Alright so these are probably questions that have been asked a thousand times, and believe me I have searched but I have some other questions. I just bought a bunch of brake stuff from ECS tuning and can't wait to put them on, but I just wanted to go over a few things that seem to against the typical convention. Its not my first brake job, but it is a first for myself (I helped a buddy do his brakes on a E46 BMW).

I bought Zimmerman Z coated brakes. Do I need to use brake cleaner on the rotors, or will this ruin the coating? I understand that its a chemical bond thing, but I am concerned about ruining the surface of the coating.

EBC Redstuff pads, I have heard great things and went ahead with these. I HATE squealing and understand that they may squeal for the first couple of hundred to 1000 miles (I really hope they don't). Do I use anti-squeal compound on the back and/or "ears" of the pads? I know they have shims and have seen some people adding anti-squeal and some not. Typically you do use the compound so i'm a bit confused here. Im really interested in hearing what Way might have to say about this seeing as he offers these rotors and pads as a kit.

Anti-seize. I was given aluminum based anti-seize (i think). Should I use this or do I need to look for a copper based anti-seize compound? When putting in new guide pins is this what I use as well or do I use a different compound?

Calipers. How do you clean them? Water and soap? A cleaner? Or do I use brake cleaner? Will I harm anything (Really concerned about rubber parts around the caliper. Not the guide bushings themselves because they are being replaced).

Bedding. From my understanding EBC Redstuffs are install and drive until after about 200 miles. Then you can bed the brakes as per their guide.

These are questions I still have after looking at a bunch of threads as well as watching a couple of videos on youtube (yes I know) from what I feel were decent sources (BavarianAuto). I also read both guides on rotor and caliper replacement on Pelican Parts and NAM (Although i wish the pictures were working on NAM). I am really interested in the pad discussion as I have a lot of concern over the noise that may happen. Thanks in advance!

Oh btw its an R53. Forgot to mention that.

 

I've been doing my own brakes and for many other owners since 2002 . . .

I bought Zimmerman Z coated brakes. Do I need to use brake cleaner on the rotors, or will this ruin the coating? I understand that its a chemical bond thing, but I am concerned about ruining the surface of the coating.

any 'coating' on the actual braking surface is going to be gone the first time you apply the brakes ... that's how they work .. friction applied to the surface. 'Coatings' applies to the edges and centers IME. Clean the entire rotor with brake cleaner ... but don't let the cleaner sit on the coated edges. Cleaning the brake surface IS important as you do not want to contaminate the pad/rotor interface with grease . .

EBC Redstuff pads, I have heard great things and went ahead with these. I HATE squealing and understand that they may squeal for the first couple of hundred to 1000 miles (I really hope they don't). Do I use anti-squeal compound on the back and/or "ears" of the pads? I know they have shims and have seen some people adding anti-squeal and some not. Typically you do use the compound so i'm a bit confused here. Im really interested in hearing what Way might have to say about this seeing as he offers these rotors and pads as a kit.

Anti-seize. I was given aluminum based anti-seize (i think). Should I use this or do I need to look for a copper based anti-seize compound? When putting in new guide pins is this what I use as well or do I use a different compound?

Anti-squeal/seize? IMO you are over thinking it. Use the same stuff in all locations. On the pads you want to use it any where you have metal to metal contact: the ears of the pads and where the caliper piston meets the pad, and on the slider pins

Calipers. How do you clean them? Water and soap? A cleaner? Or do I use brake cleaner? Will I harm anything (Really concerned about rubber parts around the caliper. Not the guide bushings themselves because they are being replaced).

I use brake cleaner and a small wire brush .. stay away from the rubber parts

Bedding. From my understanding EBC Redstuffs are install and drive until after about 200 miles. Then you can bed the brakes as per their guide.

EBC comes with a bed in coating .... I use EBC red and recommend them to my friends. I advise them to drive carefully with their new brakes for 500 miles then drive normally. If you don't track, you do not need agressive bedding procedures. Disagree? What is the brake bedding procedure in the owner's manual????

 

Thanks a lot Capt_bj! In regards to the anti-seize and anti-squeal aren't there two different things? One is like a pasty rubbery goo that goes on the back of the pads and one is a silvery/copper compound which goes on the mating surfaces? Also what about the guide pins, do I need a separate lubricant or do I use anti-seize (Im using rubber bushings still)?

 

you need a high temperature grease ... they come in many forms . . .

the pads I buy usually come with small packets of 'brake lube' which I use on the dog ears and piston faces.


If there is any left over I use that on the sliders ... and if not, I use silver anti-seize . . .

by definition anti-seize is a high temp lubricant . . .

has worked for me for over 25 years . . .

 

Awesome. Wasn't doubting you, just trying to make sure everything goes well. Like I said its not my first time doing brakes, but it is my first time using EBC Reds which have this shim (Or so I read), thus my questions. Hopefully it doesn't rain tomorrow so I can get them done!