2003 X5 4.6IS Front Brake Pads - Local to Buy Choices

[bosanci28]

Have you ever done this:

"Also i was reading somewhere that one guy did grind his rotors with a 25 grid to make the surface little smoother , is that safe? or no need for doing that?... curios.."

[bosanci28]

Order those from amazon last night , last pair i guess, and it looks that amazon have them and will ship them out within 5-7 to get here.

Now regarding your rears , "powerstop ceramic pads" where have you got those?
And are they quite and dust free?

Thanks,

[JCL]

Originally Posted by bosanci28

Have you ever done this:

"Also i was reading somewhere that one guy did grind his rotors with a 25 grid to make the surface little smoother , is that safe? or no need for doing that?... curios.."

Don't grind the rotors with a power tool. If there is surface rust on them, you can use some emery cloth to take it off, but you don't want to do anything that changes the thickness of the rotor or you will get pulsing in the brake pedal.

We used to turn rotors on a special lathe, and then reface them, but not so much any more. BMW rotors are not designed to be turned, they don't have as much extra metal there (which results in less un-sprung weight). If the rotor surface condition is reasonable, there is no lip at the edge, and they are not down to the minimum thickness (stamped on the back of the rotor) you can reuse them. They will not stop as well, or resist fade as well, as new OE rotors, but may end up still being better than cheap replacement no name rotors.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by bosanci28

Now, did this come with those shims? Or are they not require?
And did you use any anti-squeal compound?
Also did it come with that brake sensor wire?

Really appreciate your help! and advice ... just wanted to make sure I put the right stuff...

Thanks!

If your calipers require shims then the pads should come with them. Mine didn't use shims.

You should not require any anti-squeal compound on the back of the pads if you have the correct pad composition, a decent surface finish on the rotors, and a proper installation. The goop you spread on the back of the pads is generally a bandaid fix when nothing else works. Get the basics right first.

You do need high temperature caliper grease (not anti-squeal) on the ears of the pads where they touch the calipers. This isolates the pads and stops noise transmission, reducing noise. Do not put this grease on the caliper pins, they are designed to be used dry. Just clean them.

No pads will come with a brake sensor unless a supplier is bundling various parts together into a kit. Different vehicles could require different sensors. Just buy the sensor, it isn't expensive.

[4.8isX5]

I agree with JCL. I wouldnt grind them or anything. Just check the lip on the edge of the rotor and thickness. Mine had almost no lip which is why i reused them.

The powerstop ceramics i believe i found on rockauto and then searched p# on amazon as well.

I cant comment on dust yet since ive only had them since thursday and havent driven much.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by bosanci28

Are "Axxis & PBR" same brand?

(if you look at the bottom AXXIS BRAKES - Where to Buy)

As Napa carry the PBR Brand (altron)

NAPA AUTO PARTS

at $80, having hard time finding those axxis deluxe pads, i have contacted few places , that sell axxies , will have to wait for replies .

PBR stands for Patton Brake Repair IIRC. Australian company. They were partnered or somehow joined with Repco at one time, so I recall them as PBR-Repco. Bendix was one of the partners too, maybe at a different time. I bought PBR-Repco pads for years in Canada, they worked very well. In the US, there was a marketing arrangement (probably because they couldn't use the Bendix name or relationship) and so they were rebranded Axxis, but just in the US. PBR and Axxis have many different compounds available; we are recommending Axxis Deluxe Advanced (also called PBR Deluxe Advanced). The link you provided for PBR pads for another make of vehicle means nothing. PBR make OE pads for several manufacturers, make calipers and truck brakes, and make aftermarket pads. They have been around for a long time. The name Axxis is a recent invention that has more to do with marketing than pads.

[bosanci28]

Originally Posted by JCL

Don't grind the rotors with a power tool. If there is surface rust on them, you can use some emery cloth to take it off, but you don't want to do anything that changes the thickness of the rotor or you will get pulsing in the brake pedal.

We used to turn rotors on a special lathe, and then reface them, but not so much any more. BMW rotors are not designed to be turned, they don't have as much extra metal there (which results in less un-sprung weight). If the rotor surface condition is reasonable, there is no lip at the edge, and they are not down to the minimum thickness (stamped on the back of the rotor) you can reuse them. They will not stop as well, or resist fade as well, as new OE rotors, but may end up still being better than cheap replacement no name rotors.

Thanks for the advice!

I will not grind them,was just curios about it.

The front looks good, no lip, but the rear i see a little lip , i may change them next time i do the pads again.

Thanks.

[bosanci28]

Originally Posted by JCL

If your calipers require shims then the pads should come with them. Mine didn't use shims.

You should not require any anti-squeal compound on the back of the pads if you have the correct pad composition, a decent surface finish on the rotors, and a proper installation. The goop you spread on the back of the pads is generally a bandaid fix when nothing else works. Get the basics right first.

You do need high temperature caliper grease (not anti-squeal) on the ears of the pads where they touch the calipers. This isolates the pads and stops noise transmission, reducing noise. Do not put this grease on the caliper pins, they are designed to be used dry. Just clean them.

No pads will come with a brake sensor unless a supplier is bundling various parts together into a kit. Different vehicles could require different sensors. Just buy the sensor, it isn't expensive.

I did take the front pads about 2-3 weeks ago , to check them and clean pads,caliper , and lube the corners on all ! as the boss wife was complaining about some squealing at low speed before making the stop! so i did clean all the front , lube, and now squeal is gone, not sure if they where original bmw pads or... as i never change the front on the x5 from the date i purchased it! (but they are dusty on my front wheels) , and also with this cleaning i so that the inside pads they worn much faster so , for sure within 2,3-4 months will have to change them , so i order the:

"Axxis 45-0920ED Deluxe Advanced Premium Ceramic Brake Pad Set" and in about 5-7 days i should get them and change them.

Also on the front old ones i did not see any shims, just the pads! but this is interesting , while before taking the pads down , there is that spring that goes from up to bottom , one side was there and the other side was not there?! hmm, maybe the previous owner forgot to put it back in after installing the pads?..interesting



Anyway, should i buy one to put it on? or...

[bosanci28]

Originally Posted by 4.8isX5

I agree with JCL. I wouldnt grind them or anything. Just check the lip on the edge of the rotor and thickness. Mine had almost no lip which is why i reused them.

The powerstop ceramics i believe i found on rockauto and then searched p# on amazon as well.

I cant comment on dust yet since ive only had them since thursday and havent driven much.

Will have a look at rockauto,then amazon!

Hmmm, i just look in my maintenance manual , and i did change the rear pads when i purchased the x5 (nov 2012) , and i purchased them from autozone at that time , Duralast D683

Duralast/Brake Pads - Rear (D683) | AutoZone.com

and believe it or not, i washed the x5 , 2 weeks ago , and the front has lots of dust and the rear has "0" no dust at all
and they don't even squeal! (and still have about 75 life in them) Hmm that's interesting for a $25 pair, but will buy some some good rotors and pads to make sure when time comes to change the rear all new.

[bosanci28]

Originally Posted by JCL

PBR stands for Patton Brake Repair IIRC. Australian company. They were partnered or somehow joined with Repco at one time, so I recall them as PBR-Repco. Bendix was one of the partners too, maybe at a different time. I bought PBR-Repco pads for years in Canada, they worked very well. In the US, there was a marketing arrangement (probably because they couldn't use the Bendix name or relationship) and so they were rebranded Axxis, but just in the US. PBR and Axxis have many different compounds available; we are recommending Axxis Deluxe Advanced (also called PBR Deluxe Advanced). The link you provided for PBR pads for another make of vehicle means nothing. PBR make OE pads for several manufacturers, make calipers and truck brakes, and make aftermarket pads. They have been around for a long time. The name Axxis is a recent invention that has more to do with marketing than pads.

Thanks for clarifying this ! Regards.