BMW 1 Series - Replacing the Front Brake Discs, Brake Pads and Brake Pad Wear Sensor

[@johnriley8713]

Excellent, a super-clear video of all the steps. How about lubrication though? I put brake grease on the ears of the pads, the points where the calipers apply pressure on the pads, and of course the caliper pins where the two parts slide across one another. All to help make sure the pads release fully from the rotors. And then anti-seize grease on caliper bolts and the mating surfaces on the rotors, to help the next guy take everything off easily.

[@kieranbrady9750]

Just want to say a massive thank you Kev , top man appreciate your video you gave me the confidence to change my front brake pads (bmw 1 series f20) you explain thing throughly and with common sense and initiative I managed to save myself over £600! Thanks again

[@KevsShed]

Great to hear!👌

[@EdSouthall-j3k]

Very helpful especially advice to use heat to free up the bolt holding the disc on

[@mwright6395]

Thanks for the clear and simple video. Ill be doing these in April as i get the convertible out and start driving it again when the weather allows

[@darrylhughes8734]

thanks Kev these videos are making my life so much easier for my 1 series. Brilliant vid

[@KevsShed]

Glad to help! 👍🤓

[@KR4K40]

Great video, thanks to your 10/10 guides I changed the pads myself on my 2006 120d, all brembo discs and pads all round, slotted discs up front because racecar

[@KevsShed]

Glad it helped

[@GordyCOD]

Great tutorial Sir, got 1300miles till my pads need doing bit of a novice when it comes to cars but your vid was spot on sir. New sub for you

[@KevsShed]

Glad it helped

[@Jack-vm9hq]

Absolutely spot on, changed my front and rear discs and pads using your videos, thanks mate. 👍

[@KevsShed]

Nice one 👍🏻

[@drnh4444]

Thanks Kev... Thats actually a really easy job

[@fireykev]

You need brake cleaner on the discs , as they have a film of oil on the when they are in storage, I would have greased the slide pins ., good vid

[@KevsShed]

kevin parrington these discs do not have a film of oil on when new as they have the painted coating on from the factory. Generally it is the cheaper discs that have an oily film on instead of paint.

[@KevsShed]

The same can be said about opinions too I suppose! 🤔

[@KevsShed]

@@bimmerladuk at no point did I state that they were 'top brakes', if you wish to revisit the video you will clearly hear me state that they are a good bang for buck option and that the discs I am using are from Mintexs own premium range, at no point did I say that they are better or worse than the Pagid or TRW options. Yes to be frank, discs supplied with an anti-oxidising oil coat are cheaper discs! Sorry if you feel that you have cheaped out! You could have bought these Mintex ones for not much more! Just because you bought them from BMW doesn't mean you bought their premium option, they supply both Pagid budget options, Pagid premium options as well as TRW discs which are their top end selection. Thanks for the comment however.

[@KevsShed]

@@bimmerladuk So long as all 6 of your subscribers know! ;)

[@nav1]

Just came across your video. Very helpful Kev, well done.

[@lavishtothebag]

loved the video literally I feel confident enough to do my own brakes! thank you

[@jonmultimedia]

Great tutorial, thank you :D I'd also paint the calipers and the center cilinder with some rust protection paint. It's quite cheap and can be good in the long run.

[@KevsShed]

I agree on the paint suggestion, when the callipers need a rebuild, I will do that very thing, just like I did with the mini rear callipers recently 👌🏻

[@kathleenrobson1152]

Simply explained made it easy to understand

[@philc7135]

With regard to replacing the sensor cable…. What needs resetting in the car and how do u do that pls. Great video. Really useful.

[@KevsShed]

I have a video on resetting the service indications on this car. Follow that video and reset the menu for brake pads 👌🏻

[@philc7135]

@@KevsShed found it. Thanks.

[@artoscamber]

Great video Kev

[@Kabaselefh]

Thank you from Western Canada 🇨🇦 for the tutorial, you’ve got yourself a new subscriber.

[@SuperBarcode01]

Very easy to follow video. planning to change the breaks on my 2009 128i this weekend. Just wondering how many break pad sensors my car has

[@KevsShed]

It'll have one on the front and one on the rear mate, that's all.

[@ehsaankhan3461]

Where can I find the front brake pads from in the UK? I have had a look at Euro, GSF and Autodoc they all dont have the clip on the back of the pad for the E87. Instead they all give the brake pads that are suitable for the F series instead of the E.

[@ryanh3285]

Good video slightly different set up on the e81 2008 i did today.

[@KevsShed]

Nice 👍

[@saulopena9840]

thank you for your video Kev. It was very helpful. Be well.

[@KevsShed]

Glad you liked it and found it useful.

[@dylansmith1380]

Great video. Big thanks

[@owninfools]

The shop wanted $700 to do this for me. I bought the parts online for $200, and since I’m on vacation this week I’ll do it myself and save money. Thanks for this video! What tools did you need? (Size, wise)

[@KevsShed]

This can be done with a generic socket set, a jack and a set of axle stands, nothing fancy!

[@ludwig5103]

In germany you buy one more bmw 116 with 700 $.

[@deanrettew6498]

Do you use any brake grease on the caliper guide bolts and pat tabs?

[@KevsShed]

I use ATE Plastilube on the bearing surfaces of the pads and that’s it. The BMW TIS specifically states to fit the slide bolts clean, but dry of any lubrication!

[@BazFormallyLVFCTV]

Super video, Thanks kev!

[@KevsShed]

Glad you liked it!

[@evieemaya88]

Great video keV. Do you have a video on how you raise and support a BMW?

[@adriankjnn3890]

great! super informative video which made it seem super easy! thank you

[@KevsShed]

Glad you liked it!!

[@rbemuscle6058]

Awesome man! Did you at any point need to release the hand brake? Or it is not necessary? Cheers!

[@KevsShed]

Not for the fronts mate no. The rears will need the handbrake releasing otherwise you’ll not be able to remove the disc.

[@rbemuscle6058]

@@KevsShed nice one thanks mate! Will have a go at mine next weekend 😁 cheers!

[@adriankjnn3890]

how do i reset after changing? please make a video!

[@KevsShed]

Here ya go buddy, I already made one, in this video I did a reset of the service indicators for the oil change but follow the instructions and select brakes instead of oil ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/iofQiJ2Zo7mZgs0

[@iyliparoidiamonds]

thanks so much for this video

[@KevsShed]

You are so welcome!

[@ImranKhan-dk8bo]

Hey kev I have a BMW X3 e83... I assume it’s the same process ? just waiting for weather to be dry here in Manchester than I shall start

[@KevsShed]

Near identical with only very minor differences bud 👍🏻

[@ImranKhan-dk8bo]

@@KevsShed thanks Kev .. this video saved me time and money . Very much appreciated. I shall follow you and I have subscribed too . Thank you 🙏🏽

[@chronicmachines6717]

Helpful video, Cheesy music at the end made sick tho ha

[@KevsShed]

Just goes to show that you watched it all the way to the end! :)

[@starkerss]

Great video, tackling all 4 corners of my F21 tomorrow, haven't done brakes for years do you need to put copper grease on the back of the pads? thanks

[@KevsShed]

No need, this is something that people used to do to stop brake squeal back in the days of old when brake tech wasn't what it is nowadays. It actually states in the BMW TIS not to apply it to the rear of the pad. Folk will argue till they are blue in the face that it is needed but this video was made over 2 years ago and the car is on the same discs and pads with no squeal at all. In fact the brakes on this car are bloody excellent. They have really good bite and feel stronger than the brakes on my M3! 👌

[@KevsShed]

What I would do though is apply a little ATE Plastilube to the shoulders of the pads where they contact the caliper! 👌

[@TheeRapGame]

Hey Kev, really good video, very clear and informative! What kind of torch to you use for heating up the bolt?

[@KevsShed]

Nothing special, something like this www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293216767851

[@rickknight3823]

Hi there Kev, great video. What size Allen bolt holds the brake disc on? Is it better to use a hex head or something? I know if it's not tight it'll strip.

[@KevsShed]

It’s a good question and from memory I believe it is 6mm. If you have a hex head socket then it’ll give you better leverage than a regular Allen key for sure. If you can get a bit of heat into it then that’ll help too 👍🏻

[@rickknight3823]

@@KevsShed thanks a lot Kev, your videos are brilliant for driveway diyers. Did you focus that heat around the screw or directly on it, couldn't quite tell from the angle you were filming. My only issue is not having a trolley jack available to get it onto the tripod stands. So having to use a normal jack on those points for each wheel. Not as stable as I'd like.

[@KevsShed]

Directly on it mate 👌

[@lennonpolo]

Nice little vid that!

[@jamiematto5335]

Great video. Gonna have a go tomorrow. Do i reset the dash warning/service light before or after i fit the new sensor and pads. Cheers jay.

[@KevsShed]

Do it after as changing the sensor may affect its ability to reset 👌🏻

[@KevsShed]

Also I have a video on resetting the service indicators! 👌🏻 check it out and don’t forget to subscribe 👍🏻

[@Asl6uk]

Good vid. Looking to do the job on our E87 1 er. Thanks.

[@KevsShed]

Glad to help

[@greenman2262]

Kev a good wash down with brake cleaner spry and a coating of copper grease will make life and your brakes work easer

[@KevsShed]

Contrary to popular opinion, the BMW TIS specifically states not to use any grease on the back of the pad or the guide pins! 👌

[@Ck2noi1]

Do I have to change the sensor?

[@ryanlal6250]

Brilliant mate 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@ryanh3285]

Dam i didn't get a brake wear indicator do you think it would matter if i did it after.

[@KevsShed]

Shouldn’t hurt if you manage to carry out the brake reset on the OBC, if it doesn’t let you then it’ll need to be replaced.

[@ryanh3285]

@@KevsShed ok cheer's just done the pads as I couldn't get the discs bolt out .Need to borrow a blow torch and get a better tool to remove them stupid things.Both my inner pads were worn all the way and the outer ones only half way.

[@KevsShed]

Ryan H it’s not unusual for the pad on the piston side to have greater wear than the non piston side, the non piston side force is applied as a reactionary force from the disc resisting the force from the inner pad.

[@spudgun857]

Hello mate good video is a torque wrench important to tighten bolts or would common sense be ok to tighten?

[@KevsShed]

A torque wrench is used to ensure that fasteners are not just tightened up enough but also to ensure that they are not over-tightened. It would be wrong of me to advise you otherwise.

[@spudgun857]

Ok good advice I have a series 1 E88 2012 are the pad changes the same as your video or are they different I noticed on my front breaks theirs no retaining clip across the front it’s inside along the top will squeezing the piston back in be the same way as you done it or could I need the tool to wind it back in ?

[@KevsShed]

You only need to wind the pistons back in on rear calipers where the handbrake operates on the caliper. For yours this won't be an issue. Furthermore, on your 2012 car the process will be almost identical, there are slight variations between the calipers but nothing to drastic.

[@spudgun857]

Thanks for your help 👍

[@hkhk5911]

👍👍👍 thanks for sharing

[@umranafzal2969]

Kevin I've noticed that you have the same brand of brake pads and discs. Is it necessary that I use the same brand for the discs, pads and sensors if I'm replacing all 4 tires or can I use different brands?

[@KevsShed]

No not at all, you can use whatever brand you want front or rear, there’s no need to match them all!

[@umranafzal2969]

@@KevsShed Kevin I got another question. How do you know what size brake pads you need? Do you take one out of your existing car and measure away?

[@kathleenrobson1152]

Mintex are a quality brand to be relied on. We have used them in our garage for 47 years. Bmw dont make discs or pads they buy them in from quality manufactures with BMW on the box.

[@KevsShed]

Absolutely, these discs and pads have been excellent, the brakes still feel fantastic and it's been nearly a year and a half since I fitted them! 👍🤓

[@mattjames8140]

I've got the pads and sensor of eBay for £60, mintex, been quoted 2 hours labour too replace it all, is that fair ?

[@KevsShed]

Just the pads and the sensor? I think that's a bit over the top, I could do that in an hour easily. Perhaps do it yourself?

[@mattjames8140]

@@KevsShed pads and sensors yeah so quoted £100 , yeah I am tempted!

[@peterguerreri7143]

What about using brake cleaner to clean the disc?

[@KevsShed]

That’s what brake cleaner is for but I’m unsure why you want me to do it! These are painted discs not the cheaper ones that have a slimy anti-corrosion coating. There’s literally nothing on them to clean off!

[@leechilds5760]

Is this the same for the F20?

[@KevsShed]

Pretty much 👌🏻

[@warnergonzalez1714]

where can i buy this brakes and pads??

[@KevsShed]

From any motor factors 👍🏻

[@warnergonzalez1714]

@@KevsShed i want to buy them online but i need a good website that is not going to give me the wrong ones

[@KevsShed]

I got these from eurocarparts but I can’t guarantee that they won’t get them wrong as they have done so with me in the past which is a real pain!

[@thewelshwizard5869]

I found video very helpful, but 'Bit of life left in them'? They look almost brand new to me! Surprised you didn't use any lubrication (copper slip maybe) when assembling.

[@KevsShed]

Yeah, there was plenty of life in the pads but the discs were pretty much done, naturally you don't reuse pads on new discs so they had to go. As for lubrication on brakes, this is a topic of much disdain! Put simply, I have never used copperslip on brakes and never will either!

[@thewelshwizard5869]

@@KevsShed hi, Thank you for taking the trouble to reply and you make some very interesting points. When changing discuss, sadly, even recently replaced pads have to go. There seem two opposite opinions on lube, I’m in the middle unfortunately and not sure which camp to be in. Thanks again. 👍🙂

[@KevsShed]

With regards to lube on brakes, if manufacturers don’t apply it to brand new vehicles and it’s not mentioned in any factory manual that I own then why do it! 🤷🏼‍♂️ that’s my theory anyway 👍🏻

[@Ochtone]

Great video.

[@KevsShed]

Ochtone thanks buddy, glad you enjoyed it 👌🏻

[@simonheslop794]

Thanks for the video. I just want to check, is there no need to use copper grease on the new pads, where they slide on the calliper?

[@KevsShed]

In all honesty, I am yet to ever see a vehicle manufacturer recommend the use of copper grease any where near any braking components yet this still seems to be regularly touted as a worthwhile procedure! Many will disagree with me but I do not and will not recommend the use of copper grease on brake systems. If it were a requirement then it would be on brand new vehicles from the factory and it simply isn’t. Hope thus answers your question 👍🏻

[@Unknown-dw9oq]

When I did my college course they said to add a little bit of copper slip onto the two edges as it will stop brake squeal copper slip should also be put on the slides to make sure they don’t sized like mine has Witch was a new calliper not to long ago

[@larscajvall5804]

THX...very helful..

[@KevsShed]

Thank you 👌🏻

[@HONMONSTER]

What No Copper grease? But good tutorial

[@simonh870]

Good video, I have just fitted Mintex pads to my 120d and I am getting the pads rattling in the caliper whilst going over bumps. I have been told that the shims are missing from the calipers, but my calipers look exactly like yours and yours don't seem to have shims either. The pads were not a good fit, so I am suspicious that I have been supplied with counterfeit pads.

[@KevsShed]

I suppose that is a distinct possibility, I have used Mintex pads several times without any problems, these pads fit the caliper perfectly in my case. I would get in touch with the seller of your pads and discuss the issue with them as counterfeit pads are likely to be dangerous!

[@simonh870]

Thank you for the reply. I have used them before as well and never had any issues. i am planning on removing them this weekend, then I am going to send some pictures off to Mintex so that they can confirm whether they are fake or not. They are very dusty pads as well. My silver wheels are now dark grey after only a couple of hundred miles.

[@piovo1]

@@simonh870 abit late but some copper slip so it slids easy is always good.

[@seanpaul3050]

Tip - much better do this job on a nice warm summers day than freezing your nuts off on the 5th of January. Lol

[@KevsShed]

True story! 😂

[@billyblackford8051]

Quality vid that !!

[@KevsShed]

Glad that you liked it 👍🏻

[@Zinbou1]

Pretty nice video, but you can take a breath from time to time 😂

[@Guerriss]

Orange county choppers!!!

[@stuartgreen8606]

Bet that car sounds like a wailing banshee when braking, not an ounce of copper grease in sight and them discs will be more welded on next time.

[@KevsShed]

😂😂😂 I'd love to know where this fascination with copper grease began! How many brand new cars and bikes have you ever owned? I guarantee that none of the ones I have bought new had any copper grease anywhere near the brakes at all! Second to that, why are you looking at videos about BMW brakes if your are an apparent expert?

[@heathbrowning34]

Great video Kev. Cheers