Keeping your brakes in good condition will help you avoid more expensive repairs later.
In This Article...
How to Replace the Brake Pads on a BMW
In general, we advise replacing your brake rotors every other time you replace your brake pads and your brake pads every 50,000 miles. hence, every 100,000 miles. However, you should replace your rotors or at the very least have them resurfaced when you replace your brake pads if you have been using defective brake pads for a significant amount of time, the metal has been rubbing against metal, etc.
Equipment Required for the DIY:
- vehicle floor jack (unless you have a lift)
- Jack represents security.
- Simple wrench set
- Extractor for lug nuts (should have one in your trunk)
- brake caliper instrument
Recommended DIY components:
If you’re also replacing your rotors, use Zimmerman Coat Z. We advise the Zimmerman Sport Z X-Drilled version if you’re looking for a variant with greater performance.
Can you replace the brakes on a BMW yourself?
This is entirely normal, so don’t be alarmed. It does, however, indicate that you should swap out your brake pads as soon as feasible. Even though this procedure needs a few instruments and some knowledge of cars, you can complete it at home if necessary.
What is the price of replacing the brakes on a BMW?
Depending on the type of brake pads requested and the extent of the harm your previous worn-out pads have caused to the other components of your car, such as the rotors, replacing your BMW brake pads, which includes parts and labor, can cost anywhere between $150 and $300 per axle.
The time required to replace the brakes on a BMW?
Brake replacements or repairs typically take between one and two and a half hours, but depending on the quantity of repairs, they may take a bit longer.
How are BMW brake pads checked?
You’ll need to take off the wheel to get a better look if you can’t see the brake pad through it. Place your jack under the vehicle frame adjacent to the tire you wish to remove with your car parked on a level surface. Lift your car up about 6 inches, remove the lug nuts, and then replace the tire. The caliper, rotor, brake lines, and brake pad will all be clearly visible once the tire has been removed. Check the brake pad closely for signs of excessive wear. It’s time to book a brake appointment if the pad is less than 4 millimeters thick or only has 20% of its original life left.
Check out our brake pad replacement cost guide now that you know how to inspect your brake pads to get an idea of what to budget for new brake pads.
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Do you need to replace the rotors while using BMW brake pads?
It is typically a good idea to just change the rotors at the same time because of the typical amount of mileage we receive from the OEM pads. If not, your new pads won’t last long before your rotors have reached the minimum wear level and need to be changed. Normally, replacing rotors rather than pads is a terrible idea.
How many braking sensors are there in a BMW?
One sensor is for the front and the other is for the back. Is your dash lit up by your brake light? If not, your existing sensors can be reused; however, if you do, you must replace either one or both. There are two: one for the rear passenger and one for the front driver side.
How long does a BMW brake job take?
A normal brake service appointment for your BMW will typically take 45 to 60 minutes. The visit could take up to 90 minutes, or perhaps a few days, if your automobile needs new brake and rotor components. Although these delays are uncommon, we have observed some BMW brakes that require special maintenance.
BMW brake pads have a mileage limit.
The lifespan of brake pads can range from 30,000 to 70,000 miles, depending on the quality of the brake pads. Because they are denser, your rotors will last about 70,000 miles. Schedule a service appointment with us right away if you think it’s time to repair the brake pads or rotors on your car.
Is it secure to replace brake pads on your own?
To assist you with changing your own brake pads, there is a ton of information available online on do-it-yourself auto repairs. However, unless you already have auto maintenance skills, it may be more difficult than it sounds to perform tasks like changing your own brake pads or even your own oil.
If you don’t know the parts, not only can a lot of things go wrong, but you also risk missing additional serious brake concerns if you don’t know how to identify them. A broken rotor or air bubbles in the brake lines may be to blame for what appears to be a brake pad wear issue, such as grinding noises or your brake pedal sinking quickly while you brake. In turn, you might discover that you require more intricate repairs or parts in addition to the pads.
It’s wise to refrain from replacing your brake pads only because they frequently lead to brake issues. Before making assumptions or troubleshooting your brake pads at home, it is preferable to have an automotive expert inspect your brake system. Free thorough brake inspections are available at Firestone Complete Auto Care.
Pro Tip: Due to the extra components and connections that the front brakes lack, changing the brake shoes on vehicles with rear drum brakes can be particularly challenging. Generally speaking, it’s better to always let a qualified service professional handle front and rear brake repair.
How can I tell if I need to replace my brake discs?
You need to use your senses of sight, hearing, and touch to inspect your brakes to make sure they are in good condition. All of information put together can help you determine whether to replace your brakes for a more comfortable and secure driving experience.
If you observe any of the following symptoms, your brakes may need to be replaced:
squeaking sound
Under normal driving circumstances, some brake squealing is to be expected, depending on the state of your brakes, the brake pads’ materials, and the weather. A strong screeching noise, however, is a sign that the brake pads might need to be replaced. Some brake pads have an internal semi-metallic layer or an external sensor that makes a screeching noise when it’s time to change the brake pad. Even when the brakes are not being applied, you can still hear this screaming sound. At this point, if you wait too long, the screeching sound will be replaced by a grinding sound, which indicates that the brake pads have worn out completely and may result in further costs if the brake disc is harmed.
Alert signal:
When your brakes require maintenance, some cars include a warning light on the dashboard to let you know. As a rule, sensors last about as long as brake pads, thus they must be replaced at the same time. As not all vehicles are equipped with brake pad sensors, it is best to verify your owner’s manual before relying on this method.
vehicle veering to one side
While you’re driving, if your car feels like it is tugging to one side or the other, it may have worn out brake pads, stuck caliper guide pins, or both.
Visual inspection
Visually inspecting your brakes on a regular basis, such as every 10,000 miles, is a good idea (approximately 16,000 km). If your car doesn’t have sensors, this is crucial. Through the spokes of the car’s wheel, you may visually inspect the brake pads. Brake pads must be replaced if less than 3mm of them are visible.
Vibrations:
If your automobile vibrates when you brake, your brake discs may be abnormally worn or have been thermally damaged as a result of hard braking.
After changing pads, do the brakes need to be bled?
First off, you aren’t truly bleeding brakes; rather, you are removing air bubbles that may have developed prior to pouring fresh brake fluid by bleeding fluid and air out of the braking system.
When should you bleed your brakes?
- when the brakes begin to feel soft.
- when pauses take longer and you start to lose confidence.
- if you discover a leak Air may also be let in through leaks in addition to fluid. Bleeding your brakes after fixing the leak is the only way to ensure that your system isn’t affected by an air bubble.
- if you’re changing out worn-out brake pads, as this could lead to air getting into the master cylinder. More brake fluid is needed while braking with worn brake pads, which empties the reservoir and leaves room for air.
- if you replace your brake pads or rotors. For the purpose of safety, every brake job needs to include a brake bleed.
- As part of good preventive maintenance, once a year.
How can worn brake discs be detected?
The so-called “minimum thickness” of brake discs is an important consideration. Every brake disc must have this minimum dimension, which is determined by the manufacturer. It appears on the rim or in the chamber of the brake disc and is abbreviated “MIN TH.” Wear of two to three millimeters is typically acceptable.
Natural brake disc wear can be seen very easily. Since a disc only becomes worn where the brake pad is applied, a burr can be felt at the rim when it is worn. The disc wear gets worse as the burr becomes more noticeable. The thickness of the brake discs is measured by experts using specialized equipment.
Should all four brake pads be changed at once?
You are staring at a brake pad that has worn out completely. But should you replace all four brake pads at once?
First things first, you should replace either the front or the rear brake pads simultaneously. One should be wearing out roughly at the same rate as the other unless there is a serious problem. But not all four brake pads necessarily follow that rule.
How can I tell whether I need rotors or brakes?
Brake pads should normally be changed every 25,000 to 65,000 miles, while brake rotors should typically be changed every 30,000 to 70,000 miles. Nevertheless, the precise figure may vary based on the road and driving conditions. The good news is that when your brake pads are nearing the end of their useful life, you’ll probably notice mild symptoms, which makes diagnosis and fixes simple. Not sure when to replace your braking rotors or pads? Here are six typical indications that it’s time for new brake pads and rotors.
What should I expect to pay for new front brakes?
The majority of the braking in your car, typically 70%, is performed by the front brakes. These brake pads frequently overheat, which can cause them to screech, grunt, or grind. The cost of replacing a front brake pad ranges between $115 and $300 on average, which is comparable to the price of replacing a rear brake pad. These materials come in a variety of grades, from cheap to expensive.
How much ought a complete brake job to run?
There may be a significant price difference depending on the car you drive. According on the materials used in your vehicle’s brake pads, the cost to replace brake pads might range from $150 to $300 per axle on average. The cheapest brake pads are made of organic material.
What occurs if brake pads are changed without rotating the rotors?
In order to stop the car, brakes use friction created when the brake pad presses up on the rotor. The vehicle’s ability to stop will be reduced if new brake pads are applied to a vehicle with damaged rotors because the new pads won’t make good contact with the rotor surface. When a pad is rubbed against a rotor with deep grooves, the material is harmed because the deep grooves serve as a shredder or hole-puncher. When changing the brake pads, make sure to also replace the rotors.