Replacing front brake pads.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by dpgx5

Thanks JCL. I was away and don't get to drive the X often but have since I got back and want to stretch its legs etc. I will have to check them out and measure. How can I confirm if caliper sticky? Would it pull to one side?

Others have covered it above, but I would just look for pads wearing at different rates. Pulling to one side is a sign, but uneven wear is a better indication on the rears, IMO.

[Cadesto]

Ive heard good things about Cool Carbon pads..
Low dust etc..

The previous owner had just replaced the front brakes rotors/pads ( unsure of brand ) with his father in law before i purchased hmmm 5 months ago?
Anyway they are squeaking actually SQREELING like crazy at low pressure, low mph.. It keeps getting worse.

This isnt really my fortay, id just like to get right parts and drop it off at Meineke or something..

Id also like to get some rotors that the hub / bell doesnt rust or i can mask off and paint before install.. The rust looks so bad!
Calipers also.. But not intersted in 4000 + brake kits!!!

How often are you guys applying anti squeak products?

Any insight / info appreciated!

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by Cadesto

Ive heard good things about Cool Carbon pads..
Low dust etc..

The previous owner had just replaced the front brakes rotors/pads ( unsure of brand ) with his father in law before i purchased hmmm 5 months ago?
Anyway they are squeaking actually SQREELING like crazy at low pressure, low mph.. It keeps getting worse.

This isnt really my fortay, id just like to get right parts and drop it off at Meineke or something..

Id also like to get some rotors that the hub / bell doesnt rust or i can mask off and paint before install.. The rust looks so bad!
Calipers also.. But not intersted in 4000 + brake kits!!!

How often are you guys applying anti squeak products?

Any insight / info appreciated!

I used Cool Carbon on an '05 330i performance pkg 6 spd manual that was used to run track days at Sebring, just installed them on my '03 4.4 sport pkg E53. OE pads faded and Akebono Euros squeaked.
I installed both sets without any anti-squeak compound and they've been silent, just a drop of hi-temp syn brake grease on the slide points. Cool Carbons dimpled anti-squeal shims work!

Be aware that changing pad compounds requires a fresh rotor surface (mixing compounds on the rotor surface can cause vibrations and pulsing). If the rotors are only a few mos old and in good condition they MUST be resurfaced or replaced.

You won't find many reviews of the Cool Carbon pads on E53 and E70 forums, most using them track their BMWs (owners running Stop Tech big brake kits LOVE Cool Carbon). Search M forums for more info, many reviews from owners who have installed almost every brand of pad and now ONLY run Cool Carbon.

BavAuto has reviews too.

Zinc plated rotors and Dupli-Color ceramic caliper spray paint solves the rust issue.......

[dpgx5]

Looks Pimpin!

[TiAgX5]

Thanks, 6 hrs labor and a $400 (rotors/pads/refinish calipers) knocked years off the look of the X. The $600 e-bay used wheels/tires help too. $1k well spent.

OP, be aware that when you change pad compounds it's best to do both ends.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by Cadesto

This isnt really my fortay, id just like to get right parts and drop it off at Meineke or something...

Ok, please don't drop it off at Meineke. A brake job is the second easiest DIY job after an oil change. You can do it. :thumb up:


You'll need a set of hex sockets (including a 7mm one for the caliper pins). Otherwise, no real special tools.

Find a local BMW club member who can teach you. Tuition is usually a nice 6-pack of microbrew and a pizza or sub sandwich.

To avoid rust, buy plated rotors. I like what TiAg did with his calipers. Looks so much nicer than the red ones you see out there. TiAg's screams 'new and clean' vs. whatever the other ones scream to you.

I never use anti squeal goo anymore. Only my race pads squeal (on the M3, not used on the X5!).

[JCL]

On the E53, I've used ATE rotors, which rusted, and OE BMW rotors from the dealer, which came with a special coating and didn't rust at all.

The squeaking is the pad vibrating, and you will hear it if there is a transmission path for the vibration. That is what the plastic goop tries to do, when applied to the back of the pad. It isolates the pad. The problem is that it squeezes out over time, and the noise returns. The only product I use on pads is a special high temperature caliper grease, applied to the ears of the pads where they contact the calipers. Also, make sure the anti-rattle clip is tight.

BMW lists 30,000 miles (Inspection I) for cleaning the pad ears and reapplying caliper grease at that point only. Make sure that the grease doesn't get applied to the guide pins, which are designed to be dry.

Brakes can be done DIY, but they are also a safety system. It is easy to replace parts, but properly inspecting brakes for safe operation is more involved. If they are assembled wrong, you are likely to put it back the same way and not know how it should be assembled. If you haven't done a complete brake job before, do it with someone who does have proper training.

[Cadesto]

Thanks TiAG, Adm and JCL..
Ya im not so sure if they are on there properly I also get a little shimmy shimmy shake braking off the hiway at speed, and not sure if im missing the anti rattle clip.
Everyone in my city with a BMW goes to the stealership thinking BMWs are some mysterious device only a "certified" tech that knows less than half the guys on this forum can touch.. Ive heard of one indy shop pop up in last few months but i lost their card :/

Thinking of getting all new OE calipers so I can paint them in the meantime, (if i install myself or not new parts never hurt and wont have to take off parts sit the car on blocks.. Be inopperable for however long then reinstall etc..) also on the list at the same time Cool Carbon pads and new rotors.. (whole package)

TiAG whered you get your rotors? Also props on the paint job! Like the matching bell and caliper scheme.

And ya painting your stock calipers red to look like Brembos or Stop Techs is super cheesy!
Like the fresh metallic look on TiAGs or in my case maybe black, or maybe gold so I can look super fab jk lol or maybe some fake diamonds!

[Cadesto]

Also if i find that shop i just got my H&R lowering springs in today so i could get all that thrown on at the same time.. Plus ill need an alignment.

[TiAgX5]

The rotors were sourced from Stoplabs. They were inspected for flatness, runout, parallelism and dynamic balance (I have a granite inspection plate, .00005 indicator, .0001 mics, 3 points and surface gage in the garage. Had to go into work for the balance check).

These are USA made rotors.

2 Front 2 Rear Powersport Drilled Slotted Disc Brake Rotors | eBay

On the topic of caliper color, I saw on MotorWeeks new car preview that some WRXs and Panamerica's will be hitting our shores with poison green calipers!

JCL quote "The only product I use on pads is a special high temperature caliper grease, applied to the ears of the pads where they contact the calipers." This is all I've used too, also applied to pad carrier contact points and a thin film on the piston face/pad back shim contact point.