how to change front pads

**flatout** · 28-01-2010, 11:27 PM

How easy is it to change front pads?

shane@mbtech · 28-01-2010, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatout

How easy is it to change front pads?

Very easy, even easier if you pay someone

Only takes a novice 15-20mins per side

**shimmy** · 28-01-2010, 11:57 PM

AP or OEM

AP is easy peasey, not sure about OEM

**flatout** · 29-01-2010, 01:03 AM

Oem.

NZ_M3 · 29-01-2010, 02:00 AM

Very easy:

1. put car on stands and take off wheel
2. use screw driver to pry out the anti rattle clip (in a radial fashion from inside the hub towards the outside - do it slow otherwise it'll fly off)
3. grab a C clamp and clamp the swinging part of the brake caliper to reset the piston back into the housing
4. Remove the plastic cap that hides the Hex key bolts
5. grab hex key socket and undo the 2 bolts (I can't remember what size they are now, I think 8mm or 7mm? or was it larger ?? Haha I'll go home and check tonight)
6. remove the hex bolts completely and pull the brake caliper out
7. if it's the side with the brake pad wear sensor remove that first - use a screw driver to lever the sensor part out from the pad, don't pull on the wire.
8 remove pad, put in new pad
9 reinstall in reverse.

Easy. Takes me about 8 minutes per caliper to do.

p.s. if you are doing all 4 corners, then it's best to pump the brake pedal each time after you've worked on one corner, otherwise you'll end up with brake fluid leaking out of the reservoir from resetting the brake piston.

**TMAQ** · 29-01-2010, 10:00 AM

worth having a look on youtube as well.

**TMAQ** · 29-01-2010, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAQ

worth having a look on youtube as well.

or ... http://m3.madrussian.net/diy_front_brake_pads.shtml

28-01-2010, 11:27 PM	#1
flatout S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 194 Casino cash: $4976	how to change front pads How easy is it to change front pads?

29-01-2010, 02:00 AM	#5
NZ_M3 S5, Sport On, DSC M-track Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,434 Casino cash: $13579	Very easy: 1. put car on stands and take off wheel 2. use screw driver to pry out the anti rattle clip (in a radial fashion from inside the hub towards the outside - do it slow otherwise it'll fly off) 3. grab a C clamp and clamp the swinging part of the brake caliper to reset the piston back into the housing 4. Remove the plastic cap that hides the Hex key bolts 5. grab hex key socket and undo the 2 bolts (I can't remember what size they are now, I think 8mm or 7mm? or was it larger ?? Haha I'll go home and check tonight) 6. remove the hex bolts completely and pull the brake caliper out 7. if it's the side with the brake pad wear sensor remove that first - use a screw driver to lever the sensor part out from the pad, don't pull on the wire. 8 remove pad, put in new pad 9 reinstall in reverse. Easy. Takes me about 8 minutes per caliper to do. p.s. if you are doing all 4 corners, then it's best to pump the brake pedal each time after you've worked on one corner, otherwise you'll end up with brake fluid leaking out of the reservoir from resetting the brake piston. Last edited by NZ_M3; 29-01-2010 at 02:03 AM.

28-01-2010, 11:57 PM	#3
shimmy CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Uk Posts: 14,646 Casino cash: $43909	AP or OEM AP is easy peasey, not sure about OEM

29-01-2010, 01:03 AM	#4
flatout S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 194 Casino cash: $4976	Oem.

29-01-2010, 10:00 AM	#6
TMAQ S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Surrey Posts: 591 Casino cash: $2203	worth having a look on youtube as well.