WTA: Replacing Disc Rotor

[champion]

Dear All, would like to ask when is it advisable to change the disc rotors ? I did a finger check, obviously the plate is thinner than the outer ring, but how thin is thin enough to call for a replacement ?Thanks.

 

[astroboy]

Every model if not mistaken, has the minimum rotor thickness specification engraved/stamped on the rotor. Which specific model are u referring to?

Our BMW rotor is good for 2 sets of pad, take a measurement when the 2nd set of pad goes in because it may or may not last up till 3rd set depending on the type of pad u use. Some pads are more abrasive to the rotor than others. Normally pads that give u good stopping power makan your rotor in the process of converting kinetic energy to heat and wear.

E46 325i and 330i front rotor minimal rotor thickness is 20.4mm.

For E39, there's quite a few useful info here:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=392720

 

[K.K.]

the red light with the car jacked-up came on on my E87 @ 48,000km, after a trip to Cameron. got it checked and apparently brake pads worn out, disc rotor unevenly "eaten up". Got all 4 rotors replaced with new set of brake pads and sensors for RM2368.00 (including workmanship). Not sure how much AB/IA charge though.

 

[astroboy]

Pad minimal thickness is 3mm, anything below, you are risking the breakage of the glass tube contact sensor, once punctured the glass, need to replace the pad wear sensor as well.

Actually its cheaper to wait until pad wear sensor triggered because based on a new set of new pad, is about 1cm thick for let say RM200, so every mm worth about RM20 and how much is the pad wear sensor now? Used to be few Ringgit for the E36, now I heard price has shoot up quite a bit.. Try to calculate the most economical point for pad change If your pad is RM400, then evey mm is RM40!! The sensor definitely cost less than RM40..

 

[champion]

Thanks a lot. Its actually for e39. Will go thru the link.

:top:

 

[K.K.]

got e87's front disc pad for RM350, rear RM250. wear sensor RM60.

 

[champion]

Anyone can share how much it cost for slotted rotors (front/back) ?

Thanks.

 

[fabianyee]

Anyone can share how much it cost for slotted rotors (front/back) ?

Thanks.

Don't think original or OEM has slotted disc. And with a few aftermarket brands, which one u want? I know ATE Powerdisc should be available here. Usually it's about double the price of a normal ATE disc rotor.

 

[etquah]

Pad minimal thickness is 3mm, anything below, you are risking the breakage of the glass tube contact sensor, once punctured the glass, need to replace the pad wear sensor as well.


Actually its cheaper to wait until pad wear sensor triggered because based on a new set of new pad, is about 1cm thick for let say RM200, so every mm worth about RM20 and how much is the pad wear sensor now? Used to be few Ringgit for the E36, now I heard price has shoot up quite a bit.. Try to calculate the most economical point for pad change If your pad is RM400, then evey mm is RM40!! The sensor definitely cost less than RM40..

Actually it is convenience for me to follow your car service schedule but the problem is my mileage is going to overtake yours. I am clocking about 1800km per month

 

[bimmerholic]

Don't think original or OEM has slotted disc. And with a few aftermarket brands, which one u want? I know ATE Powerdisc should be available here. Usually it's about double the price of a normal ATE disc rotor.

Crossed drilled/slotted Zimmermans? Anyone knows what's the damage is like to get these on an E39?

 

[bimmerholic]

Pad minimal thickness is 3mm, anything below, you are risking the breakage of the glass tube contact sensor, once punctured the glass, need to replace the pad wear sensor as well.

Actually its cheaper to wait until pad wear sensor triggered because based on a new set of new pad, is about 1cm thick for let say RM200, so every mm worth about RM20 and how much is the pad wear sensor now? Used to be few Ringgit for the E36, now I heard price has shoot up quite a bit.. Try to calculate the most economical point for pad change If your pad is RM400, then evey mm is RM40!! The sensor definitely cost less than RM40..

I've inspected my front and rear pads and they look like they're "thinnnin"quicker than i think. Now, how else would we know that the brake pad sensor is actually working and that it'll tell us when it reaches Critical thinness....before it's too late? Is there a way of testing the sensors? And i think i've read it somewhere that the sensors are on just one side of the car. (meaning left front and rear OR right front and rear) Correct me if i'm wrong.

Read in manual, that it'll display "check brake pads" on the cluster but just need to know that the sensors are actually working for it to display that. Just like how i occasionally test my ABS to ensure that they're alive when it's called for.

 

[bimmerholic]

Champion,

I hope i'm not hijacking your thread, but hoping it'll help all of us understand more on replacing rotors on E39.

Lastly,

From what i notice is pre-facelift E39s come with solid disc for the rear and post-facelifts come with ventilated rear discs.
My curiosity is, can we P&P ventilated rear disc for postlift onto a prefacelift E39?

Thanks all.

 

[fabianyee]

My curiosity is, can we P&P ventilated rear disc for postlift onto a prefacelift E39?

Thanks all.

Can't confirm on the types of disc rotors. However, generally ventilated disc are thicker, so in order to use the ventilated disc, u need to have the corresponding calipers (and brackets)... In some cases, u just need to get the brackets while retaining the calipers.

 

[champion]

I've inspected my front and rear pads and they look like they're "thinnnin"quicker than i think. Now, how else would we know that the brake pad sensor is actually working and that it'll tell us when it reaches Critical thinness....before it's too late? Is there a way of testing the sensors? And i think i've read it somewhere that the sensors are on just one side of the car. (meaning left front and rear OR right front and rear) Correct me if i'm wrong.

Read in manual, that it'll display "check brake pads" on the cluster but just need to know that the sensors are actually working for it to display that. Just like how i occasionally test my ABS to ensure that they're alive when it's called for.

Mine tarak OBC, what other ways does it warned you to change brake pads ?

 

[bimmerholic]

Mine tarak OBC, what other ways does it warned you to change brake pads ?

No bro, You got OBC. Just that it's the low OBC. Meaning, it doens't display in words rather it would pop an warning indicator light on on your meter cluster.

 

[astroboy]

This is a very simple device.. single wire, the tip is some exposed wires but enclosed in a glass capsule. When pad too thin, the glass capsule will rub on the brake disc and cause it to break, allowing the expose wire to touch the rotor and ground the electrical signal carried by the wire. This will complete the circuit resulting in the illumination of the dash warning bulb. No computer needed back in the E36 era. Simple elementary school science topic on electric circuit.

Every wheel with disc brake, there's 2 pads (in/out) to clamp on the brake disc. They might not wear evenly and only the inner pad has the pad wear sensor for one of the front wheel, one for the rear wheel, total 2 sensors. So if you see thinning on the outer pad doesn't mean the inner pad is thin as well, thus warning may not necessary be triggered. So if you can see balance 3mm on the outer pad, don't need to wait anymore, just replace them and salvage your pad wear sensor.

Yes, pad wear sensor can be salvaged if the glass capsule remain intact. Most foreman will persuade u to replace as well which I think is a rip off! *&^%$#@!!

 

[arowana33]

a pair of front E36 brake disc for sale, brand new & genuine BMW parts - selling cheap. PM me if interested.

 

[pussy]

a pair of front E36 brake disc for sale, brand new & genuine BMW parts - selling cheap. PM me if interested.

hello.... please open a new thread instead of spamming on old threads..

thank you.