Hey guys! I have done some searching and havent really found what i was looking for, so here goes:

Im up for my 1st brake pad change (indicator came on in my 05 MCS). When i change the pads:

..... I plan on changing them myself....

1) Do i need to re-surface the rotors (get them serviced) if i just change the pads only

2) Do i use the current brake sensor? Is a new one included with OEM/ Aftermarket pads?


Thanks all for now.. Thanks in advance!!
-mike

 

If the rotors are in good shape they don't need to be resurfaced. When I changed the pads on my '03 I just cleaned them up with some garnet sandpaper (as instructed by the supplier's website) and had no problems.

If your sensor light has been triggered you'll have to replace the sensor/lead. If the light hasn't gone off you can reuse the sensor; it clips to the pad.

 

Most will recommend that you replace the rotors at the same time as the pads. Best for overall life of the brakes.

 

-yeah the sensor light has been triggered... so where do i get another sensor/lead.. are they included with OEM/ Aftermarket pads?



-And yeah, ive heard about replacing the rotors as well. and even upgrading them. Right now, im just looking at the most cost efficient solution..


thanks

 

You can get the brake sensor from the dealership. $10-$15 bucks if I remember correctly. Or just don't put a new one on. If you go that route though, I don't remember if you have to short the connection or not.

When replacing my own brake pads, I went through two pads without replacing the rotors. I had no issues.


-Paul!

 

I believe you can twist together the wires in the old sensor cable and it will work... may have to reset the ECU by switching on (but not starting) for a minute to make the light go out...

 

Hey Paul!.. Did you get the rotors serviced?.. or just slapped on the new pads?.. Thanks a lot

 

I bought some EBC pads for my Lexus and they had a "disk conditioning" layer on them. It was red and abrasive. After a couple days of driving my rotors were super smooth.
Unless you notice pulsing (warped rotors) or see deep grooves, I'd skip the resurfacing and just do it on the next set of pads.

 

Nice.. Thanks a lot!.. thats kind of what i was looking for..... were they the green ebc pads? or red?.. do most other pads have the initial conditioning layer?

 

Nope, just slapped on the new pads. I gave the rotors a good eyeballing to check for any deep grooves (didn't have any), and that was about it.

The OEM pads that I bought didn't have any special abrasive layer on them, I don't think. I just followed a 'bedding in' procedure that I found somewhere on NAM, and called it a day. The procedure was basically finding a long, straight, flat, unused piece of road or parking lot, speeding up to about 50ish (I think), and applying the brakes firmly to a near stop. And then doing the same a few times over. This helped wear the brakes in a bit. Then it's just taking it easy on the brakes for a hundred miles or so (try not to slam on the brakes, and allow a little exra stopping room).

And I'm by no means an expert. I basically printed off a DIY guide I found on NAM (I forgot who it was... OctaneGuy maybe? Great guide whoever it was), and had at it. It took me a few hours the first time because I was nervous, triple checking everything I was doing, and wanted to make sure I didn't screw anything up. But now that I've done it a few times, I can do it at a leisurely pace and still be done in about a half hour.

Good luck!


-Paul!

 

Nice! Thanks a lot! another useful day on NAM

 

They were just the regular ones. Here's where I got them, I looked up the Mini to make sure they had them.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/pr...=brake_pad_set

I also see that they carry the sensor. I've never priced sensors, but they seem reasonable here.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/pr...ake_pad_sensor

 

Just went through this last week Mike..

Contact Helix Motorsports.. can get updated rotors and pads and the sensor for about $325-350 and the install is very straight forward. The stage one kit has new braided lines and type 4 brake fluid to boot...

replacement took me about an hour and a half.. you will need a few tools including a Torx set and metric sockets but nothing very expensive