Break Light Came on
 

Well over the weekend a odd symbol came upon my dash and after looking it up it seems its time to replace my break pads (at least). So I have done a lot of reading (board has a lot of good info) and believe I am going to go with the Axxis Deluxe pads and probably Centric rotors (zeckhausen.com). Should I just blindly replace the whole break system because my light came on? Or is there a way for me to find out what I need to replace (do dealerships offer free inspection)? Also I have read that production date of the X matters, my X is an 01 with a production date of 08/00 any insight would be helpful (think the sensors may be different). I have also read most of the DIY's and I really want to try it but, sine i've never done breaks before now may not be the time to start.

Thanks Andy

Couple of points:

The light on the dash means that either the front or rear are worn down to the sensor. You need to manually inspect both to decide whether to do one axle, or both. If one brake is completely worn, and the other axle is close behind, I would do all of them at once. If you have more than 30% left on one axle, just do the one that is worn out.

A dealer can do a free inspection with a BMW tool that is like a depth gauge, without taking a wheel off. Usually the service advisor can do it in the driveway. The answer will not be as accurate as removing a wheel. To do it yourself, you need to remove wheels and estimate the remaining pad thickness.

You say you haven't done brakes before, but have you worked on your vehicle? Do you have axle stands, tools, etc? If so, it is reasonable to attempt a brake job, carefully following the instructions on the X5World home page. If you haven't worked on your vehicle at all, I wouldn't recommend that you start with a brake job. Brakes are a safety system. If you haven't worked on your vehicle, do you have a friend who does have the experience?

If the answer is no, recommend you buy the Axxis Deluxe pads and Centric rotors, and have an independent shop install them for you.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff for the reply, I have not done any work on my X, I did change my breaks on a grand am I use to have (when I was still in high school) I guess the ABS part scares me for I have never dealt with them and don't want to mess anything up. I will take your advice of having the dealer check the depth of each and go from there. Are you aware of anything different that I need since my X is a production date 08/00?

Just to make sure 'all' that I need will be

(Most likely front and back break sensor)
2x rotors from
2x rotors rear

1set pads from
1set pads rear

And probably some break fluid? Do I need to replace the lines and or seals on the break lines? Thanks again

Andy

BRAKES will set you back about $1600 at the dealers from all reports here.

Wow, the joys of having a nice car,

anyone know where I can buy the front and rear break sensors online?

Brakes, not breaks. If you overheat your brakes, they will break.

Buy the sensors at the dealer, they are not expensive.

You won't need brake fluid for a pad replacement. However, make sure that you are changing your brake fluid every two years. If you haven't done it before, you may want to get a shop to do it for you.

You won't need brake lines unless you see that they are damaged when you do the pads and rotors. Don't crack open the brake lines if you are just doing pads.

You will need high temperature grease for the slides on the calipers and pads. Any autoparts shop will sell it.

I don't know what is different with an early production model, but Dave at Zeckhausen will know when you order the pads and rotors.

Good luck

Jeff

Thanks jeff, and yah, sometimes the hands type faster then the brain can process how to spell things correctly.

Be careful in jacking up the vehicle, don't twist the brake lines too much when you pull the calipers, and note how all the sensor wires are positioned so you can route everything back properly. Changing the pads on an X5 is no different than most other cars, and you don't need any special tools other than the appropriate metric socket and hex wrench. Flush your fluid while you are at it too if it's time.

how many miles did you end up getting out of your pads?

Unfortunately i really don't know, (at least 35k miles) for thats how many I have put on the car (got it used).

see this list of an old post i made
i installed it on my x
got it from http://www.importrp.com/home.php
http://www.importrp.com/home.php

Front (Pair) - Brembo Sport CROSS-DRILLED Brake Rotors part# 35535 $180

Rear (Pair) - Brembo Sport CROSS-DRILLED Brake Rotors part# 35523 $148

PBR/Axxis Deluxe FRONT Brake Pad Set part# D 1620 R/4 $60

PBR/Axxis Deluxe REAR Brake Pad Set part# D 936 R/5 $30

BMW brake sensor front and back( from the stealer ) set $48

Paint caliper kit ( from local Auto Zone ) $15

Shipping cost: UPS ground (5 to 7 business day) $59.21

TOTAL $540.21
i got 2 choices to install my self or have a friend shop do it for $180
if i have it done by the shop it will be a total of $ 720.21
not bad, the dealer wanted $1,100 to do the job and keep in mind that this new rotors are better than the OEM........

so i saved a lots of money and have better breakes tham the OEM one

Just an update / thanks. Decided to tackle the job myself (with a friend who had much more of a clue than I) and found it to be a very easy (semi dirty, wussed out and used gloves) DIY. Thanks to all for the great documentation.

Go to http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/ . I purchased all 4 pads, rotors and sensors for less than $500. I had a local shop, not BMW, do the labor. They charged me $140. Forget taking it to a BMW dealer, what a ripoff they are.