Right, I apology, I didn’t do the page, I’ve got the pictures and all, but I feel a bit lazy these days.
Here are a couple of things to know from my little experience.
1) Buy the correct windback tool from BMW or it is going to be pain in the ****. I used a box with lots adapter and it was hard, had to tighten the tool with a spanner every half turn. Standard halfords tool didn’t work. If your tool doesn’t fit, know that you can always put back the calliper and the wheel and go buy another one (I did that!!!). Always push back the piston to its maximum and be careful with the rubber seal!!!
2) Get a proper jack and stands as you’ll have to go a bit under the car to unplug the sensor cable. See
this page .
Being dead crushed under a 1ton car is not funny, and I decline all responsibilities for people who wants to try that.
3) Get a proper torque wrench, I used a big 1/2 at £15 with a 3/4 adapter, it worked really well for both the wheel and the calliper. Torque values are (30NM~ 22 ftlb~264 inlb) for the calliper bolts and (100NM~ 73.7 ft-lb ) for the wheel, taken from
this page (it's not a Mini but I'm sure everybody will agree with these values). Also the hex driver I used to remove the calliper looked the same.
Never use the torque wrench to unscrew.
4) Replace the old sensor step by step from the plug inside the wing (follow the sensor cable to locate it) to the pad. Then you‘ll have to thanks cwwhk for the following tip:
“To reset the warning light, just turn key to the iginition on position without starting the engine, then press the tire pressure set button (under the handbrake) for about 30 seconds. Voila, light goes off.”
5) Clean up the inside of the wheels while they are off the car. Then the calliper with a clean dry tissue (and brake cleaning product if you have).
6) Get the plastilube from BMW to put on the back side of the pads, in order to prevent squeaksss. (I got it for free while I bought the pads). Don't put it the wrong side or your car won't brake anynore!
7) Putting back in place the caliper is pain in the ****, be patient. the right was easy then I had to use all my zen on the left
8) Once the job completed, be very careful, the handbrake won't work until you'll press the brake pedal a couple of times. Drive the car slowly and try the brakes a couple of time to be sure everything is fine.
9) I'll do it again, the only thing that you will miss the first time you try is the experience you are going to acquire while doing it!
Hope it helps.
NB: I sold my Mini and bought an Impreza, it seems changing pads are fairly easier on this car!
