 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Car Forum / BMW Cars / May 2009front ABS brake caliper piston retract
Hi, a mate of mine has an X reg 320 and we cannot shift the front ABS caliper pistons back into their shell to allow fitting of new pads. Do we need a special tool, like the one I have for GM, that twists the piston whilst squeezing it back in? Any help greatlfully received - his wife wants to use the car tomorrow and he's in great danger of losing every brownie point he's ever earned (not many actually !! ) Ta! Diesel Dave All you need do is use a C-clamp to push the pistons back inside the caliper housing. If you are careful, you can wedge an appropriate prying device between the caliper and a brake pad, and force the caliper open by prying. (You have to be cautious so as to avoid scratching the rotor.) Speaking of rotors, did you measure them to be sure they are not worn to the minimum spec that is printed on them? > Hi, > a mate of mine has an X reg 320 and we cannot shift the front ABS caliper [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Ta! > Diesel Dave > All you need do is use a C-clamp to push the pistons back inside the > caliper housing. > > If you are careful, you can wedge an appropriate prying device between the > caliper and a brake pad, and force the caliper open by prying. (You have > to be cautious so as to avoid scratching the rotor.) Or er damaging the seal, but this may depend on model. > Speaking of rotors, did you measure them to be sure they are not worn to > the minimum spec that is printed on them? [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >> Ta! >> Diesel Dave > All you need do is use a C-clamp to push the pistons back inside the caliper > housing. Not necessarily. Back in the dark old days when I drove a Bummer (up to last year), unless the calipers were original (which I could easily push back in) these things will freeze out, and they simply won't budge. I'm a strong guy to begin with, but even a big C clamp didn't do the job with the fluid bleed open. Oh, the memories. A list of problems over those 8 years that was literally half as long as my arm, including the shitty GM transmission they put in the "ultimate driving machines" going south at 85K miles--nearly $4 grand to replace. I drive an '09 Honda Accord now. Pure bliss and looking forward to years of bliss! In article <10f4d6b2-9010-4869-bf61-4c916c4edb16@z7g2000vbh.googlegroups.com>, > I drive an '09 Honda Accord now. Why read a BMW group then? Obviously need persuading you made the right decision by your posts...  Signature*Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them * Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. On May 21, 8:55 am, "Dave Plowman (News)" <d...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote: > In article > <10f4d6b2-9010-4869-bf61-4c916c4ed...@z7g2000vbh.googlegroups.com>, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Why read a BMW group then? Just thought I'd drop in. I read lots and lots of stuff. I became a bit of a Bummer expert during ownership. This group looks like it's dying, like a lot of USENET. >Obviously need persuading you made the right > decision by your posts... But you obviously think Bummers are great cars. In article <d9793f61-fd77-4d11-8fb5-fb548065cf17@g37g2000yqn.googlegroups.com>, > On May 21, 8:55 am, "Dave Plowman (News)" <d...@davenoise.co.uk> > wrote: [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > > > Why read a BMW group then? > Just thought I'd drop in. I read lots and lots of stuff. > I became a bit of a Bummer expert during ownership. Doesn't sound like it by your advice about calipers. If they seize as you suggest there'd be lots of other problems. And why wouldn't they be original - they have a very long life. > This group looks like it's dying, like a lot of USENET. > >Obviously need persuading you made the right > > decision by your posts... > But you obviously think Bummers are great cars. BMW, like any other brand, isn't perfect. But usually enjoyable to drive - unlike most Hondas. Signature*The more people I meet, the more I like my dog. Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. On May 21, 10:20 am, "Dave Plowman (News)" <d...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote: > In article > <d9793f61-fd77-4d11-8fb5-fb548065c...@g37g2000yqn.googlegroups.com>, [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > suggest there'd be lots of other problems. And why wouldn't they be > original - they have a very long life. Yeah, like their transmissions, and their electronic components, and their blower motors, and their cat. converters, and their rubber molding, etc., etc.,etc. > BMW, like any other brand, isn't perfect. But usually enjoyable to drive > - unlike most Hondas. The Accord drives fine. Like most Hondas, it's very light on its feet, although it's actually a pretty heavy car--the Accord is considered a mid-sized car now. And it is a HELL of a lot more comfortable than the bummer was. In article <61a23801-44ba-4a09-8e18-b11f93323e42@n19g2000vba.googlegroups.com>, > > Doesn't sound like it by your advice about calipers. If they seize as > > you suggest there'd be lots of other problems. And why wouldn't they > > be original - they have a very long life. > Yeah, like their transmissions, and their electronic components, > and their blower motors, and their cat. converters, and their rubber > molding, etc., etc.,etc. Not had a problem with any of these on my 10 year old E39. Except the final stage resistor - easily changed. But hey - if reliability is the only important thing for you - you're probably right in buying a Honda. Or Toyota. Everyone has to retire and slow down some time. Signature*It's not hard to meet expenses... they're everywhere. Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. > BMW, like any other brand, isn't perfect. But usually enjoyable to drive >- unlike most Hondas. Hondas are OK, for FWD cars. I'd love to see them do a 3-series comptetitor. I think they could hit the target better than what Lexus (and Mercedes, for that matter) has been able to do... >> All you need do is use a C-clamp to push the pistons back inside the caliper >> housing. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > to replace. I drive an '09 Honda Accord now. Pure bliss and looking > forward to years of bliss! Try changing the brake fluid once in a while. Works for our bimmers thus far. My '91 Accord now has over 210K miles. It also has original calipers and wheel cylinders. SignatureJRE > My '91 Accord now has over 210K miles. It also has original calipers and > wheel cylinders. Original calipers? Big deal. I've been working on cars (shadetree stuff for my own fleet) for 40+ years and never replaced a caliper. My first BMW topped 225K miles on the original calipers. I've had Hondas that were closing in on 200K miles with no reason to think the calipers were going south. Brake fluid makes sense though ... . >> My '91 Accord now has over 210K miles. It also has original calipers and >> wheel cylinders. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Brake fluid makes sense though ... It was an *example*. The point is this: Brake fluid is hygroscopic. If you don't change it, water vapor eventually gets past the seals (even if they are good, they are rarely perfect). When that happens, corrosion starts. I've replaced any number of calipers that were corroded, many of which would not retract. After the first time it happened to me, 30-something years ago, and I started to change brake fluid from time to time, none of them have been mine. (So far, the record for me is 264K on a 1972 Datsun 510. The Accord and our two E46s might very well break that record handily if we don't hit too many deer with them....) SignatureJRE > last_permutat...@yahoo.com wrote: > >> All you need do is use a C-clamp to push the pistons back inside the caliper [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Try changing the brake fluid once in a while. Where did I say I didn't? In article <9e5332f7-27a9-4eb0-8b62-08ab7d738ea5@i6g2000yqj.googlegroups.com>, > > Try changing the brake fluid once in a while. > Where did I say I didn't? If you had lots of problems with calipers seizing, it's the likely cause. Signature*I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message. Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. >Oh, the memories. A list of problems over those 8 years that was >literally half as long as my arm, including the shitty GM transmission they put >in the "ultimate driving machines" going south at 85K miles--nearly $4 >grand to replace. Was that a "Steptronic"? > >Oh, the memories. A list of problems over those 8 years that was > >literally half as long as my arm, including the shitty GM transmission > >they put in the "ultimate driving machines" going south at 85K > >miles--nearly $4 grand to replace. > Was that a "Steptronic"? Doubt it makes much difference to the replacement cost. Any guesses as to why BMW used GM transmissions on US cars, but ZF pretty well everywhere else? Especially if the GM wasn't reliable? Signature*One nice thing about egotists: they don't talk about other people. Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. > Any guesses as to why BMW used GM transmissions on US cars, but ZF pretty > well everywhere else? Especially if the GM wasn't reliable? ISTR reading that engine/gearbox combos had to be type approved in the US which cost mucho-wonga. Perhaps using a home grown box got round this somehow. Alternatively, perhaps the ratios were better suited to US driving. Fifth on my ZF boxed 325 was so long that it probably wouldn't have got into it at 55mph[1]. [1] Don't forget, this is 15+ years ago. I know limits are higher now. SignatureScott Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket? >> Any guesses as to why BMW used GM transmissions on US cars, but ZF pretty >> well everywhere else? Especially if the GM wasn't reliable? > >ISTR reading that engine/gearbox combos had to be type approved in the >US which cost mucho-wonga. Perhaps using a home grown box got round this >somehow. I believe it had to do with reducing tariffs and/or import taxes, where the greater the "local content" of a product, the cheaper it was. > >> Any guesses as to why BMW used GM transmissions on US cars, but ZF > >> pretty well everywhere else? Especially if the GM wasn't reliable? > > > >ISTR reading that engine/gearbox combos had to be type approved in the > >US which cost mucho-wonga. Perhaps using a home grown box got round > >this somehow. > I believe it had to do with reducing tariffs and/or import taxes, where > the greater the "local content" of a product, the cheaper it was. I did wonder, but IIRC that GM was made in France. Signature*Everybody lies, but it doesn't matter since nobody listens* Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. >> >Oh, the memories. A list of problems over those 8 years that was >> >literally half as long as my arm, including the shitty GM transmission [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >Doubt it makes much difference to the replacement cost. That's not why I asked... >Any guesses as to why BMW used GM transmissions on US cars, but ZF pretty >well everywhere else? Especially if the GM wasn't reliable? The (meager) evidence I've gathered is that it's the ZF that's less reliable. > >> >Oh, the memories. A list of problems over those 8 years that was > >> >literally half as long as my arm, including the shitty GM transmission [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > > >Doubt it makes much difference to the replacement cost. > That's not why I asked... Are you implying there's a difference in reliability between Steptronic and non Steptronic autos? Would seem unlikely to me since it's only a change to the control gear. > >Any guesses as to why BMW used GM transmissions on US cars, but ZF > >pretty well everywhere else? Especially if the GM wasn't reliable? > The (meager) evidence I've gathered is that it's the ZF that's less > reliable. Some early 4 speed ZF did fail early when subjected to a US emission test which IIRC involved prolonged revving in neutral. But think this was fixed by the time the 5-speed arrived. Only 'straw poll' I have is that the 5HP19 as fitted to my 528 doesn't go for much on Ebay - so there can't be much of a demand. Signature*That's it! I‘m calling grandma! Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. >Are you implying there's a difference in reliability between Steptronic >and non Steptronic autos? Would seem unlikely to me since it's only a >change to the control gear. I don't know that's the case. I think that Step=ZF. Maybe. > >Are you implying there's a difference in reliability between Steptronic > >and non Steptronic autos? Would seem unlikely to me since it's only a > >change to the control gear. > I don't know that's the case. I think that Step=ZF. Maybe. In the UK Steptronic was an option with the ZF box. I thought the same applied to the GM in the US. Signature*Why is a boxing ring square? Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. >> >Are you implying there's a difference in reliability between Steptronic >> >and non Steptronic autos? Would seem unlikely to me since it's only a [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >In the UK Steptronic was an option with the ZF box. I thought the same >applied to the GM in the US. AFAIK, it was an abrupt switch, on a per-model basis. Up to a certain time, if you got an auto with a certain model, it was not a Step, with no "add Step option" available. The Step auto was phased-in, not coincidentally about the same time that ZF was phased-in. > >In the UK Steptronic was an option with the ZF box. I thought the same > >applied to the GM in the US. > AFAIK, it was an abrupt switch, on a per-model basis. Up to a certain > time, if you got an auto with a certain model, it was not a Step, with > no "add Step option" available. The Step auto was phased-in, not > coincidentally about the same time that ZF was phased-in. I have a fairly early E39 - '97 - and that has Steptronic. Think it was an option here from release. Of course in the UK there were base models not available in other countries - and plenty of those don't have Steptronic. I thought all 6 cylinder E39s started off with the GM transmission in the US. Signature*Heart attacks... God's revenge for eating his animal friends Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. >> >In the UK Steptronic was an option with the ZF box. I thought the same >> >applied to the GM in the US. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >I thought all 6 cylinder E39s started off with the GM transmission in the >US. If it had a GM then it was not a Step. That's my theory that I think it true. Any USA early E39 owners care to chime-in? > a mate of mine has an X reg 320 and we cannot shift the front ABS > caliper pistons back into their shell to allow fitting of new pads. As said, it just shoves back in but the recommended way of doing ABS equipped cars is to open the bleed nipple and force the fluid out of there rather than back through the master cylinder. Also makes it easier to push back in by hand, though an assistant is helpful to stop you drawing air back into the system. SignatureScott Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket? As others have suggested, use a C clamp and screw the clamp down on the piston top to settle it back down into the shell (brake housing we say in the colonies). The brake fluid squeezed it down that way as the brake pad linings wore away from use. Sooooooo ... you have to give the brake fluid a place to go back up the pipe it came back down (some people loosen the brake fluid filler cap), and drain out ALL the old brake fluid. Flush out the system, the pipes and all down to the refurbished brake shoes ... it is full of dirt and rust, makes for pitting in the master cylinder miles later ... so use DOT 3 or what ever BMW recommendes as brake fluid ... get a whole liter or quart ... save off what you expend and recycle it. Rather toxic so be mindful. Go slow, don't scratch things, clean it up nicely, and follow the steps in the shop manual you zeroxed out of the public library ... and it will do rather nicely. Penny wise is dollar foolish on a BMW ... so use good parts and use all the BMW stuff they say to use or better if it is on the shelf. Sumbuddie hopes this helps :? > Hi, > a mate of mine has an X reg 320 and we cannot shift the front ABS [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Ta! > Diesel Dave |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2009 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.