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FCP Euro Service Kits

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The condition of the BMW F30 rear brake pads and rotors is critical. Without them, you're a liability to yourself and everyone around you. BMW builds all of its models as performance luxury sedans, and the brakes play a critical part in their development. The single-piston sliding calipers BMW uses are simple and easy to work on, making a brake service a good choice for a DIYer. 

On all cars, the brakes will be larger at the front to prevent the rear of the car from slowing quicker than the front, causing you to lose control. The reduced force applied to them means they will last longer than the fronts but are just as critical to stopping performance. Modern disc brakes are cheap, reliable, and easy to maintain. Replacing the pads and rotors is a job anyone can accomplish with simple hand tools and an afternoon. Follow along with the DIY to understand just what it takes to service your rear brakes.

 

BMW models and years applicable:

This DIY applies to numerous BMWs extending further than just the F30. The DIY includes the 2-series, 3-series, and 4-series models. 

 

Symptoms of worn BMW F30 rear brake pads and rotors:

  • A grinding coming from the front, under braking
  • Juddering or a vibration coming from the front, under braking
  • Deep grooves on the rotor surface
  • Dark-colored deposits on the rotor surface
  • The vehicle's steering pulling to one side, under braking

 All disc brake systems have a front bias, meaning that the front brakes do most of the braking. Their increased braking responsibility will lead to more frequent replacement intervals when compared to the rears. However, driving with excessively worn rear brakes still creates reduced stopping ability.

Once the brake pad material is completely worn away, the pad's metal backing plates are forced against the rotor, destroying it. You'll hear an intense grinding noise under braking when this happens. Additionally, metal shavings will come off of the rotors and cover your wheels. If these shavings get wet, they'll coat your wheel in rust. 

 

How long will it take to change BMW F30 rear brake pads and rotors?

The service length will depend on what you choose to do. Replacing the pads and rotors is a straightforward process that doesn't require removing and reinstalling too many parts. This part of the job should take 30 minutes per corner. 

 

How much will it cost to change BMW F30 rear brake pads and rotors?

You'll need new rotors, pads, and a new pad wear sensor to service the rear brakes on your F30. The pad set used in this DIY is a ceramic set from TRW. These pads are designed with good initial bite and low dust properties and will run you around $50. Additionally, the Zimmermann rear rotors go for approximately $50 apiece. Lastly, the replacement pad wear sensor will cost about $20. Altogether, budget $180 for all of the parts required for this DIY. 

 

Parts required to change BMW F30 rear brake pads and rotors:

 

Tools required to change BMW F30 rear brake pads and rotors:

 

Steps required to change the rear pads and rotors on a BMW F30:

Step 1: Remove the caliper from its bracket

Jack up the front of the car and place it onto jack stands. Then, use a 17mm socket to remove the lug bolts so you can remove the wheel.

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service removing the calipers anti-rattle clip

First, remove the anti-rattle clip from the front of the caliper. Push the bottom of the clip away from the hub and use a screwdriver to pry the top of the clip away from the caliper. Next, use a 6mm hex bit socket to remove the set screw from the rotor. Ensure that the bit is fully inserted into the screw to prevent it from being stripped.

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service removing the rotor's set screw

After that, remove the dust caps from the caliper pins with a flathead screwdriver. Then, use an 8mm hex bit socket to remove the guide pins.

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service removing the caliper's dust caps

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service removing the caliper's guide pins

Pull the caliper away from the car to depress the piston. Doing this will create space between the pads and the rotor, allowing you to pull the caliper off more easily. When you remove the caliper, don't let it hang by its brake line. The caliper's weight will put a significant strain on the rubber line and can cause it to tear. You can use zip-tires, wire coat hangers, or the caliper hangers linked above, among other things, to hang the caliper out of the way.

The driver's side caliper will have the pad wear sensor connected to the inboard pad. Disconnect it before pulling the caliper off of the bracket.

 

Step 2: Replace the rotor

Use a 16mm socket to remove the caliper bracket's mounting bolts. 

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service removing the caliper bracket bolts

Remove the bracket from the knuckle and then pull the rotor off the wheel hub. If corrosion is present on the hub, you may have a hard time removing the rotor. Hit the rotor with a hammer to break the rotor free of corrosion. 

Use a steel bristle brush or a wire wheel to remove as much rust and corrosion as you can from the hub's mating surface and from the caliper bracket. Clean surfaces will ensure that fitting the new brake components goes smoothly. 

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service cleaning the caliper bracket

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service compressing the caliper

Next, fit the new brake rotor to the hub and secure it in place with the set screw. Thread in the screw with the socket by hand before using the ratchet to tighten it down. 

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service threading in the set screw

Lastly, refit the caliper bracket to the knuckle. Thread in both of the bolts by hand before tightening them with a 16mm socket. Torque the bolts to 50Nm, plus another 90° of rotation. 

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service torquing the caliper bracket bolts

 

Step 3: Refit the caliper and install the new pads

First, remove the old inner pad from the caliper if you haven't done so already. Otherwise, take the new pad wear sensor and press it into the top of the new inner pad. Route the wire through the top of the caliper. Then, press the new rear pad into the caliper.  

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service routing the pad wire through the caliper

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service installing the inner pad

The tangs on the back of the inner brake pad slide into the caliper's piston. Then, place the outer pad into the caliper bracket against the rotor.

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service placing the outer pad in the bracket

With the outer pad in place, fit the caliper over the rotor and into the bracket. Thread in its guide pins to secure it in position. Use an 8mm hex bit socket to torque the guide pins to 28Nm.

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service guide pin torque specs

Lastly, reinstall the anti-rattle clip to the outside of the caliper. Set the clip's ears on the bracket and push up with your thumbs to get the clip set into the holes in the caliper. 

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service refitting the anti-rattle clip

 

Step 4: Hook up the new pad wear sensor

The pad wear sensor connects to a small junction box behind the fender liner in the wheel well. Use a 10mm socket to remove the nut securing the fender liner to the chassis. 

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service removing the fender liner nut

DIY BMW F30 Rear Brake Service pad wear sensor connection

Pull the connection out of the box and unplug the old sensor. Note how the wire is routed around the suspension and copy that with the new sensor wire. The wire should run through the bleeder screw cap, over the control arm to a bracket with the abs sensor wire on it, and then up to the junction box.

Connect the new sensor and place the connection back in the box. Fold the fender liner back over the box and thread on the nut securing it in place. Use a 10mm socket to tighten it. Lastly, refit the wheel and thread in the wheel bolts with a 17mm socket. Torque the bolts to 120Nm.

 

BMW F30 Rear Brake Torque Specs:

  • BMW Caliper Bracket Bolts = 50Nm or 37 ft-lbs, of torque plus 90°
  • BMW Caliper Guide Pins = 28Nm or 12 ft-lbs, of torque
  • BMW Lug Bolt Torque = 120Nm or 89 ft-lbs, of torque

Now that your rear brake pads and rotors have been replaced, you can get back to safely driving your vehicle on public roads. If you're interested in more DIYs for your BMW, you can visit bmw.fcpeuro.com and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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Written by :
Christian Schaefer

Car and motorsports-obsessed writer/editor for FCP Euro's DIY Blog. Constantly dreaming of competing behind the wheel or searching for another project. Owner of a turbo Subaru Forester and a ratty Porsche 914, neither of which are running.


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