After weeks of searching on NAM and MINI2, I have yet to find a really well documented writeup on how to change your brake pads. Soooo, for all of you that are interested in this little chore, I should have one up sometimes tomorrow or Sunday.

Today, I spent 1-1/2 hours getting my car on jack stands, with all my tools ready, and my front wheels off, ready to replace the brakes, when I couldn't figure out how to remove the caliper (and putting it all back together again). And what does the piston look like? What's all this talk about having to push it in? And in the rear, you push AND rotate. Who's got pix of that? And EXACTLY what tools do I need?

I thought I had them all today. Outmotoring.com's writeup says you need a 16mm socket. I have no idea for which MINI this is, but removing the 16mm sockets don't remove the calipers. You need a 7mm allen that are hidden underneath hard to access plastic caps. Thanks to my Bentley Guide that documents that.

When you remove the retaining clip, how the heck is it supposed to go back on???

The brake pad sensor is a lot bigger than I had imagined. In fact, it looks a bit scary--from all the attachment points. No mention of that anywhere either.

So stay tuned, OctaneGuy to the rescue. With my writeup, ANYBODY with the right tools that I will specify can do the job the first time!!!

Man, I was frustrated today!!!!!!!!

 

FYI

Here is a link on Randy Webb's site that may have some how to help/hints. Note: It is for changing the rotors but most of it should work.

http://www.webbmotorsports.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5

-Andy

 

Thanks!! That's very helpful. I'd seen other how to's that Randy wrote on NAM, and they were missing all the pictures---broken links. Glad to see they are mostly working on his site. This article will be helpful in doing my own brakes!

The article is still missing some details, but it will work for now.

Thanks!!

Richard

 

As promised, here is my write up on replacing the brake pads. This was written for the absolute beginner and covers all the major components along with how to disassemble the calipers and showing what tools are needed. I will do a follow up write for the rear calipers in the near future.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...073#post487073

 

That was a good writeup! You may want to consider removing the Torx head bolt that holds the rotor on, applying anti-seize, then re-installing it.

Prior experience on other cars has shown me that these bolts like to seize in place and need to be drilled out when rotor replacement or removal is needed.

Applying anti-seize to this bolt will be one of my Day One PM procedures. (A stitch in time saves nine)

Rawhyde

 

Thanks for the write-up. I am especially interested in seeing how the rears work. I've seen a few mentions of the pistons needing to be rotated as they're withdrawn, and I gather this has something to do with the parking brakes. And there's some sort of special tool for this, but people apparently have been able to improvise. It's all as clear as mud to me, even after looking through the Bentley manual. (Haven't followed the link above to Randy's site yet. I'll have to check that out.)

I'd love to paint my calipers red, but I'm feeling very intimidated by the complexity of the rear brakes at this point!

 

Thanks Rawhyde and LombardStreet.

I might get myself an impact gun-- when it comes time to do my rotors. LOL. The guns themselves seem to run between $29 to $79 and add on a compressor for $150, I'm sure I'll find more uses for it. But I have no experience with them or even rotors yet!!! That will be an upcoming project.

LombardStreet--I will tackle the rear brakes next month after AMVIV II when I have more time. I will do the same type of write up for it, as I'm also very curious about the piston deal.

 

Does anyone have suggestions on a good impact gun?

I've got a compressor (more than one, actually), and a lot of experience with non-automotive tools, but I'm lost on which car tools are worth while (and have spent enought time futzing around with bad tools to know it's worth the money to get good ones).

 

If you're willing to part with the ca$h, get an Ingersoll-Rand. Otherwise, a Chicago Pneumatic is pretty good. Stay away from Taiwan, China, India, and Pakistan tools.

 

I''' second the Ingersoll-Rand recommendation. I have an IR 1/2" impact gun that I got in 1996, when they first came out (it was the first of the lightweight composite-housing models.) No maintenence needed other than a few drops of air tool oil before each use. I have yet to encounter a fastener it couldn't remove, so 600 ft-lb reverse torque is plenty for me.

Expensive, but worth every penny. Even the "Snap-On snobs" in the shop envied it when I first brought it in, b/c it had higher performance specs than theirs, and unlike theirs, it didn't weigh as much as a cinderblock!

(Not to be derogatory of Snap-On, mind you- they make top notch stuff, and I have some of it. I'm just not a one-brand loyalist.)

My name is Brian, and I own a mutt box. :smile: