Rear Brake Caliper....

[TouringMatt]

For those who have changed thier rear pads ( this is on my 325i Touring ) what size is the damn allen key that unbolts the caliper from the carrier?

Cheers
Matt

[Simon]

I don't know the size, but I use an allen key that I've got in a normal set, i.e. it's not a specially large one....

[billgatese30]

make sure the head of the bolt and the recessed bit (that the key fits in) isn't filled with crap and make sure its scraped out nice and clean otherwise the correct size allen keys might not fit.

[TouringMatt]

They have got rubber boots covering them and look factory fresh
Shame the rest don't

Tried an 8mm, too small, 10mm too big so at a guess maybe 9??

Spend about 45mins filing down a 10mm bolt to fit, welded it into a socket and the fookin bolt rounded when i tried to undo it

Matt

[billgatese30]

might not have been 9. could have been some wierd bolt someone has put in at some point with an imperial head, although i can't imagine this as i don't know where they make bolts with metric threads and imperial threads.

you could try welding somthing to the bolt and then trying to slacken that.

or alternativly, use some stud extractors if you are really stuck.

[Simon13]

there's no reason to change this when changing pads. I can't remember exactly but it's 8mm or 10 i'm pretty sure it is

[TouringMatt]

there's no reason to change this when changing pads

Really? Not got the Haynes to hand, but when i looked i could not see how the pads came out - figured it was like most cars i'd had, unbolt one caliper bolt, slacken off the other and swing the thing up.

I will take another look tomorrow

Cheers
Matt

[TouringMatt]

Used the power of Google - and answered my own question!

In order to remove the rear trailing arms, you'll pretty much need to disassemble the rear brakes. The first step is to loosen the caliper bolts. Again, I recommend using a hex socket as opposed to an allen wrench. The allen bolts are 7mm and are in there pretty tight. They loosen fairly easliy with a wratchet though. Once the bolts are all the way loose, simply pull the caliper off the rotor. Don't let it hang from the brake line though.

Cheers for the help guys, im off down the pub

Matt

[Templ8e30]

Both front and rear calipers need 7mm allen keys to remove the caliper sliding pins.

Cheers,

Iain T

[Simon]

Iain, the engine looks great, good job!!

A nice stainless 6 branch would really finish that off!!

[Templ8e30]

It sure would Simon, just can't afford one at the mo.

Maybe next year I'll get a 6 branch and a proper remap session when I'm used to the power and want some more

I've got 2 weeks off work and the old engine comes out tomorrow, just hope it stays reasonably dry as I have no garage

I'll be doing an article on this when it's all finished.

Cheers,

Iain T

[Karan]

wkd-welcome to the 2.7 posse!!! unfortunately mine could possibly be dead..... have a look here- http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... pic&t=4146

u dont need to remove those allen bolts to change the rear pads..... trust me!

just the 2 big bolts that hold on the caliper to hub should do it

cheers
Karan

[TouringMatt]

u dont need to remove those allen bolts to change the rear pads..... trust me!

Hey your right! - brought a 7mm hex socket anyway as i needed the carrier off so i could grind all the rust off

Cheers
Matt