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replacing rear pads/discs, any special tools needed?

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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taffy bhoy
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replacing rear pads/discs, any special tools needed?

Post by taffy bhoy » Tue Jul 25, 2017 2:28 pm

2005 2.5 z4. we are looking to replace the rear discs and pads shortly, do the pistons just push in on these or do they need winding in?

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Stevepj
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replacing rear pads/discs, any special tools needed?

Post by Stevepj » Tue Jul 25, 2017 2:43 pm

The pistons should push back in, the tricky part is slackening off and adjusting the hand brake as you have to fish through one of the wheel bolt holes to move the adjuster mechanism with a screwdriver or similar.
Watch a few videos on youtube to see how it's done.
So this is where I write about the car? 2003 E85 2.5i, sterling grey, red leather, 106s with Goodyear Eagle F1s, factory xenons, folding mirrors, cup holders, retrofit cruise control, Bilstein B4's all round. And a whippy!

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Z4 Gaz
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replacing rear pads/discs, any special tools needed?

Post by Z4 Gaz » Tue Jul 25, 2017 2:43 pm

Push in, no special tools required.
Apart from maybe a large hammer to free the old discs. :thumbsup:
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taffy bhoy
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replacing rear pads/discs, any special tools needed?

Post by taffy bhoy » Tue Jul 25, 2017 2:56 pm

brilliant, cheers both, and yes handbrake is being done too. seen a few vids on that. havent found one specific to the z4 yet, but from what i have seen, you have the adjuster cogs through a bolt hole, and the nuts under handbrake? same system on the z4?

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replacing rear pads/discs, any special tools needed?

Post by Lance » Tue Jul 25, 2017 3:11 pm

Mines a 2.5 and I changed my rear discs myself (after 50k miles) discs came off over the handbrake shoes, caused no issue whatsoever, can't see why you would need to slacken off the handbrake via the adjusters. Just make sure the handbrake is off when removing the discs. Pistons definitely just push in.

Tip, have a good fitting 16mm spanner/socket for removing the caliper carrier, preferably with added leverage, it's very tight!!
Tip 2 - The grub allen bolt holding the disc in place, use a good quality tool for removal. Chew the head on this and the straight forward job becomes a real PITA.

Good Luck :thumbsup:

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replacing rear pads/discs, any special tools needed?

Post by MJJamieson » Tue Jul 25, 2017 3:15 pm

IMG_0513.JPG
IMG_0513.JPG (273.52 KiB) Viewed 2256 times
You need to put the auto adjuster on the hand brake mechanism in a service position, can be a pita.
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MrPT
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replacing rear pads/discs, any special tools needed?

Post by MrPT » Tue Jul 25, 2017 4:47 pm

Lance wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2017 3:11 pm
Tip 2 - The grub allen bolt holding the disc in place, use a good quality tool for removal. Chew the head on this and the straight forward job becomes a real PITA.
This!

Stop the moment you feel like you might be starting to ruin the head of the bolt. They should only be finger tight but it's not uncommon to need heat/wrench/penetrating fluid/dremel to remove them.

Also make sure the pistons are clean and true when you push them back (e.g. push against the old pad or a plate). That will minimise the chances of them seizing. Rears rarely do this though.

I'd also recommend spraying the disc vents and hub with silver heatproof paint before you put them on (unless they are already coated).
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

taffy bhoy
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replacing rear pads/discs, any special tools needed?

Post by taffy bhoy » Tue Jul 25, 2017 6:11 pm

ahh right, handbrake is different to the guides i have watched, they had 2 nuts to tighten under the handbrake, will have to see whats involved with that spring

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Z4 Gaz
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replacing rear pads/discs, any special tools needed?

Post by Z4 Gaz » Tue Jul 25, 2017 6:20 pm

Mine came off last weekend without having to adjust the handbrake in any way. One needed a bit more persuasion than the other, hence my hammer comment :lol:

Once you are done you will probably find the hand brake is useless. Drive along and pull it on a few times to bed in the handbrake surface area on the new discs. Should work fine afterwards, mine does.
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replacing rear pads/discs, any special tools needed?

Post by Lance » Tue Jul 25, 2017 7:03 pm

Taffy, have a think about the handbrake, the shoes shouldn't wear as they only contact the disc hub when applied, there should be no lip on the disc hub as I'm guessing you're not driving with the handbrake on? Any slack is due to cable stretch and shouldn't interfere with the disc change.

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replacing rear pads/discs, any special tools needed?

Post by Newbers » Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:44 pm

MJJamieson wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2017 3:15 pm IMG_0513.JPGYou need to put the auto adjuster on the hand brake mechanism in a service position, can be a pita.
Can anyone help - If I compress the spring and slide over to service position, how do I late get it back to normal working position?
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Steve84N
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replacing rear pads/discs, any special tools needed?

Post by Steve84N » Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:55 pm

Put the handbrake on.
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replacing rear pads/discs, any special tools needed?

Post by Newbers » Thu Aug 03, 2017 1:03 pm

So is this already in the service position? (It's how I found it....)
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Coupe, KW coil overs, PSB limiters, Powerflex ARB bushes, 18" CSL reps, Aero skirts, ZHP leather knob, Whippy and proud. Probably needs a wash :roll:

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replacing rear pads/discs, any special tools needed?

Post by Newbers » Thu Aug 03, 2017 1:16 pm

Got it. What a palaver.....
I think BMW adjusted my hand brake on a service at about 50k miles. I think they must have done it wrong
Anyway quite a lip on the inside of the drums.
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IMG_1087[1].JPG
IMG_1087[1].JPG (210.3 KiB) Viewed 2119 times
Coupe, KW coil overs, PSB limiters, Powerflex ARB bushes, 18" CSL reps, Aero skirts, ZHP leather knob, Whippy and proud. Probably needs a wash :roll:

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