Check Break Linings?

[trooper]

I just completed a DIY Brake job yesterday on my 2001 BMW X5 4.4i. It's not an impossible job, but if you are new to this kind of work, let me give you a few hints so you don't make the same mistakes I did.

1 - The dealership wanted $1340 to replace pads and rotors on all 4 wheels. Don't do it. They are robbing you blind!!!
2 - Make sure you do the job on a day that you have enough time. It took me well over 6 hours to do all 4 tires.
3 - Go step-by-step. I started on the back brakes, but was using the DIY instructions for the front figuring that they were the same. My biggest problem in doing that is that the caliper mount carriage bolts in the back have a different torque rating that the ones on the front. So, after trying to get them to 77 ft/lbs, I stripped one of the bolts and had to make a run to the dealership.
4 - I think the instructions leave out the step of putting back the caliper spring, so make sure you do that.
5 - If you have trouble getting the old rotor off, (and you will have trouble especially on the fronts) you can use a regular hammer to break the rust seal that is keeping them on. Let me tell you. You have to hit them VERY hard. But, make sure you just hit them on the "hat" portion of the rotor. Not knowing how to do this took up a lot of my time.
6 - If you do decide to remove the caliper guide bolts off the back, you most likely wont be able to torque the bottom guide bolt because the darn shock is in the way. Again, I was using the front brake instructions and took both off. I torqued the top one to the correct setting and tightened up the bottom one to the same "feel." I asked BMW if they would check this for me if I brought the car in and the guy there said they would probably just do the same thing. Who knows?

Last thing. Buy some latex gloves and use those instead of mechanics gloves. This really is a dirty job. And, I love the orange DEP pumice soap. It works wonders on grease.

[skins2wiz]

My CBL waring just came on, I'm going to take to Curry's for an estimado. GRRRR!!!

[skins2wiz]

So, I took the X to Curry's they replaced the front pads, rotors and sensor. Problem solved. 3 hrs later, light back on.

Back to Curry's, replaced front sensor 1 brake light. 3 hrs later light back on.

Back to Curry's, replaced rear sensor. 3 hrs later, light back on.

Any ideas?

[giodog2000]

Are you sure your rear pads are good?

[Qsilver7]

The last time Skins2wiz posted was 4/2010 (in this forum)....and the last post in this thread (before it was dug up from the grave) was almost 6 years ago in September 2007.

Just an FYI in case you were expecting a reply.

[tmv]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

The last time Skins2wiz posted was 4/2010 (in this forum)....and the last post in this thread (before it was dug up from the grave) was almost 6 years ago in September 2007.

Just an FYI in case you were expecting a reply.