Need quick help with brakes!!

[E34 530]

Hello guys. I'm in the process of changing my brake pads and can't seems to get the back pads to fit right. The fronts went in fine, but I can't get the rear pads to fit together. The brake piston is also compressed as much as possible. Can you guys spot what I'm doing wrong?? Thanks, Andrew

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/2006_0513Image0001.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/2006_0513Image0002.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/2006_0513Image0003.jpg

[632 Regal]

did you just take the caloper off? Try to move the inner/outer calipers farther apart. Id the inner pad sitting flush against the piston? I had a bitch of a time getting the spring thing into the piston.

Good luck.

[Kalevera]

Take the car to someone who knows what he's doing. The caliper needs to be removed from the bracket to install the pads.

Seriously, if the install is messed up, people can die. Clueless DIYing is okay on practically every other system in the car except for the service brakes.


best, whit

[kyleN20]

nice sig jeff, hahahaha

[gviloria99]

unbolt the caliper from the brake carrier and you'll have access to the pads.

[E34 530]

I took the entire caliper off except for the brake fluid hose. When placing the inner pad in position, the outer pad physically does not fit through the open space.

[E34 530]

did you just take the caloper off? Try to move the inner/outer calipers farther apart. Id the inner pad sitting flush against the piston? I had a bitch of a time getting the spring thing into the piston.

Good luck.


Thanks Jeff, my Father and I tired for 2 hours to figure out why the outer pad wasn't going in right, but were dumbfounded and he had to go somewhere, so we will try to tackle it tomorrow.

I'll get better pic's tomorrow to show you guys exactly what I'm talking about. It's kinda hard to explain. It seems like the new pads are about 1/8 inches to big. Is it possible to ground them down a little bit to make them fit??

[E34 530]

Take the car to someone who knows what he's doing. The caliper needs to be removed from the bracket to install the pads.

Seriously, if the install is messed up, people can die. Clueless DIYing is okay on practically every other system in the car except for the service brakes.


best, whit

Not to sound like a dick, but I know how to change brake pads. I did the front in no time. I know you know 1,000,000,000 more things about this car than I do and probably ever will, but I have changed brakes on every singe car I've ever owned, even the more tedious drum brakes.

[632 Regal]

Take it easy children!


Not to sound like a dick, but I know how to change brake pads. I did the front in no time. I know you know 1,000,000,000 more things about this car than I do and probably ever will, but I have changed brakes on every singe car I've ever owned, even the more tedious drum brakes.

[E34 530]

Take it easy children!
But he started it!!!! ;) In all honesty though, I truly respect lowell and his vast information on BMW's.

[BillionPa]

the caliper guide bolts HAVE to be removed from the carrier and the piston has to be pressed back into the caliper with the bleed screw opened so you dont push fluid back through the lines.

then both pads have to be installed into the caliper, the caliper placed over the rotor into the carrier, then bolted back to the carrier.

remember anti squeel on the backs of the pads pressing against the piston and the outer caliper, and permatex ultimate synthetic lube on the guide pins.

[WarrenBrown]

In the second picture posted by you, on the right side there is 2 rubber parts with a plastic cap that can be pried out. In your picture, the lower one is right by the lug nut hole in the hub. Inside that you will find an allen head bolt that needs to be removed to separate the caliper from the carrier. Remove these (It will be difficult to remove these because it is off the car) and reattach the carrier to the car. Install the inner part to the caliper, set the out on the carrier. With the allen head bolts retracted all the way, it will go back on. Tighten everything up.

Warren Brown
88325iX
91 318is
95 525iT

[E34 530]

Thanks everyone for your help. I was just putting them on the harder way. Wit the way reccomened, the rears took about 30 minutes lol. Once again, thanks for your help- Andrew

[mattyb]

Correct!

[joshua43214]

Where the hell did this procedure come from for replacing brakes? EVERY time someone complains about not being able to fit rear pads its from this same shortcut being used.

The solution is very simple, take it apart properly. remove the caliper, then the mount, then the rotor. Assemble in reverse order, the caliper will fit right over the pad if you take the time to take it apart properly.

If you do the pads they way you are trying, not only can you not clean and prep every thing properly, you can't lube things properly.