Originally Posted by minvader

Roldero wrote:Can someone give some advice as to what is involved in doing this ourselves? I understand two people will be needed, but what tools are required and how long should it take to do? I am more than willing to volunteer helping others, even if it just pumping the pedal.


Mike
I tried to rally everyone a couple weeks ago so we could get together and learn to and/or teach each other how to do this, but it seemed like I was the only one here who cared to do so. Last weekend Drew ('Motor On') and I did our own brakes at my house, neither of us had ever done this on a Mini before, and it was really easy. If you can turn a wrench, you can do this, and you don't need to pay any more than the cost of fluid and pads ever again.

We did my car first, so it was a bit more time-consuming while we figured it all out (and we did some other work as well.) Drew's Mini went up on jackstands, fluid changed, pads swapped, and back on the ground in one hour... not too bad for a couple hacks like us.

Tools:
* floor jack
* 4 jackstands
* lug wrench
* oil drain pan
* typical metric socket set (sorry, can't recall which sockets you need)
* typical metric open-end wrench (again, forgot the size, maybe 10mm)
* flat tip screwdriver
* something resembling a large C-clamp, I used my vice that isn't bolted to a table
* short length of clear aquarium airline tubing ~12"
* rags & gloves (it's very dirty work!)
* Gatorade or beer

Basically all you need to do is lift the car up, remove all the wheels, take off one caliper assembly by removing 2 bolts, pop off a retaining clip, pull it apart (only a couple parts & 2 pads,) compress the piston with a clamp/vice, stick 2 new pads on, re-assemble the parts, bolt it back on, replace the retaining clip. There's a sensor wire on the left front, be careful with removing that from the old pad, you will put it back on the new pad.

Next you will sit one person in the car while the other fits the clear tube onto the bleeder valve on the right-rear caliper (tip - use the clear tubing for aquarium air pumps, heat the end with a lighter and stick a phillips screwdriver into it to make the opening large enough to fit the bleeder valve.) Loosen the valve about a quarter turn and tell the other person to start pumping the brake pedal. You will see the old fluid flowing through the tube into the drain pan (don't forget the drain pan!) Go up front and pour some new fluid into the reservior. Go back and check the color of the fluid coming out, go back and pour some more fluid in... keep doing this until the new clean fluid comes out, and be sure the reservior never empties - it must have new fluid in it at all times or else you will get air into the system. Once you are happy with the state of the fluid, stop pumping the brakes and tighten the bleeder valve. Move to the left-rear and repeat, then the right-front, and finally the left-front. Each of the following 3 brakes will take progressively less fluid to flush out the old stuff, so you will have to be quick to check the reservoir and keep it topped off while watching the stuff flowing out.

Those are my "in a nutshell" directions, based solely on a couple inexperienced guys figuring it out on our own. We read a few DIY's posted online, and they were somewhat helpful, but just getting in there and doing it was a great learning experience. I wouldn't say that my instructions here are anywhere near complete, I didn't intend to write a DIY in this response... I just wanted to let you know basically what you are in for if you decide to try this on your own. I encourage everyone that thinks they might want to learn more about their car to do this, it's very easy and you'll save a few bucks too.

Please be careful, your brakes will kill you (and/or maybe others) if you don't do it right (so will the car if you aren't careful while it's on jackstands)... so work smart and take your time. Read up on it if you don't feel 100% confident.