W212 E63 DIY Rear brake pad change.

[AMGeed]

After receiving my Powerstop Z16 Ceramic brake pads from Rock Auto in the US in record time (6 days) I fitted them this morning.




The o/s/r has the wear sensor so tackled that one first. Had to disconnect the wear sensor from the back of the caliper first, then knocked the pins through and pulled out the outer pad with ease, but the inner one was jammed tight and took almost an hour to remove tapping it, levering on it and finally wiggling it free. It looked like a big build up of brake dust was preventing the pad just sliding out the the other one. Anyway, greased the rear of the pads and the leading edges with Textar ceratic brake grease and they fitted perfectly. It was a bit of a struggle getting the retaining stainless clip in place and knocking the two pins in from the back of the caliper. Finally did the o/s in 1hr 45 minutes. Very slow.
I did tap the lower pin further after taking the photo.




Checked the fluid level (yes I'd opened the cap and ensure pushing back the pads hadn't pushed brake fluid out the top) and started on the n/s/r.
Went like clockwork after the problems with the first set and had these fitted in around 20 minutes start to finish. Had to remove a bit of fluid from the reservoir this time.
Started the car, no warning lights for brake wear, checked fluid and all is well.

The instructions on the box for these pads recommend bedding them in using " 30x 30mph - 5mph hard stops with 15 second intervals to dissipate heat" Took the car for a short run to check operation was OK and I'll do the stops tomorrow on a quiet industrial estate road.



So its a fairly straightforward job for any DIY er with basic skills. As always with brakes, if in doubt, leave it to the experts.
Time will tell if these ceramic pads do what they say and reduce brake dust, the main reason for not going OEM pads.
The front TRW ceramic pads have been brilliant for lack of dust. A London trip last week saw no dust at all deposited on the alloys.
I do recommend them.



One pic of worn out OEM pads.

 

[Dean Fletcher]

After receiving my Powerstop Z16 Ceramic brake pads from Rock Auto in the US in record time (6 days) I fitted them this morning.

View attachment 70835


The o/s/r has the wear sensor so tackled that one first. Had to disconnect the wear sensor from the back of the caliper first, then knocked the pins through and pulled out the outer pad with ease, but the inner one was jammed tight and took almost an hour to remove tapping it, levering on it and finally wiggling it free. It looked like a big build up of brake dust was preventing the pad just sliding out the the other one. Anyway, greased the rear of the pads and the leading edges with Textar ceratic brake grease and they fitted perfectly. It was a bit of a struggle getting the retaining stainless clip in place and knocking the two pins in from the back of the caliper. Finally did the o/s in 1hr 45 minutes. Very slow.
I did tap the lower pin further after taking the photo.

View attachment 70836


Checked the fluid level (yes I'd opened the cap and ensure pushing back the pads hadn't pushed brake fluid out the top) and started on the n/s/r.
Went like clockwork after the problems with the first set and had these fitted in around 20 minutes start to finish. Had to remove a bit of fluid from the reservoir this time.
Started the car, no warning lights for brake wear, checked fluid and all is well.

The instructions on the box for these pads recommend bedding them in using " 30x 30mph - 5mph hard stops with 15 second intervals to dissipate heat" Took the car for a short run to check operation was OK and I'll do the stops tomorrow on a quiet industrial estate road.
View attachment 70837


So its a fairly straightforward job for any DIY er with basic skills. As always with brakes, if in doubt, leave it to the experts.
Time will tell if these ceramic pads do what they say and reduce brake dust, the main reason for not going OEM pads.
The front TRW ceramic pads have been brilliant for lack of dust. A London trip last week saw no dust at all deposited on the alloys.
I do recommend them.

View attachment 70838

One pic of worn out OEM pads.
View attachment 70839

Good job well done

 

[anyweb]

nice job, but if it was mine i'd clean the steel clips holding the brake pads in too, they come up very nicely when cleaned

 

[AMGeed]

nice job, but if it was mine i'd clean the steel clips holding the brake pads in too, they come up very nicely when cleaned

I agree. I did rush the job a bit so I could catch the F1 on TV.
I may yet buy a set of new pins and clips and replace what is fitted.

 

[anyweb]

oh and don't shoot me, i'd also wash and clean the shocks behind, they look great when they are clean, i guess it's an OCD thing...

 

[DREAMER NO2]

All brake pads should slide in and out easy inside the calipers . Any binding must be rectified with a smooth file same with the metal on the disc pads ..Remove any sharp edges that stick out with a file .Also file leading edge of the pad material .Also copper grease the disc pad retaining pins, important - but not the expanding barrel shaped clip that grips inside calipers to hold them in place

 

[AMGeed]

All brake pads should slide in and out easy inside the calipers .

The new ones were a perfect fit and slid in and out easily.

Any binding must be rectified with a smooth file same with the metal on the disc pads ..Remove any sharp edges that stick out with a file .Also file leading edge of the pad material

No binding at all, unlike the Brembo pads fitted to my E55. The leading edge of the pads were pre chamfered so no filing necessary.

.Also copper grease the disc pad retaining pins, important - but not the expanding barrel shaped clip that grips inside calipers to hold them in place

Textar brake grease used on all the pins after cleaning with brake cleaner and a wire brush. Greasing the stainless steel clip serves no purpose and wasn't greased.

Been driving since last Friday with the ceramic pads and there isn't a drop of dust to be seen on either the new rears or the usually heavy dust coated fronts. One of the best changes you can make to upgrade to ceramic pads IMO.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Amgeed i dont know why i posted this up ...You know all this about the calipers,, just the same as i do by now . Good post i will think about ceramic but as it is., i won a set of front EBC Green Stuf brake pads when i was on the forum in usa , so now i have had to purchased new discs and pads for the rear , just need front disc now for the front so i can start the job .

 

[AMGeed]

Amgeed i dont know why i posted this up ...You know all this about the calipers,, just the same as i do by now . Good post i will think about ceramic but as it is., i won a set of front EBC Green Stuf brake pads when i was on the forum in usa , so now i have had to purchased new discs and pads for the rear , just need front disc now for the front so i can start the job .

Front and rear discs and pads will keep you busy for a day anyway.
Let us know how the EBC Green pads perform when you've fitted them.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

AMGeed I wont be doing the swap till next year ...My mot is due next month, and i dont want to upset the apple cart . Brakes or fine at the moment .,but if i play around with them who knnows what might happen ..You know how it is, start on one job ,and end up with 2 more. I was not planing on changing them .But after winning the front set i need the other brake parts to go with them ---wish i had not wone them haha