Replacing BMW Brake Pads

Every automobile needs a functioning brakes. Brake and pads are responsible for clamping the brake rotors when the driver applies the brakes, and stopping the car as a result. These are important gears in all cars, including BMWs. Every BMW car has to be inspected for brake pads every 10,000 miles or so. Here are instructions how to keep your BMW brake pads in check:

Replacing the brake pads is probably one of the easiest maintenance tasks to do on your BMW. Once the inspection is done and the pads' material lining is already torn or worn down, it's time to replace your brakes including the pads. If an inspection is missed, a warning light will appear on the dashboard and once ignored, a devastating metal to metal friction may occur.

Things needed when replacing brakes and pads:

• New set of pads

• Screwdriver

• Socket set

• Floor jack and jack stands

It is important to park the BMW on a leveled flat surface. While parked, you can release the lug nuts and elevate the car with a jack on all four corners. If you are not sure what to do next, you can consult your mechanic or the owner's manual for the right jacking points. The next thing to do is to remove the wheels and spray on brake cleaner on the brakes and wipe them clean.

Next, take out the two caliper guide bolts that hold the brakes. Using a screwdriver, remove the larger spring on the outer caliper. You can easily slide off the caliper off the rotor in this manner. Take out the pad that is attached to the caliper piston by pulling the clip out that is fastened to the back of the pad. Do the same to the other brake pad. Remember that when replacing BMW brake pads, you have to replace both and not only one.

Condense the piston into the brake caliper to make room for the new brake pads over the rotor. BMW pistons can be compressed with a C-clamp. Place one pad against the piston and tighten the clamp. Next is the installation of the brake pads. Install it by pressing the clip on the back of the brake into the piston, place the other one on the caliper carrier and then slide the caliper back to the rotor. Make sure to tighten the installment of the two bolts that hold the caliper. Repeat this procedure to the other corners of the BMW and tighten the lug nuts that you loosened up in the beginning. To test out your new BMW brake pads, put pressure on the brake pedal until you feel that the brakes are compact once again.