Brake Linings

[PhilT]

Hey everyone

Just got the 'Check Brake Linings' message come up in the Check Control display so i reckon some or all of my brake pads need replacing (and the sensor I guess). Well they do say it comes in three's - battery getting a bit weak, airbag light on & now brake pads - merry christmas

As this is my first 4x4 I'm unsure if the braking bias etc. is different to 2 wheel drive cars so have a couple of questions for you more informed/experienced lot :

Is it most likely to be the front pads or could it be either/both?
Is there a protocol with 4x4's where you should replace all 4 sets of pads or are you OK just replacing fronts for example?
Is it an easy DIY job (as easy as replacing pads on any other car)?
Does anyone recommend a particular brand - mintex etc.?

Cheers for any help/advice.

[petert]

If you have the warning light up then check the front discs as well - Right hand drive E53 has a slight reputation of wearing down the drivers side disc before/just as the warning light comes on and of course discs have to be replaced in pairs: not cheap.

As I understand it not a difficult DIY job (though I've not done it on an X5) and rears usually last longer than fronts - but happy to be corrected by more experienced X5 DIYer.

Peter T

[gobiman]

I replaced my pads about a year ago. I was getting hacked off with the amount of brake dust on the wheels and didn't particularly fancy cleaning them every weekend. After reading various recommendations on the old forum I went for Axxis brake pads which I sourced through a firm in the US - www.zeckhausen.com
Bit of a performance getting them (I had them delivered to a friend in NYC) but well worth the effort. Same performance as OEM pads but no brake dust.
Not sure whether the same (or similar) are still available but may be worth a call.

[thedweeb]

Could be either front or back,you will need to check. The wear sensors are fitted to the front left and rear right wheels. Dont make the mistake and only check the outside pad looking thro' the wheel,as the X5 is known for wearing the inside pad quicker. As for changing them, if you've done them on a car before then you wont have aproblem. As for Pads I put Mintex in mine the last time but you do get alot of brake dust but other than that they are fine.

Cheers Dweeb

[PhilT]

Cheers for the replies,

How do the red warning light & Check Control warning get cleared - does fitting a new sensor clear these automatically or do they need resetting somehow?

[pvr]

No reset required, new sensor will take care of that.

I replaced the brakepads (all 4 sides) at the same time, 15 minutes per wheel including cleaning the wheel. Getting the car jacked high enough to get the wheels off was another matter

I went for the Axxis pads for the dust free element, they are excellent.

[g60renshaw]

Seem pretty cheap here

http://www.ca-at.co.uk/single_prod-cHJv ... yNjM5.html

3.0d, 3.0i, 4.4i FRONT PADS AXXIS 63-213-0681 Deluxe Advanced Street Pads £85.35
63-223-0681 ULT Street Pads £117.26
POSIQUIET 63-104-0681 Ceramic Pads £73.45
PAGID E2683 RS19 / RS29 £231.27
REAR PADS AXXIS 63-213-0683 Deluxe Advanced Street Pads £43.06
63-223-0683 ULT Street Pads £64.58
POSIQUIET 63-104-0683 Ceramic Pads £51.94
PAGID E2685 RS19 / RS29 £187.40
4.6is, 4.8is FRONT PADS AXXIS 63-213-0920 Deluxe Advanced Street Pads £83.13
63-223-0920 ULT Street Pads £109.84
POSIQUIET 63-106-0920 Extended Wear Pads £66.03
REAR PADS AXXIS 63-213-0683 Deluxe Advanced Street Pads £50.48
63-223-0683 ULT Street Pads £64.58
POSIQUIET 63-104-0683 Ceramic Pads £51.94



Jay

[pvr]

Hmm, I paid £50 direct import from the US and not stung for customs either that time. That was for front AND rear together, but is a couple of years back now when the USD was 2:1.

[gobiman]

Jay,
Good spot for the CA website and useful info. I now know I can get them over here when I need replacements!
I persuaded a friend to bring them back from the US for me last time but they were rather heavier than I thought so a repeat performance would not be popular.
Many thanks!

[X5Sport]

So who's brake discs & pads do people tend to go for?

OEM, Mintex, EBC, Ferodo (if they make any)? Brake parts are one of the few components of a car that I have always considered 'Mission Critical', especially given I'm trying to stop 2 tonnes of vehicle, and I am very wary of buying if I don't know the manufacturer.

There do not seem to be many options for the X5s (at least my searches are not finding a wide choice) and it would be useful to know what people have used and what was good or not so good etc. I suppose my main priorities are good stopping power, good service life (current ones are originals at 46,000 miles), and minimal brake dust - but without wrecking the discs. The front discs had a caution at the MoT this year and do look a little corroded so they will in all likelihood need doing, in which case do I buy a matched set from someone like EBC? Brembo kits look great, but at their proces, not that great and they really would have to make a huge difference to be worth it.

Thoughts from the assembled knowledgebase here................

[Jamie_E53]

Hi guys, bit of a thread revival but saves on making another the same. Had a search Re: check brake linings warning on the dash. I'm going to replace pads all round and disks if necessary. Reading between the lines of this thread would I be right in assuming I only require 2x break level sensors for the full car? I will buy the parts and have them fitted at a mates garage, just making sure before I go ahead and order.

Thanks in advance

[fenj66]

thats correct, only two pad level sensors, front right and rear left (or even vice versa!) but if youre not getting any warnings on the dash there probably fine to re use. 

[Jamie_E53]

Thanks fenj66, the warning is coming up on the dash so I will replace them both so as not to get the wrong one, its cheap enough to do anyway. Cheers again

[Sanj]

Plus they can snap when you try to take them out. Easy to replace - CarParts4Less is a good source for pads and sensors. Get yourself logged in, place something in the basket and DON'T buy for a day or so and they will send you a further 7.5% code.  ;D

[AVI-8]

[quote="X5Sport"]
So who's brake discs & pads do people tend to go for?

OEM, Mintex, EBC, Ferodo (if they make any)?  Brake parts are one of the few components of a car that I have always considered 'Mission Critical', especially given I'm trying to stop 2 tonnes of vehicle, and I am very wary of buying if I don't know the manufacturer.

There do not seem to be many options for the X5s (at least my searches are not finding a wide choice) and it would be useful to know what people have used and what was good or not so good etc.  I suppose my main priorities are good stopping power, good service life (current ones are originals at 46,000 miles), and minimal brake dust - but without wrecking the discs.  The front discs had a caution at the MoT this year and do look a little corroded so they will in all likelihood need doing, in which case do I buy a matched set from someone like EBC?  Brembo kits look great, but at their proces, not that great and they really would have to make a huge difference to be worth it.

Thoughts from the assembled knowledgebase here................ <!-- s:) -->:)<!-- s:) -->
[/quote]

I've recently changed my discs and pads, I've used Meyle components on several cars for brakes and suspension over the years,  Always found them to be top German quality, A set of front discs pads and sensor is £109 on eBay, £114 for the same on the rear. Someone else mentioned Pagids, I haven't tried them on my X5 though I've got them on my 911, lots of brake dust from them.