My 2005 525i tells me i need brake pads replaced, and i want to do it myself. anyone has a service manual? or another thought, maybe i just need to reset the sensors??

 

the only way to reset that sensor is to replace it. it is a wire tucked into your brake pad, and when the pad wears enough to expose it and wear the plastic protecting it, it breaks, and thus triggers the light. brake pad changes have been documented here before, if you've done it on most any other floating caliper car the procedure is the same. Unbolt the caliper, push back pistons with caliper tool, remove old pads, grease and install new pads and sensor, put caliper back on mount.

note that you have a sensor for the fronts and another for the rears, so make sure you're replacing the correct set. I can't remember if it's LF and RR or RF and LR that have the sensors. it's one per axle and they're on opposite sides.

 

if its the front then its on the left hand side... after replacing it you can reset it through your idrive

 

Hmmm... brings up a question. When replacing the stock brake pads with the Axxis Deluxe brake pads, does that impact the cars ability to detect low brakes? Are those sensors standard in brake pads??

 

bro there not in the brake pad its a sensor which plugs into the side of the pad, there is normally a cut in the pad where it clips in

hope this helps :-)

the BBK I have fiited to my 545 also came with the cut out in the pad for the sensor :-)

 

If i am understanding correctly, brake pads dont come with sensors. I need to buy sensors separately, correct? Which makes me think of another possibility, perhaps whomever replaced the pads, might have forgotten to replace the sensors, or did not replace sensor intentionally. because the brakes feel good. no unusual noise or anything. of course i didnt take the wheels off to look at them yet...

 

correct, it is a separate sensor which you will have to buy. Brakes can need replacement without noise, it is rare but very possible. without taking the wheel off there's no way to know for sure.

 

how much are the sensors? and where can I buy them online?

 

Don't forget that the caliper does not just "come off" when you unbolt it thanks to thier new design. You compress the piston while its still stuck on the caliper carrier or unbolth the carrier as well. I opted to pull like hell on the caliper against the rotor to compress it. Was it the best way of doing it? Most likely not. And the sensor is around $16. You can get it from BMA parts, pelican parts, bav auto, or our good friend gary at newport BMW.

 

Hey guys, I just changed my brake pads but did NOT change the sensors. The only problem I'm having is that my brake light in my instrument cluster stays on as if my ebrake was on at all times. I just bought new rims and rotors so I'll taclking that this weekend and hopefully new sensors take care of that. Did it so I could pass inspection. Anywayz, Pics soon, and if anyone knows how to reset that ebrake light I would appreciate it , thanks guys.