Ok, I'm thinking these are probably stupid brake questions, but I'm going to throw them out anyways and hopefully get some good advice.

We have a Clubman that is a month or so old....1800 miles. As I have mentioned in other threads, the brake dust pisses me off. I wash it and wifey drives it to work and back the next day and the rims are already trashed, while the rest of the car looks great. I have been spoiled by GM brakes over the last several years with no brake dust and I don't want the Mini rims to eventually end up messed up or stained.

I have purchased new ceramic pads from Carbotech and am going to pop them on myself. I realize they won't be covered under the Mini warranty and I'm not worried about that.

Here are my questions:

When installing new pads on a Mini, should I use the 'anti-squeal' schmoo? The guy at Carbotech says I really don't need it but other import brakes I have done needed it. My GM truck and suburban don't need it though.

In looking through the rim at the back of the pads, it doesn't look like there is anything on the original pads.

Also, I am told there are electronic sensors on the pads. Will I be able to reuse the sensors or should I just pick up some new ones.

And lastly, when pushing in the rear caliper pistons, do they twist in like the Hondas/Acuras?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

you should have no problem moving the sensor over to the new pads if they are designed to have the sensor. As far as the lube is concerned I would at least put some in the track where the pad slides in and out of. hope that helps

 

And to answer the question about the twisting pistons, I believe the fronts don't twist but the rears do. If you have a harbor freight around you I believe they sell a tool for around $25 that does the job.

 

When installing new pads on a Mini, should I use the 'anti-squeal' schmoo? The guy at Carbotech says I really don't need it but other import brakes I have done needed it. My GM truck and suburban don't need it though.

I always apply some to the contact points and have never had a squeal or squeek problem. You can get a very small packet - enuf for 1 axle at most auto parts stores for about a buck. Ask at the counter as it is usually under the counter in the small quantity. Haynes says you use it on MINI for what that's worth. What can it hurt? You may even want to pop the rotors and apply some anti-seize to the hub and the torx on the rotor to make things easier down the road.

In looking through the rim at the back of the pads, it doesn't look like there is anything on the original pads.

When used, it sould be a very thin coating anyway....I never notice it as being visible on my pads and I've done my 02 twice, my 07 once and freebie jobs on a dozen other's MINIs.

Also, I am told there are electronic sensors on the pads. Will I be able to reuse the sensors or should I just pick up some new ones.

The sensor is on the left front and right rear, inside pads. Not all non-OEM pads have slots for the sensors. The sensor simply presses down into a slot in the pad. As you pull the inside pad on the left front and right rear, use a small screw driver and pry the sensor up and out of the slot. Don't panic if the small metal clip seperates....just pop it back together. If your brakes don't have a slot you can not remove the sensor from the circuit by unplugging it. Doing so will be seen as 'worn brakes'. If you don't have slots in your new pads, zip tie the sensor out of the way. The sensor is a consumable one. If your light didn't come on, the sensor is still good. (If the light comes on, the rotor wore the end of the sensor off and broke a wire, triggering the system. You reset by replacing the sensor with an unbroken one.)

And lastly, when pushing in the rear caliper pistons, do they twist in like the Hondas/Acuras?

Yes the rears twist. The harbor freight tool is good but you may also find a parts store that will lend a tool for a deposit.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40732

If you've done any disks b4 I think you'll find this a straight forward job.

 

I have not found a need to use it. I have also done brakes on my Golf, Mazda with no anti squeel, no problems.

Sensors are reusable

I believe they twist but have not had to do the rears on my mini.

 

sensors are most definitely NOT reusable!

 

They are until they have been triggered.

 

My sensors have not been triggered with only 1800 miles.

Thanks a bunch everyone for the advice. I think I have enough here to tackle it. It doesn't sound much different than any of the other brakes Ive done.

Thanks again!!

 

Good info above ...
the anti squeel cant hurt.

1 additional note, with any pads, a wax on the rims really helps the cleaning process.
I use "Wax as you dry" on the car every wash and the finishing touch is to spray the "wax as you dry" on the chamos (I do ues an extra / different one) and use that to dry the rims.

 

Thanks for the advice. That was one of my tasks while the wheels are off is to clean them inside and out and wax them since they are painted.

 

Well I tackled the brakes on the Clubman late last week and put on a set of Carbotech pads. After driving the car around all weekend and back and forth to work, I already notice a HUGE difference in the brake dust! It even seems to be stopping better. But I will be able to judge once the pads are 100% seated.

And I was able to reuse the sensors. No big deal. The only thing I blew was on the new rear pads, one inboard pad had the cut-away for the sensor and one did not. Well, not paying as much attention as I should have, I put the wrong pad on the wrong side and as I was wrapping up the last wheel (RR), I realized that I had done that and had to go back and pull the other rear apart and pull the pad....which took all of 5 minutes....but I now know!

Thanks everyone for all the tips and advice. It was a big help. I am really happy with the Carbotech's .....so far.

 

you will find that the carbotech 1521 pad do not make a great deal of dust. my wife has them on her just a cooper and i am down to washing her wheel once a weekish

 

Love my Carbotech Bobcats... took a week or so for them to really settle in, but now they STOP... and low dust (though my Hawk Ceramics were slightly lower dust, I think - but I expected that as the CTs are a bit softer and stop better).

 

I just had Bobcat 1521 pads put on the rear of my 2007 R56 MCS. The wrong front pads were shipped, so my mechanic had to put the OEM pads back on the front. As soon as the right ones arrive...

He was able to reuse my old sensor on the back. He ordered new ones, but didn't need to use them. He said that often, the plastic gets brittle from the brake heat and the crumble when removed. Since my car only had 7,000 miles, and I hadn't cooked them, they were still good.

He mentioned something about the rear needing to be screwed in because of the emergency brake. While the fronts don't.