Front caliper replacement procedure
 

Looks quite simple but does anyone have details on how to do it? Is there a way to clamp the brake house so I don't lose all my fluid and get air in the system. Also, a good place to get a replacement caliper.

Thanks,

Gary

drive down here to detroit i do it for you no charge.

Caliper replacement
 

Thanks for the offer but that would be tough from Grand Rapids with no front brakes....I already changed out the passenger side brakes and was ready to replace the rotor on the drivers side when I saw the caliper was stuck....any suggestions on where to get the replacement?

Gary

why do you need to replace the caliper?

Caliper
 

It's frozen all the way out...I would say at least an inch and all rusted. I tried to force it back in but no luck. The passenger side went back nice and smooth. probably been like this for a while hence the rust. Do you think I could get it back in?

GW

wish there were more members like you here in LA...of course, i'd offer to pay you something...

:thumbup:

Caliper shot?
 

Does this look nackered to you?

Gary

you need to replaced it. at bavauto.com its cost $ 399.

Also, check autohauzaz.com for parts.

or a rebuild kit with new piston and seal.

Caliper replacement
 

I called autohauz and they had none instock...two weeks. I finally got a rebuilt one from BMWPartsOnly.com...$58 for a recondtioned unit plus my old one in exchange...should be here Friday.....so now how to replace it without getting air into the brake system? There must be a clamp of some kind that stops the fluid coming out?

Gary

It's been my experience that whenever you do a brake job, pads only, pads and rotors, you bleed the system, regardless. Since changing the caliper means unhooking the brake line, there's no way to avoid not having to bleed the brakes.

Caliper replacement
 

Yes...I know I will have to bleed the brakes but I wanted to eliminate as much as air getting into the system as possible. Fortunately the damaged caliper os the drivers front which is the closest to the reservoir.

Gary

You'll need an assistant for this:
Have a tall container with extra clean fluid in it..make sure you have plenty in the resevior. When unhooking the brake line and pumping the brake, place the line in the container of fluid and pump the brake a few more times for good measure. Keep the line in the container until you finish changing the caliper.

Hope this helps?

Caliper replacement
 

Good suggestion...to be clear can you verify that the assistant should pump the breaks and hold down the pedal while I unhook the hose and keep it down until everything is hooked up again?

Thanks for the suggestion.

Gary

Correct.... keep the flow going out as the pedal goes down then quickly place the hose into the container submerging the hose end into the fluid so when the pedal returns up, it will suck up fluid and not air.

It will be a little messy this way but will keep air from being sucked up into the brake lines.
Key thing is don't let the reservoir (sp?) go empty.

Caliper replacement
 

What do I do when I take the house out of the bottle to connect it back to the caliper? Should the helper press the pedal down and keep it there?

gary

gary,

got your pm. reply sent.

don't mess with the pedal when unhooking the hose. any mis-timed release or pump will draw air into the system.

just remove the hose, and block the line with something, anything. you won't draw air into the system. you will lose fluid. just quickly plug the hose back into the caliper and then do a full bleed and you'll be fine.

good luck

Please read my post regarding caliper replacement and save yourself $450:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...s-control.html