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      09-18-2017, 10:50 PM   #1
snaketh
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Brake Pad Wear indicator

My car tells me my brakes have 3200 miles left. They were checked at the dealer and have 6mm at front and 8mm at rear.

Is the wear indicator that accurate? Seems like a dubious number, does the dealer put that 3200 miles left in my iDrive or is the car that smart?
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      09-18-2017, 11:12 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snaketh View Post
My car tells me my brakes have 3200 miles left. They were checked at the dealer and have 6mm at front and 8mm at rear.

Is the wear indicator that accurate? Seems like a dubious number, does the dealer put that 3200 miles left in my iDrive or is the car that smart?
No, it's pretty bogus.

Dealer might even reset the counter according to how much real pad you have left

The sensor will actually trigger when the disc starts contacting with the sensor and then it will show say 500 miles left

Anything before it goes yellow is just some estimation
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      09-19-2017, 12:02 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pikcachu View Post
No, it's pretty bogus.

Dealer might even reset the counter according to how much real pad you have left

The sensor will actually trigger when the disc starts contacting with the sensor and then it will show say 500 miles left

Anything before it goes yellow is just some estimation
Thanks Picachu, I thought it was BS.

I used to do the pads (and drums) on my older cars myself. Do you know if it's just as straight forward on the 2er? Could it void the warranty if I DIY?
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      09-19-2017, 07:59 AM   #4
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this car is very easy to change pads.

The caliper has 2 small pins you need to knock out from front to back, once out, there is a metal clip on top that holds pads in. once you take the top clip off, use your screw driver to open caliper and pop pads out, put new ones in, put clip back ontop, put 2 pins back in.
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      09-19-2017, 11:29 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bryan_f22 View Post
this car is very easy to change pads.

The caliper has 2 small pins you need to knock out from front to back, once out, there is a metal clip on top that holds pads in. once you take the top clip off, use your screw driver to open caliper and pop pads out, put new ones in, put clip back ontop, put 2 pins back in.
Sweet, I thought it was easy. Used to do pads all the time on my GTI. Do you know if it invalidates the warranty?

thanks
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      09-19-2017, 11:36 AM   #6
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brake pads? nah man...
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      09-20-2017, 01:53 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bryan_f22 View Post
this car is very easy to change pads.

The caliper has 2 small pins you need to knock out from front to back, once out, there is a metal clip on top that holds pads in. once you take the top clip off, use your screw driver to open caliper and pop pads out, put new ones in, put clip back ontop, put 2 pins back in.
I like to crack open the brake fluid reservoir too. Relieves pressure in the system when pushing the caliper pistons back. Also good time to check fluid level when you get the new pads in.

Don't take the cap off (don't want contaminants getting in). Just loosen all the way. Don't forget to tighten when done!
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      09-20-2017, 02:47 PM   #8
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anyone use this http://www.racingbrake.com/product-p/ccp01.htm

or instead of a C-clamp a dedicated tool to push back piston when doing pads ?
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      09-21-2017, 11:17 AM   #9
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^ I always used a punch to push the pins out and grab it with pliers on other cars.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pikcachu View Post
No, it's pretty bogus.

Dealer might even reset the counter according to how much real pad you have left

The sensor will actually trigger when the disc starts contacting with the sensor and then it will show say 500 miles left

Anything before it goes yellow is just some estimation
Dealers can put in an arbitrary value, instead of just resetting it?

Also, if you never triggered the sensor, does this mean you can re-use the sensor when you replace the "not-worn-enough-to-trigger" pads with brand new pads?
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      09-21-2017, 02:46 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cxp213 View Post
^ I always used a punch to push the pins out and grab it with pliers on other cars.



Dealers can put in an arbitrary value, instead of just resetting it?

Also, if you never triggered the sensor, does this mean you can re-use the sensor when you replace the "not-worn-enough-to-trigger" pads with brand new pads?
I got this https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...-pc-62686.html

That's what they said a while back.... i had about 2000mls left and then it started showing 15000...

I guess you could but, I think they recommend to replace it with every pad change.... you can get aftermarket sensors for $10 or so...
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      09-21-2017, 03:29 PM   #11
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You may want to pull some brake fluid out if there isn't much room above the fill line (at least watch it after each set of pads to be sure you aren't overflowing) - haven't done brakes on a BMW, but in the past it would sometimes overfill the reservoir, spill out in engine compartment where it is impossible to clean fully, and then eats away paint. My buddy had a trick metal 'turkey baster' for this - DK if it will dissolve regular plastic ones.
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      09-21-2017, 04:04 PM   #12
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Yes you can reuse the sensor.

I buy mine from FCP euro so when they do break, I get free replacements.

After you do your brakes, you have to reset your service conditions.

Can do this through the dashboard, or buy using a device like bavtech tool.

Steps are available on youtube.
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      09-22-2017, 09:41 AM   #13
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Good to know, but yeah I'll probably replace the sensors through FCP Euro. Still need to check them out, actually, but I digress.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maynard View Post
You may want to pull some brake fluid out if there isn't much room above the fill line (at least watch it after each set of pads to be sure you aren't overflowing) - haven't done brakes on a BMW, but in the past it would sometimes overfill the reservoir, spill out in engine compartment where it is impossible to clean fully, and then eats away paint. My buddy had a trick metal 'turkey baster' for this - DK if it will dissolve regular plastic ones.
I don't think there's any harm in you just taking some out using regular ones, as long as you're not letting it sit in the reservoir for extended period of time.

However, if you're at a point where there's too much fluid, you might as well just bleed out some old fluid.
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      09-22-2017, 06:42 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottSinger View Post
anyone use this http://www.racingbrake.com/product-p/ccp01.htm

or instead of a C-clamp a dedicated tool to push back piston when doing pads ?
I stick a screwdriver down against the pads and the rotor and force the pads (pistons, really) back. Doing so won't damage the rotors. Makes the whole process a lot easier. Yes, remove some brake fluid from the master cylinder. I've seen cars dripping brake fluid down the firewall as the person changing the pad didn't remove any fluid. Brake fluid is very corrosive.
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      09-22-2017, 08:52 PM   #15
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well... if you didn't add any fluid, then no matter how much you push the pistons back, it shouldn't technically overflow
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      11-20-2017, 03:50 PM   #16
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If I remember correctly the wear sensor is only on 2 calipers, correct? 1 in the front and 1 in the rear.

Pretty sure I noticed this when swapping out my track/street pads.

Last edited by Anthony235; 11-20-2017 at 03:56 PM..
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      11-20-2017, 03:53 PM   #17
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two sensors only.

And if it breaks and you don't have a new one available, you can twist the 2 wires together to form a loop, that will take the CEL off the dash until you replace.
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      12-18-2017, 12:17 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pikcachu View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by cxp213 View Post
^ I always used a punch to push the pins out and grab it with pliers on other cars.



Dealers can put in an arbitrary value, instead of just resetting it?

Also, if you never triggered the sensor, does this mean you can re-use the sensor when you replace the "not-worn-enough-to-trigger" pads with brand new pads?
I got this https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...-pc-62686.html

That's what they said a while back.... i had about 2000mls left and then it started showing 15000...

I guess you could but, I think they recommend to replace it with every pad change.... you can get aftermarket sensors for $10 or so...
Not sure if this is the case with yours but on GF 3 series said pads due 1K, there was a S/W glitch where the estimating parameters were wacky and once they updated it said 20k if memory serves.

Yours may have been a similar situation.
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      12-20-2017, 06:32 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maynard View Post
You may want to pull some brake fluid out if there isn't much room above the fill line (at least watch it after each set of pads to be sure you aren't overflowing) - haven't done brakes on a BMW, but in the past it would sometimes overfill the reservoir, spill out in engine compartment where it is impossible to clean fully, and then eats away paint. My buddy had a trick metal 'turkey baster' for this - DK if it will dissolve regular plastic ones.
I made this rookie mistake. I was like what the hell is leaking from my belly pan. Then realized it was brake fluid.

I ended up won't everything I could and then dumping a bunch of denatured alcohol down the same area.
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      05-14-2018, 07:46 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bryan_f22 View Post
two sensors only.

And if it breaks and you don't have a new one available, you can twist the 2 wires together to form a loop, that will take the CEL off the dash until you replace.
If anyone needs a sensor or two I have some. I didn't know there was only 2 and they don't work with my StopTech pads so I have 1 rear and 2 front spares.
PM me your info. I will send them to you for free. They are just taking up space on a shelf in my garage.
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      05-14-2018, 12:50 PM   #21
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I'm down to 1 front sensor.
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      06-01-2018, 04:10 PM   #22
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Is it possible to check your brake pads with the wheels on? I tried the straw method but there's really no clearance past the caliper.
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