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I am planning on helping a friend do a brake job on his E46 and wanted to make sure that I don't need any special tools that I don't have. Also, if you have any insight on any funny tricks I should know.
Thanks
Thanks
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Adam
It's not so much the heat as it is the humidity -
Re: E46 Brakes
ewww brakes.. I seem to have lots of recent experience with e36 and e46 brakes.
Only special tool I recommend is a set of flared wrenches so that you dont screw the bleeder valve like I did.
Other then that, if your doing the rotors, you will need an allen wrench.99 AW M3 -
Re: E46 Brakes
Yup... an assortment of metric wrenches, some flare wrenches for the bleed screws, a rubber mallet* and metric allen wrenches*.
*only if changing rotors
This would be an excellent time to install a set of Vorshlag / Motor-Force studs!Comment
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Re: E46 Brakes
Originally posted by John in Houston
agreed! I love my studs99 AW M3Comment
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Re: E46 Brakes
The only tricky thing they haven't mentioned above is the anti-vibration calmpy thingie. It's a little piece of stamped steel that holds the pads against the disk so they don't vibrate/squeal (this doesn't work on Hanchey's super squeaky Hawk HP+ ads!).
It's a little tricky getting on-off. Basically, pry it off with a screw driver (let it fly!) and get it back on with a some pliers and a hammer. Muscle!Comment
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Re: E46 Brakes
He said he was thinking about getting the Motor-Force/Vorshlag stud kit...Originally posted by John in Houston
But only if he can get Vorshlag stickers with it.
He also found a Turner rotor/pad
$260 stock brake kit (pads, rotors, sensors, set screws and fluid) + $25 pad upgrade (axxis ultimate) + $110 upgrade to cross drilled rotors. And possibly getting the stainless brake lines $89. Any thoughts on whether that's a good deal or is there a better one.Last edited by GoDog; 04-14-2006, 12:12 PM.Adam
It's not so much the heat as it is the humidityComment
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Re: E46 Brakes
I didnt get any cool stickers?! maybe with the camber plates coming soon?Originally posted by GoDog
Helmet looks boring with no stickers99 AW M3Comment
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Re: E46 Brakes
Mmm... I'd try to talk him out of the $110 cross-drilled craziness. This is a bling-only option that will both reduce rotor life and do absolutely nothing for braking performance (this trick was usefull back in the stone ages when performance brake pads "degassed"; modern brake pads haven't degassed in 15+ years). Cross drilling also is not legal for Stock or SP classes - but is legal in the blingeriffic ST categoryOriginally posted by GoDog
The ss brake lines are also kinda blingy and unnecessary, and will make for a messy and lengthy bleeding procedure that would otherwise not be needed (fun with ABS Bleeding 101). But still, if someone gave me SS lines "I wouldn't kick 'em outta bed". The obvious replacement flex brake line when needed.
When I bought rotors and pads for the last 2 BMWs I did brakes on (my E39 540 and David's E39 530) I went with a smaller company that advertises on bimmerforums.com, and their deals were better than from Turner (who also carries very good parts, and has a great online store/options, but can be pricey). I forget their name... "performance parts group" or something? I called them to check on the order and got the owner and he bent over backwards to fix something. They have a little yahoo e-store front and little else. They worked great for me on 2 different BMW brake repair jobs. Have also used bimmer-zone and the others for these types of parts, but Turner and PPG both know BMW brakes very well (better than some random import car repair parts reseller).
Don't forget to get the BMW brake pad wears sensors! This little $11-12 sensor (one located on each end of the car, like on the RF and LR calipers) wears out when the pads wear down and needs to be replaced. When it wears down, it lights a warning light on the dash to tell you your pads are low. Over time this plastic/metal sensor gets brittle (sitting next to brakes that can reach 800-1000'F will do that to plastic, amazingly) and it can break during a pad change. So, even if the "low brake pad" warning light isn't on, it might still be wise to buy replacement sensor(s). With the SS brake line change and subsequent flushing (and reflushing), I'd also order 2 qts/liters of brake fluid. $10/per from PPG for the "racing blue" stuff.
stickers: We will add a check box to the shopping cart soon that asks if a customer wants a "vorshlag.com" sticker with an order. Thanks to someone on this list who shall remain nameless (otherwise he'll be swamped with free/cheap sticker requests!) we have a LOT of vorshlag stickers now and he's making us some BIG ones for the Tour.
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Re: E46 Brakes
I disagree.. I replaced my old stock lines with SS lines and I LOVE the feel... The pedal is much more firm and doesnt give at all. There is a definent better brake feel with these.. imoOriginally posted by Fair!The ss brake lines are also kinda blingy and unnecessary, and will make for a messy and lengthy bleeding procedure that would otherwise not be needed (fun with ABS Bleeding 101). But still, if someone gave me SS lines "I wouldn't kick 'em outta bed". The obvious replacement flex brake line when needed.99 AW M3Comment
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Re: E46 Brakes
Better feel is the main advantage of ss brake lines. No improvement in stopping distances, but feel is important. Not important enough for me to spend $130-150 on them though.
-Sean Martin
2009 Pontiac G8 GTComment
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Re: E46 Brakes
No improvement in stopping distances, BUT now I'm not worrying about my old rubber flex lines bursting when under hard braking..99 AW M3Comment
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