[UA_civ_eng]

I wanted to post a clear, easy to follow how-to for replacing the rear brake rotors and pads on the F10 550i. I have seen other threads on the topic, but there is conflicting information and it is all very spread out throughout the thread. Attached to this post are documents that may or may not be from the ISTA/D (Rheingold) software. I added notes (red text) in the PDFs where necessary since obviously the blue links are not clickable. Also attached are photos showing how I retracted the pistons since I do not have the BMW “special tool.” My car is a 2011 550i with M-Sport package, but I would imagine this is the same procedure for all F10s. I used Centric brand Series 100 pads on the resurfaced OE rotors. The Centric pads are advertised to and look identical to the OE Jurid pads. How to reset the condition-based-service reminder can be found on YouTube. To top things off for everybody, the software specifies 100 ft*lbs for wheel bolt torques. Enjoy, and let me know if any other info is needed!

Pad Sensor: Our cars use one sensor for the rear, located on the inside pad of the right rear brake assembly. As mentioned in the attached documents, the brake pad sensor does get worn down with the pads after a certain point. If you change your pads before the sensor gets any wear, then you don't have to change it. However, that wouldn't make too much sense, because that would mean you have several thousand miles left on the pads. The sensor is a simple swap out. Trace the wire up to where the connector is, disconnect it, and install the new one.

[lsturbointeg]

i went through the PDF's but maybe i missed it but what about the issue with the rear parking brake issue everyone is having? i'll re-read it again tho

this is the issue i'm referring to as i went back to the other threads:

The F10 uses a electrical brake unit to engage the parking brakes

This electrical unit needs to be retracted using the BMW computer system (ISTA) in the workshop to replace the rear brakes and it must then be put into a new mode to learn the new pads.

I dont believe this is required for the front brakes

[lsturbointeg]

nevermind, i haven't been on the DIY brake for awhile since that last time i looked there was no way of doing it but now it has so

[UA_civ_eng]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

nevermind, i haven't been on the DIY brake for awhile since that last time i looked there was no way of doing it but now it has so

Yes, the part that I take off in the Piston Retraction document is the parking brake actuator. Any info that people tell me of that I left out, I will add to my initial post so that way everything is right there at the top for DIYers.

In a month or two, I should also be tackling the front pads and rotors, so I will put up the how-to for those also.

[lsturbointeg]

AWESOME!

[EL Jeffe 5]

This is Gr8 Thanks

[Supreme214]

do you have to ENGAGE parking brake before retraction??

[UA_civ_eng]

Originally Posted by Supreme214

do you have to ENGAGE parking brake before retraction??

I did the entire job with the parking brake disengaged.

[Supreme214]

Originally Posted by UA_civ_eng

I did the entire job with the parking brake disengaged.

Great thank you!!
and 1 more question..do you know the torque specs for the caliper guide bolts???? i've been searching around and couldn't find it.....

[UA_civ_eng]

Originally Posted by Supreme214

Great thank you!!
and 1 more question..do you know the torque specs for the caliper guide bolts???? i've been searching around and couldn't find it.....

It's in the brake pad document. 25.8 ft*lbs

[Supreme214]

Originally Posted by UA_civ_eng

It's in the brake pad document. 25.8 ft*lbs

Thank YOU!!!!

[fm725fm]

Found this on youtube. Might do it soon

[Gaboose]

These PDFs were an incredible help - thank you! Any chance you have one that covers replacement of the front upper control arms on an F10? I've seen the video on BAVauto for the prior generation, and it looks like the procedure's about the same. What I'm really interested in finding out, though, is the torque specs for all of the nuts that need to be loosened and/or replaced in that procedure.

[UA_civ_eng]

Originally Posted by Gaboose

These PDFs were an incredible help - thank you! Any chance you have one that covers replacement of the front upper control arms on an F10? I've seen the video on BAVauto for the prior generation, and it looks like the procedure's about the same. What I'm really interested in finding out, though, is the torque specs for all of the nuts that need to be loosened and/or replaced in that procedure.

Glad I could help. Honestly, it takes me a while to get the documents into PDFs. Search this forum and bimmerfest for ISTA/D though. I was able to find and install it and I am not a computer pro.

[trevor56]

Thanks for this post UA_civ_eng

Just 1 question on the first attachment explaining minimum disc brake thickness. If my disc brake is 345 x 24, the minimum thickness would be 345 X 24 - 2.4 = 8277.6 mml?

So anything below 8277.6 would mean I need to replace my disc's?

Am I understanding this correctly? thanks

[UA_civ_eng]

Originally Posted by trevor56

Thanks for this post UA_civ_eng

Just 1 question on the first attachment explaining minimum disc brake thickness. If my disc brake is 345 x 24, the minimum thickness would be 345 X 24 - 2.4 = 8277.6 mml?

So anything below 8277.6 would mean I need to replace my disc's?

Am I understanding this correctly? thanks

345 is your rotor diameter. 24 mm is your rotor thickness when new. Your rotors would need to be replaced when they hit 21.6 mm (24-2.4=21.6)

[trevor56]

Originally Posted by UA_civ_eng

345 is your rotor diameter. 24 mm is your rotor thickness when new. Your rotors would need to be replaced when they hit 21.6 mm (24-2.4=21.6)

LOL, I wasn't even close!

Thanks for the answer UA_civ_eng

[trevor56]

I will soon be doing a DIY brake job & need to know the correct size Triple Square bit to remove the parking brake actuator mounting screws & the proper sized Triple Square bit to retract the parking brake piston? I know I could likely get away with using a T30 & T45 Torx bit for the job but I would feel safer using the proper Triple Square bits. I don't want to take a chance rounding off any bolts. If anyone has a service manual & could look up the proper sizes it would be greatly appreciated!

The link below at the 3:36 mark shows the mounting bolts I need to remove & at the 4:20 mark shows the retraction of the parking brake piston. Even though he used a Torx bit for both procedures, those bolts are actually Triple Square bolts.

Thanks

[trevor56]

OK, so all the parts are on order & hopefully within days I can tackle this DIY brake job. Never done one before so this is all new. One more question I have (hopefully last question) is exactly where do I place the car jack stand under the car once I jack the car up? thanks

PS: A picture would be worth a thousand words.

[trevor56]

Job is done, thanks for tips!

[Charter23]

Are the attachments gone or am I missing something?

[07e92]

the 2 videos are very helpful, i was able to get this done today in approx. 2 hours (pads + sensor). while it is not necessary, i decided to use the bmw rheingold (got it from this forum a while back) to activate and diactivate the workshop mode against the electronic parking brake actuators (Service Functions", "Chassis", "Parking Brake", "Servicemode / Workshop-Mode"); that probably saved me 20-30 mins time on disassembling and assembling the parking brake actuators on both sides.