Hello everyone.

I have a 2005 MINI COOPER S R53, and I changed all brake pads yesterday using the DIY from this site (thanks to those who put it together!). But now I noticed that my brake pedal has more free play than before - the brake used to be very hard, and now I have to push it 3/4 of the way to stop. Also the hand brake used to hold the car at the 3-rd notch, but now very easily goes up to the 4-th.

I called a dealer, and the dealer told me that I might have not installed the rear pads correctly. I used Hawk HPS brake pads. The dealer told me that OEM rear brake pads have notches on the back plate that supposed to be aligned with the holes in the piston. I did nto see any notches either on OEM old pads, or the new Hawk pads. There are metal springs (looking like wires along the back surface of the pad), but I did not think that I need to align them with the positions of holes in the piston. I also can't imagine how those springs can align with the holes, because the piston does not seem to have any notches on the surface - just 4 round holes. DIY says nothing about it.

Could someone, please, explain whether it is important to align the piston holes with the brake pads on the rear brakes somehow, and how it should be done.

Thanks a lot.

 

My 2003 r53 did not have the notches. If you haven't done a full brake bleed, I would start there. It may seem unnecessary for just a pad swap, but I have found it helps. Also what tool did you use when resetting the calipers? If the parking brake isn't right you may need to reset them .

 

Thank you for reply. It certianly helps to hear that I am not the only one with R53 and without grooves in the rear pistons. I certainly remember that my rear pistons did not have any grooves. I applied some greeze on the piston rim, so I remember it being flat. I found this post https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ginners-2.html (see post 33), where the guy talks about the same thing, but even from his picture I don't see how that metal wire on the back of the plate could fit into the groove on the piston. There are no grooves! Yesterday I noticed that my parking brake is back to normal (holds the car at 3-rd notch), and actually the pedal brake is also much better - it is almost back to normal. Maybe it is just a break-in time for new pads...How long did it take for your pads to adjust after you installed them?

No, I did not bleed the system. I just pushed all the fluid back. The brake reservoir is filled almost to the top cover. I used a brake caliper tool from Autozone (free 90 days loan!) to reset calipers. Very easy and convenient. I tried to watch the rubber seal so it does not get damaged, and does not get between the piston rim and the pad.

 

did you remove the reservoir cover prior to resetting the piston? Also, did you put the springs on the pad "around" the piston? It's kind of a trick, you push on the front spring, hook one of the side springs, then hook the other. Takes a few tries, but you'll get it.

 

Thanks! I think I got it. Everything is back to normal. Three springs should be around the piston, not in front of it. The pad once installed correctly is "hanging" on the piston. It was a bit difficult to put the side springs in...