a new socket set as my old one, well you can't actually call it a "set" any more as it's a load of old bits from different sets over the years

So a week on Sunday is D-Day

Hi, despite Carly listing the ebrake on the function page it doesn’t actually function on the e89 last time I checked!
Rob

I that case I'm glad I've found how to do it manually

 

[flybobbie]

Be interested to know if can get the warning light to cancel, mine needed a trip to a indy for a reset, as it wouldn't reset through the stalk.

 

[AnubisZed]

Be interested to know if can get the warning light to cancel, mine needed a trip to a indy for a reset, as it wouldn't reset through the stalk.

I'll update this thread when I do it with any problems I may encounter.

 

[Smartbear]

Be interested to know if can get the warning light to cancel, mine needed a trip to a indy for a reset, as it wouldn't reset through the stalk.

Carly reset my brake pad warning light without any aggravation (with a new non-oem sensor)
Rob

 

[Nictrix]

Be interested to know if can get the warning light to cancel, mine needed a trip to a indy for a reset, as it wouldn't reset through the stalk.

Carly reset my brake pad warning light without any aggravation (with a new non-oem sensor)
Rob

I had problems resetting the indicator after changing the discs, pads and sensors and gave up taking it to an indy who couldn't do it either. They suggested that the new sensors were faulty.
As the old sensors had not triggered yet I put these back on the car and reset the indicators with no trouble.
That meant that both Pagid brake sensors I got from ECP were faulty and were returned for a refund.

 

[AnubisZed]

OK well day one and not a total success.
Front brakes all complete, photo of the first one and yes I'm aware the spring clip is missing as I realised this after I'd put the wheel back on and started the other side :?
Anyway, far too bloody hot out there today to do the rears (according to the forecast it was supposed to be cloudy not full sun at 25 degrees!!) so the rears will have to be next weekends job.

Carly will not reset the service status for the front brakes, but that may have something to do with not doing the rears yet, I'll see next weekend when I do those.

For now the front end is sorted with new discs, pads, sensor and associated "bits n bobs", fluid level is perfect and it's had a test drive and all seems perfectly fine.

Two complaints, one is the stupid calliper spring clip is a real pain in the butt to get on and which total idiot thought that wheel bolts was a better idea than studs and wheel nuts??!! :thumbsdown: