Removing and installing/replacing brake pads on both front disc brakes (Cooper Convertible)

Special tools required: 

• 34 1 050
• 34 1 280
• 2 352 960

Attention! 

• Do not mechanically clean the guide surfaces for brake pads to prevent damage to the surface coating. Clean the guide surfaces using brake cleaner, BMW part number 83 19 2 154 780. Carefully clean highly contaminated guide surfaces with a suitable tool (e.g. brass wire brush, nylon brush). Then thinly coat with brake pad paste BMW part number 83 19 2 158 851 (3 gr.) or 83 19 2 158 852 (100 gr.). 

  Spread brake pad paste onto the marked surfaces using a brush! 

  Observe REGULATION  on applying brake pad paste to brake pads and brake anchor plates!.

• Retaining pins and expanding spring: For vehicles older than 48 months it is recommended to replace the retaining spring. 
• Brake pad wear sensor: After removal it must be replaced (brake pad wear sensor loses its retention capability in the break pad). 
• A CBS reset must be done after every brake pad exchange. 
  • With a sanded brake pad wear sensor (display in CBS menu): CBS reset possible in vehicle.
  • With a non-sanded brake pad wear sensor: CBS reset only possible via diagnostic system.

Preliminary work needed: 

• Remove front WHEELS .
• Remove BRAKE PAD WEAR SENSOR .

Removal: 

Release guide screw (1).

If necessary, grip at hexagon head (2).

Tilt brake caliper (3) upwards.

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Remove brake pads (1) in arrow direction from brake anchor plate.

Attention! 

Mark any worn brake pads.

In the event of one-sided brake lining backplate wear, do not change brake pads round.

Observe minimum thickness of brake pads

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Check minimum brake disc thickness: 

• Position special tool 34 1 280 at three measuring points in area (1) and measure.
• Compare measurement result and lowest value with setpoint value.

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Installation: 

Attention! 

New brake pads may only be installed if the brake disk thickness is greater than the minimum brake disc thickness.

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Attention! 

If new brake pads are mounted on a brake disc, the following must be observed: 

• Bevel edges in the area (1) slightly (dimension A must not exceed maximum 1 mm).

These procedures applies for all the following described brake systems.

Press the brake pads and pistons back using a special tool 2 352 960.

Attention! 

When pressing back the pistons: 

• Observe the brake fluid level in the expansion tank, overflowing brake fluid will damage the paintwork.

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Check dust boot for damage and replace if necessary.

Clean contact surface (1) of brake piston with brake cleaner and apply a thin coating of brake pad paste.

Attention! 

Dust boot must not come into contact with brake pad paste as this may cause the dust boot to swell.

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Clean contact surface (1) of brake caliper with brake cleaner and apply a thin coating of brake pad paste.

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So as not to damage the surface coating, if possible do not mechanically clean  the guide surface (1) for the brake pads on the brake caliper mounting bracket. Clean guide surface (1) with brake cleaner and apply a thin coating of brake pad paste.

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Apply a thin coating of brake pad paste to both sides of T-head of brake pad in area (1).

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Attention! 

Brake pad with dent (1) is intended for accommodating the brake pad wear sensor and must be fitted on the piston side.

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For replacement: 

Replace lining spring (1).

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Install brake pad (1) in the brake anchor plate in arrow direction.

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Tilt brake caliper (3) down.

Insert guide bolt (1) and tighten.

If necessary, grip at hexagon head (2).

Installation note: 

Replace guide screw.

Tightening torque 34 11 3AZ .

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Required follow-up work: 

• Install the BRAKE PAD WEAR SENSOR .
• Mount the front WHEELS .

• Fully depress brake pedal several times so that brake pads contact brake discs.
• When installing new brake pads at front and rear axles, brake fluid level must be brought up to "MAX" mark.
• Read and comply with NOTES  on breaking in new brake discs/brake pads.