Hayaku's DIY post is the one I used when I did mine. It's awesome! I previously posted my experience, which is to say I had none at all. I had never done disk brakes before. It's not hard just really dirty. Get about 4-6 cans of brake cleaner. Make sure you have all the tools, be patient and keep your eye on the ball, the cold beer at the end of the job! Cheers!

What I found to work was spraying PB Blast or WD-40 into the lug holes as soon as you dismount the tire.

By the time you disassemble the caliper and bracket, the rotor will have freed.
A few hits will take the rotor off.

I've tried spraying down the rotor AFTER disassembling the rotor and no amount of banging would take it off. I had to wait for the stuff to penetrate.

I'm not sure if this made the FAQ or sticky, before mounting the rear rotor you should look to adjust the emergency brake via the the gear in the drum assembly while you can still see it.

Do a search, you'll find the procedure for it.

After removing the locator screw and brake caliper/bracket, I just use a BFH (big f-ing hammer). Just remember to clean the rust and corrosion from the center hub and apply either anti-seize or bearing grease to the hub to prevent further rust. I'd clean the center hub on the back of the wheel also if it was tough to get off. A stiff wire brush is usually enough.

WOW Thanks Everyone!
 

I wanted to chime in here and say WOW to everyone who posted a response to my question and I just want to say this is definitley a community moving in the right direction. I have had years of wrenching experience on basically the three big ones in America and my friend who is a service writer at a BMW dealer keeps telling me horror stories about Beammers, don't buy a 3 series Don't buy an X5 there nothing but problems etc etc. So here I am at the X5 world site hoping to diminish any horror stories about the X5 I just purchased.

Thanks again to you all,
Towtruckjoe:popcorn:

I did my front and then later rear rotors and pads using the following article and it worked like a charm. I actually need to do the front again pretty soon.
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/b...e-job-diy.html

That is strange that he would tell you to avoid the 3-series. They are about as reliable as a BMW will get. The more luxurious and expensive models such as the X5, 7-series and 6-series, which typically have more electrical gizmos, are typically the ones with more issues. Especially anthing V8.

By the way, it is Bimmer. Beamer or Beemers are BMW motorcycles. Not sure what Beammers are. :nanana:

Thanks
 

I will remember that HMMM Bimmer not Beammer i gues thts my Catholic upbringing