Brake Pads R56

[ianking]

Anyone changed front brake pads yet on an R56.

I have changed front pads on an R50 a couple of years ago.

Its for an R56 CooperD that my neighbour owns. He does a huge amount of miles and the warning light is on all ready. He was quoted lots and lots of pennies by a dealer to fit them so I said I will take a look at it at the weekend for him.

Was just wondering if there were any specific tools that I need or if it is much the same as the R50 set up.

[AeroJonny]

I've got a caliper windback tool if you need to borrow one ;)

[ianking]

Cheers Johnny. I usually just use a big G clamp and wind it back until the piston goes inside the caliper.

[Craig]

Anyone changed front brake pads yet on an R56.

I have changed front pads on an R50 a couple of years ago.

Its for an R56 CooperD that my neighbour owns. He does a huge amount of miles and the warning light is on all ready. He was quoted lots and lots of pennies by a dealer to fit them so I said I will take a look at it at the weekend for him.

Was just wondering if there were any specific tools that I need or if it is much the same as the R50 set up.


There was an article in Modern MINI a few months back that stated that the brakes on an R56 now are the same as the previous JCW Brakes fitted to R50's and R53's, so I don't see the "design" and "operation" of them being particularly different. ;) :D

maybe a friendly sponsor dealer could advise... oh that's right, they don't logon.... :rolleyes:

[AeroJonny]

Cheers Johnny. I usually just use a big G clamp and wind it back until the piston goes inside the caliper.

More fool me for buying the windback tool;) ...long story

[AndyP & Lenore]

There was an article in Modern MINI a few months back that stated that the brakes on an R56 now are the same as the previous JCW Brakes fitted to R50's and R53's, so I don't see the "design" and "operation" of them being particularly different. ;) :D

maybe a friendly sponsor dealer could advise... oh that's right, they don't logon.... :rolleyes:

I'm pretty sure that is correct, as we are going to put the JCW brakes on our R53, as they are the same as the brakes on the R56 which have a much better feel to them, and they work too.

A.:D

[Gorbash12346]

indeed it is correct i believe the design of them is identical to that of the jcw upgrades for the earlier models

and also identical in design to those on mondeo mk3's etc anyway tools you'll need for doing front pads are.. a 13mm spanner or socket and appropriate ratchet.. a 15mm spanner and a relatively large flat bladed screwdriver.. that is not likely to bend or break too easily
oh and a good torque wrench


Obviously front wheels off
Put the 13mm on the end bolt and on the other side of the leg of the calliper put your 15mm on it and undo... easiest way is to do the bottom one only..
Swing the calliper up and out of the way on the remaining bolt.
Remove the anti rattle shims (there should be new ones with the pads)
Clean out the cavities with brake cleaner and the end of the screwdriver (or a wire brush works just as well)
Insert new anti rattle shims making sure they sit central (there are little legs that sit down into the gaps ofthe calliper carrier then apply a small amount of copper grease or plastilube to the channels the pads sit into
Insert the inner pad only..
Lower the calliper back down and insert the screw driver through the pad inspection gap on the side of where the outer pad should be and slowly and gently lever the calliper against the disc (remember to take the brake fluid reservoir cap off) until the calliper is fully retracted.
Raise the calliper again insert the new outer pad
Using the supplied new bolt from the box of pads (threadlock already applied) refasten securely and bobs yer uncle etc etcthe passenger side front you will need to replace the pad sensor wire... which on the r56 is nowhere near as much of a pain as the previous models

simply cut and bin the old one following the wire up the strut and over to the chassis leg it all unclips easily and follow it in behind the arch liner directly behind the lower left corner of the radiator is the plug (being sure not to mess about with the abs sensor wire which runs the same route but sits into the top of the hub instead of the inner pad. connect new sensor wire route using the grip/clips on the wire insert into new pad (do not force it) and et voila)

oh and don't forget to put your wheels back on :p torque them to 110nm
pump the brake pedal before moving the car anywhere!!! and check your brake fluid hasn't overflowed and replace the cap


if it has overflowed flush it out with plenty of brake cleaner
hope this helps

[ianking]

That is a great right up young man. Many thanks.

Im glad to hear that the sensor wire is much easier on the R56. The R50 was a pain in the rear end. I had to take the plastic inner arch off the last time.
Think this is my Sat job.

How much should my neighbour expect to pay for a set of pads and a sensor.

Ian

[Gorbash12346]

yeah the older models where a complete git and the little strap things were awful

as for the costs i honestly don't know all i know is the snesor wires are quite pricey :( best phoning one of the dealers parts depts and asking.. and then comparing that with whats available from partco or the like

[Gorbash12346]

as for resetting the warning light that might prove a problem not sure if you can reset them from the dash as even with the sensor replaced it will still display it needs a front brake service

[KenL]

He was quoted lots and lots of pennies by a dealer to fit them so I said I will take a look at it at the weekend for him.

How much did the dealer want? Did they want to change the discs as well as the pads?

How many miles has it done?

Ta.

[ianking]

Think its done about 30k and dealer wanted about £250. I would like to think this price included discs but not sure. Wouldnt think it would need discs at 30k.

[KenL]

Think its done about 30k and dealer wanted about £250. I would like to think this price included discs but not sure. Wouldnt think it would need discs at 30k.

I think dealers are at it by insisting that discs need replaced at the same time as pads:(

[Gismo]

It's a typical BMW ploy, they measure the width of the disk and if it falls below THEIR recommended size they advise a replacement.
Sad thing is it would be difficult to obtain a warranty repair if you didn't take their advice

[Big Gordy]

Slightly off topic but how did you get on Alan with your M3 brakes/wheel alignment bill..:eek: :D

[ianking]

My neighbour isnt over worried about warranty as he had to fork out nearly £1000 the other month for a new clutch. BMW would not honour it for him as he is a driving instructor. He tried to tell them that he doesnt allow students to ride the clutch as he takes over with the dual controls but they just said no.

[Craig]

My neighbour isnt over worried about warranty as he had to fork out nearly £1000 the other month for a new clutch. BMW would not honour it for him as he is a driving instructor. He tried to tell them that he doesnt allow students to ride the clutch as he takes over with the dual controls but they just said no.

BMW/MINI humping the loyal customer once again...:eek: :rolleyes: :(

[Gismo]

Slightly off topic but how did you get on Alan with your M3 brakes/wheel alignment bill..:eek: :D
Very much off topic, but it's here (http://www.newminiscotland.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=13584)

[ianking]

I fitted the Pads and the sensor for my neighbour on Sunday. Its an absolute doddle. I cant believe the dealers want to charge so much for it.
I had it all done in just over an hour and that included giving the wheels a damn good cleaning when they were off.

We should start a DIY section on here and folk can put up instructions on things and save everyone money.

[Craig]

I fitted the Pads and the sensor for my neighbour on Sunday. Its an absolute doddle. I cant believe the dealers want to charge so much for it.
I had it all done in just over an hour and that included giving the wheels a damn good cleaning when they were off.

We should start a DIY section on here and folk can put up instructions on things and save everyone money.

aye, but your mate would still have had your bill to pay... :rolleyes: ;) :D

Good idea though re the DIY section, maybe a part of the mods faults and fixes forum.. :cool:

[AndyP & Lenore]

aye, but your mate would still have had your bill to pay... :rolleyes: ;) :D

Good idea though re the DIY section, maybe a part of the mods faults and fixes forum.. :cool:

See new post in Mods Faults & Fixes forum.

A.;)

[ianking]

I didnt want anything for doing it but he insisted on giving me £40. :D

[Craig]

I didnt want anything for doing it but he insisted on giving me £40. :D

That's not a bad hourly rate... :rolleyes: ;) :D

[ianking]

It took an hour for the brakes but I ended up taking the back wheels off as well to clean them all up so that they matched the front, cleaned all under the arches as well and washed the car. Dressed the tyres and the exterior plastics.

[KenL]

We should start a DIY section on here and folk can put up instructions on things and save everyone money.

Either that, or people could advertise their services fir a modest fee.

Perhaps a donation could also be made to NMS if we used a member to do a job :)

[ianking]

Yeah im happy to do folks brake pads, bumpers, side skirts, radios, speakers etc for a stipend

[Sheilz]

I'd be more than happy to pay a fair stipend for someone to put on my new discs and brake pads. Warning light came on for my pads two days ago. Car still stopping fine but with the mileage I do not a good idea to delay.
Anybody in Abz? Any offers? :D

[Gorbash12346]

It's a typical BMW ploy, they measure the width of the disk and if it falls below THEIR recommended size they advise a replacement.
Sad thing is it would be difficult to obtain a warranty repair if you didn't take their advice

the minimum thickness is there for a reason as the structural integrity of the disc is not high enough this is why you hear of old cars brake discs disintegrating when someone stamps on the brakes and also it has an adverse effect on heat dissipation away from the disc meaning more chance of brake fade..

[Gorbash12346]

i can't advertise myself......... even if i am skint:(

[Gismo]

Either that, or people could advertise their services fir a modest fee.

Perhaps a donation could also be made to NMS if we used a member to do a job :)
An excellent idea, but kinda goes against the ethics of a helpful site, apart from the closeness of commercial advertising the act of actually offering to help someone by charging a fee goes against what NMS is all about.
I would rather help/do to change someones disks and pads than to post up that i would do it for 20 quid or whatever.
However, mostly folks will be offered something after they have done the work, as in Ian's case, which is fair enough :)
I'm not wanting to knock the offer of making a donation to NMS ;)

Apart from the close connection to commercial advertising my comments are made from a members point of view, not as a mod :)

And Sheilz, if i was at home i would offer to change your disks and pads

[Gismo]

the minimum thickness is there for a reason as the structural integrity of the disc is not high enough this is why you hear of old cars brake discs disintegrating when someone stamps on the brakes and also it has an adverse effect on heat dissipation away from the disc meaning more chance of brake fade..
I don't disagree, however, all engineering tolerances allow a certain saftey factor and i reckon that my M3 disks were within that spec, but not BMW's therefore allowing them to advise replacement.
Had i not been needing 2 front tyres and a full KDS i would have changed them myself

[Sheilz]

And Sheilz, if i was at home i would offer to change your disks and pads

Thanks BS. That's a very kind offer however with the brake pad light on I felt that it was a job that needed done sooner rather than later so got them on this morning at a very helpful garage in Bridge of Don. Cost me £50 but think that's still a lot cheaper than JC. Daftie me though didn't think to buy new sensors so warning light still on. Replacement sensors can wait till after pay day! My wee chap has cost me an arm and a leg this month. Am caa'ing canny till the discs and pads have bedded in. Am quite interested to see if there is a noticeable difference. Chap also put on the rubber bracket I'd to get replaced for holding the back box coz the original split when the old exhaust came off.
:D:D:D:D