Front and rear rotors
 

I just got my 2001 X5 last week and I need front and rear rotors and pads,I have read some scary posts on getting the rotors off (Big Hammer and lots of PBlaster) and my main question is are the front and/or rear rotors slip off slip on after removal of the caliper??? I won't be tackling the job til next weekend and haven't pulled the wheels yet but after looking through the the rims I can see the rotors are really worn and pads are low so before it goes in 4 inspection I want the brakes out of the way so I can do a once and done.....

Thanks
Towtruckjoe:yikes:

A quick look, using the Search Tab turned up pages of threads, some
of which are pretty good reads and full of helpful tips...beats waiting
for someone to answer your specific questions.

Brake Jobs:
http://www.xoutpost.com/search.php?searchid=1358368

And, check out the Home Page of X5World, Section on
Brakes, #s 7 through 13:

BRAKES, EXHAUST & SUSPENSIONELECTRONICS & CELL PHONE

1. X5 Exhaust Solutions - Sound and Video Clips
2. Remus Exhaust Install
3. 4.6is Exhaust on a 3.0i
4. 4.6is Dinan versus 3.0i Remus
5. 4.6is Exhaust Mod - DanDE
6. 4.6is Exhaust - Eisenmann - tesv12
7. Brake Pad DIY
8. Brake Pad and Rotor DIY - hayaku
9. Brake Job DIY - TurnAround
10. Brake Job DIY - Mickey & Andrew
11. Resetting Brake Pad Warning
12. Brembo / Axxis Brake Project - NZ
13. X5 Brake Fluid Bleed & Flush DIY
14. Self-leveling Error Message
15. AC Schnitzer Suspension - janix
16. Suspension Height Adjustment - DIS
17. Rouge Engineering Camber Plate Install DIY
18. CV Joints - what you need to know
19. CV Boot Replacement DIY
20. Sway Bar/Swing Bar Link DIY

GL,mD

Thanks Motordavid, I will go there now and check it out. I was not that familiar with the whole site yet but I do appreciate the tip.

Thanks,
Towtruckjoe

TTJ....I'd have the PBlaster and hammer ready.
Northeast weather is not nice on the rotor ;-)

I agree with motordavid.

Just a quick bit of info based on my personal experience, my front rotors came off with no problem at all. However, I had to beat the heck out of the rears.

Good luck.

PB Blaster - great stuff!!! Spray it on and tap the rotor with a hammer and it will then be able to get down into the nooks and cranies.

dont forget to release ebrake

Make sure you torque everything to the correct specs... I forgot to torque the front wheels (they were tight but I guess not tight enough) and I had a terrible front end shake

I've used a heavy deadblow hammer or 3lb hammer before. It will knock enough of the rust/corrosion behind the rotor to get it loose from the hub. Just hit a couple times on one side of the rotor surface, switch to the other side and keep at it until it loosens up.

remember to unscrew the "locator" screw on the rotor.

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