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How to Replace Rear Brakes 2004-13 BMW 325 Ci

Created on: 2019-08-01

Check out this 1A Auto video to learn how to change and service the rear brakes on your 04-13 BMW 3 Series!

  1. step 1 :Removing the Wheel
    • Loosen the 17mm lug bolts with the vehicle on the ground
    • Raise the vehicle with a floor jack
    • Secure the vehicle on jack stands
    • Remove the lug nuts
    • Remove the wheel
  2. step 2 :Removing the Rear Brakes
    • Remove the bleeder screw cover, and loosen, then close, the bleeder screw to make sure it's not stuck or damaged
    • Remove the two caliper slider covers
    • Remove the two 7 mm hex slider bolts
    • Pry off the outer brake pad retaining clip
    • Pry off the brake caliper
    • Remove the two brake pads
    • Open the bleeder screw
    • Compress the brake piston with a clamp or compression tool
    • Close the bleeder screw
    • Remove the two 16 mm caliper bracket bolts
    • Remove the 6 mm hex rotor retaining bolt
    • Remove the brake rotor
    • You can hammer around the hat of the rotor to loosen rust, if necessary
  3. step 3 :Servicing the Rear Brakes
    • Inspect and clean the parking brake shoes and hardware using brake parts cleaner
    • Clean the wheel hub using brake parts cleaner and a wire brush
    • Clean the brake pad grooves in the brake caliper bracket
    • Apply anti-seize to the wheel hub
  4. step 4 :Installing the Rear Brakes
    • Loosen the parking brake shoes using the star wheel on the adjuster
    • Install the brake rotor
    • Adjust the parking brake shoes through the access hole in the rotor until there is minimal drag on the rotor
    • Install the 6 mm hex rotor retaining screw
    • Install the brake caliper bracket with the two 16 mm bolts
    • Torque the two 16 mm bolts to 49 ft-lb
    • Apply brake grease to the rear of the piston side pad, only where the piston will contact the pad
    • Install the outer pad directly into the caliper bracket
    • Apply brake grease to the inside of the slider bolt boots
    • Apply brake grease to the caliper slider bolts
    • If you need to replace the brake pad wear sensor see the later step
    • Install the caliper
    • Install the 7 mm hex caliper slider bolts
    • Torque 7 mm hex caliper slider bolts to 22 ft-lb
    • Reinstall the caliper slider bolt covers
    • Reinstall the outer brake pad retaining clip
    • Open the bleeder screw to gravity bleed the brake fluid until it flows in a steady stream
    • Close the brake bleeder screw cover
  5. step 5 :Replacing the Brake Pad Wear Sensor - Passenger Side Only
    • Open the wiring junction box inside the wheel well
    • Disconnect the black electrical connector
    • Pry the wiring from the retaining clips along the wire to the caliper
    • Remove the inner brake pad from the piston
    • Remove the sensor from the brake pad
    • Insert the sensor into the groove in the inner brake pad with the dimple facing the rotor surface
    • Run the wire out the opening in the brake caliper, along the control arm, and back to the junction box
    • Reconnect the electrical connector
    • Reposition the wire into the retaining clips along the length of the wire
  6. step 6 :Installing the Wheel
    • Slide the wheel into place
    • Start the 17mm lug bolts by hand
    • Tighten the lug bolts preliminarily
    • Lower the vehicle partially to the ground
    • Tighten the lug bolts to 95 foot-pounds in a crossing or star pattern
    • Lower the vehicle completely
  7. step 7 :Testing the Brakes
    • Press the brake pedal 3-5 times slowly to seat the brake pads
    • Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir inside the engine compartment
    • Add DOT4 brake fluid as necessary
    • Test the brakes off road at slow speed before driving on the road

Tools needed

  • Large C-Clamp

    Torque Wrench

    Pry Bar

    16mm Socket

    17mm Socket

    Jack Stands

    Brake Parts Cleaner

    Brake Fluid Tester

    Flat Blade Screwdriver

    7mm Hex Socket

    6mm Hex Socket

    Brake Fluid

    Brake Grease

    Ratchet

    Floor Jack

2000 - 2000  BMW  323i
2000 - 2000  BMW  323Ci
2001 - 2006  BMW  325Ci
2001 - 2005  BMW  325i
2000 - 2000  BMW  328Ci

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How to Replace Rear Brakes 2001-05 BMW 325Xi

Learn what steps are needed to remove the old rear brakes and prepare and install new ones with this how-to video

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