What did you do to / for your E53 today??

[andrewwynn]

If the parking brake was used enough you may have a lip worn into the drum. You usually have to back off the adjuster before you can get the rotor off.

You then have to adjust the adjuster to get the appropriate tightness on the hand lever. Not terribly difficult. Finding the adjuster nut through the dust shield the first time is the hardest part.

[Clavurion]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

Question for the brain trust: are vented 4.4i rotors a direct swap on? Do they require adjusting of the e-brake or any other hassle?

If you want to install thicker vented rear rotors you would also have to change the calipers.

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

If the parking brake was used enough you may have a lip worn into the drum. You usually have to back off the adjuster before you can get the rotor off.

You then have to adjust the adjuster to get the appropriate tightness on the hand lever. Not terribly difficult. Finding the adjuster nut through the dust shield the first time is the hardest part.

I haven't adjusted the E53 (yet, I need to do this), but on every other BMW, I've always adjusted through a wheel bolt hole from the outside.

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by Clavurion

If you want to install thicker vented rear rotors you would also have to change the calipers.

Yep. I did this on mine. Note that it seems to be surprisingly hard to buy the wide calipers for a reasonable price. If you want to save a few bucks, you'll probably need to pick them at a salvage yard.

[Bdc101]

Sounds like unvented rotors are back on the menu, boys!

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

Sounds like unvented rotors are back on the menu, boys!

I just could not bring myself to buy solid rotors. It pisses me off on an E30, much less an X5.

[StephenVA]

Just run the pads all the way to the backing plates and you get the same look for free.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

I haven't adjusted the E53 (yet, I need to do this), but on every other BMW, I've always adjusted through a wheel bolt hole from the outside.

This is the way...

[SamW]

Fixed the failed door lock. Getting all the parts of the lock back aligned correctly was surprisingly time-consuming but all good now and functioning like a new for a while atleast.

[andrewwynn]

I used to have to rebuild mine every 9 months like clockwork. Do you open with key blade or fob ?