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Member ID: bimmerbabe

Location: seattle area, Washington

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1999 BMW 7-Series

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Question: Should I keep the calipers on my new brembo brakes red or put the black ones on (see page 8)?

Last updated: Jul 21, 2003

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Bimmer Babe’s BMW 7-Series

  • Currently 2.5/5 Stars.
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We recently did the brakes on one of our friend's E38 and decided to document it here in case anyone wants to save some money and do it themselves.

How to Change BMW Disk Brakes

Some things you'll need to do the job:

1. 7mm allen wrench

2. 6mm allen wrench

3. 15mm socket wrench

4. 16mm socket wrench

5. 5" C-clamp (or larger)

6. torque wrench

7. flathead screwdriver

8. needle nose pliers

9. piece of wire for tying caliper to springs

10. spray can of brake parts cleaner (the cheapest one you can find will do just fine)

11. breaker bar/cheater bar if you don't have pneumatic tools (a foot-long pipe or the handle from your floor jack will do fine)

12. hammer (if needed)

Instructions for front brakes:

Pictures shown here are of the driver's side front. The passenger side front is identical except that you may skip the step regarding the brake wear sensor.

1. Make sure key is in position 1 and the steering wheel isn't locked.

2. Jack up car and remove wheel. Jacking up both front wheels and putting them on jack stands will allow you to turn the wheel with your hand. This will help make the job easier.

3. Pry off anti-rattle clip with a flathead screwdriver.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 32

4. Remove brake wear sensor with pliers. It may be necessary to pry the brake pads open (away from rotor) to do this.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 33 bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 34

5. Remove dust caps (2) for the caliper guide bolts. It's where the screwdriver is pointing to in pictures below.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 35 bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 36

6. Use a 7mm allen wrench to remove the 2 guide bolts (upper and lower). See picture of guide bolts below.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 37 bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 38
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 39

7. At this point, the sliding portion of the caliper should slide right off. Be sure to use a piece of wire to tie the caliper halves to the car's spring as to not stress the brake line.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 40

NOTE: DON'T let your pads run this low!!
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 41

8. Remove both of the 16mm caliper bracket bolts. At this point the caliper bracket should come off.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 42 bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 43

9. Use 6mm allen wrench to remove rotor locator screw. Rotor should come off at this point. If the rotor is seized onto the hub, use a hammer to beat the $h!t out of it. :)

NOTE: When hammering, be careful not to hit the center ring that juts out! You should hit the area where the lug holes are.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 45 bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 46

10. Install new rotor using same steps as removal but in reverse. Use brake parts cleaner to ensure there's no grease on rotor's surface. Use shop towels to wipe calipers clean.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 47

11. Open brake fluid reservoir (under the hood) to allow excess brake fluid to escape during next step.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 48

12. Use 5" C-clamp to compress caliper piston to the fully open position. Then remove C-clamp.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 49

13. Use anti-squeal lube to all contact parts between caliper and pads. I usually use the one from BMW.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 50 bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 51

14. Replace caliper bracket using the same steps as removal in reverse. Tighten to about 80 ft/lbs of torque or higher.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 52

15. Install new pads on caliper, the inside pad first.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 53 bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 54

16. Undo wire and slide caliper back in to bracket. Slide caliper with pads attached onto rotor.

17. Hand-tighten the 7mm guide bolts. Be careful not to cross-thread these bolts! These bolts are much harder than the caliper, so it is easy to damage the threads on the caliper if you are not careful!
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 55

18. Reinsert dust caps.

19. Replace brake wear sensor using same steps as removal in reverse.

NOTE: If your sensor(s) are not broken, you may reuse them. If they are, you will need to unplug them from their harness and install a new one.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 56

20. Replace anti-rattle clip.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 57

21. Replace wheel and torque to about 95 ft/lbs (between 80 and 100 ft/lbs).

22. Make sure to recap the brake reservoir.

Instructions for rear brakes:

Pictures shown are of the passenger's side rear. Driver's side rear is identical except that you may skip the steps regarding the brake wear sensor.

1. Jack up car to remove wheel. Since you can't move the rear wheels, you can just jack up one side at a time if you want.

2. Pry off the anti-rattle clip.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 58

3. Use the same procedure as for front brakes. Again, use hammer if needed. :)
Be SURE that parking brake is NOT ENGAGED; otherwise the rotor will NEVER come off!!!
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 59 bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 60

ATTENTION: Caliper retaining bolt for the rears are 15mm instead of 16mm

NOTE: Emergency brakes are inside the rear rotors. There are 2 E-brake shoes. If you want to change them, now is the time to do it.
bimmerbabe's 1999 BMW 7-Series seattle area, WA Customized with Racing Dynamics Wheels, Nitto Tires, Brembo Brakes - 61

4. Reinstall all other components in the same steps as removal in reverse. Remember, extra parts/screws are NOT OKAY when servicing brakes!! :)


Page 1: Intro and Initial Upgrades

Page 2: 20" Racing Dynmics Wheels, Brembo Brakes, Monochromatic Badges

Page 3: Audio/Visual Upgrades
Page 4: Recaro Child Seats
Page 5: How to Change BMW Disk Brakes
Page 6: Dinan Cold Air Intake Install

Page 7: Camera Mount From UFMotorsport

Page 8: Brembo Big Brake Kit For My Birthday!

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Vehicle Owner

Member ID: bimmerbabe

Location: seattle area, Washington