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      11-27-2019, 05:32 AM   #1
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Changing G05 Brake Pads

I've still got a ways to go before I need new pads but when I got the G05 I was looking forward to doing that work myself (we have the M-Sport brakes). Later I read that there's a sensor or something that needs to be reset and it's not easy to do? Does anyone have experience with this?
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      11-27-2019, 06:56 AM   #2
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In addition to being a mechanic, I've also owned 2 BMW in the past, and installed, uninstalled, and then re-installed an M performance Big Brake Kit on both cars.... and done brake jobs on at least 100 more cars over the past 25 years. While I don't own my G05 yet, I can answer this question pretty thoroughly.

The sensor you are referring to is just a "wire" that has a connection inside the wheelwell, as well as the brake pad itself. It just snaps in - No tools are required, and it is quite simple. And, although BMW will tell you otherwise, unless you wear down your brake pads to the bare minimum, you do not need to replace them unless they are damaged. I used the last set of sensors on2 brake pad changes (neither were more than 50% worn though). The sensor is a Male U-shaped "plug" that snaps into a female U-shaped portion on the base of the brake pad. its designed to be "destroyed" when your pads get too thin, and warn you beforehand. Change your pads at 50-60%, and you can re-use the sensors.

Note, the sensor "wire" has a SOLID copper core.... not braided like most copper wire. Consequently, it breaks easily if you coil or bend it (I know from personal experience). So... be careful with it, dont bend it too sharply,,,, but essentially its just a wire

Front calipers are monobloc style, meaning you don't even have to remove the calipers to change the pads. Pads are held in with 2 pins. All you need to change the pads is a set of pliers to pull the pins out. You will need to compress the 4 pistons before installing the new (thicker) brake pads. As with all multi-piston calipers, removing the brake reservoir cap makes it easier. If not, compressing one piston causes another to protrude.

The rear calipers are "old school" single piston design (which drives me crazy). Simple install - remove the lower caliper bolt, loosen the upper, swing the caliper up, change pads, re-install, re-tighten.

There is an added level of complexity with the rear calipers, because as of 2019, BMW incorporated an electronic e-brake into the caliper (hence, making multi-piston caliper upgrades impossible), but that shouldn't affect the way the pads are changed.

It's a straight-forward job, even for a basic mechanic. Nothing "electronic" or "coding" related needs to occur, so you don't need BMWs involvement.
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Last edited by Ninefourteener; 11-27-2019 at 07:16 AM..
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      12-02-2019, 10:45 AM   #3
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Are you sure about that? This guy who changed pads on his G05 says otherwise.

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...t=brake+sensor

From the thread linked above:
"The pads are easy to change, but unfortunately BMW has made this a non DIY project. The reason is you used to be able to push your pistons in on the floating rear caliper, drop your pads in and go. Now the G body cars have calipers that have to be retracted with a computer. If you don't, your dash will light up with errors and alerts. I have a friend that has the software to retract the rotors for me so I did the job myself."

"I was told this started in all the G chassis cars. I’m not talking about the pad wear sensor that clips into the top of the pad. There’s something in the caliper that tracks the pistons position within the caliper. When you manually move the piston, the car gets confused on the position of the piston and lights up your dash. You can manually move the positions, but there is a chance for damage BMW says, and then go to the dealership and have everything reset. I imagine they’ll charge you an hour of labor. Just keep in mind the car may not brake properly if it’s confused on the pistons position."
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      12-04-2019, 01:58 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gofast182 View Post
Are you sure about that? This guy who changed pads on his G05 says otherwise.

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...t=brake+sensor

From the thread linked above:
"The pads are easy to change, but unfortunately BMW has made this a non DIY project. The reason is you used to be able to push your pistons in on the floating rear caliper, drop your pads in and go. Now the G body cars have calipers that have to be retracted with a computer. If you don't, your dash will light up with errors and alerts. I have a friend that has the software to retract the rotors for me so I did the job myself."


"I was told this started in all the G chassis cars. I’m not talking about the pad wear sensor that clips into the top of the pad. There’s something in the caliper that tracks the pistons position within the caliper. When you manually move the piston, the car gets confused on the position of the piston and lights up your dash. You can manually move the positions, but there is a chance for damage BMW says, and then go to the dealership and have everything reset. I imagine they’ll charge you an hour of labor. Just keep in mind the car may not brake properly if it’s confused on the pistons position."

No..... I didn't know that..... but it's quite interesting to hear.
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      12-04-2019, 05:38 AM   #5
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So does anyone know what it would take to do this at home?
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      12-07-2019, 06:10 AM   #6
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You need either software or a bmw tool to physically unscrew the rear pistons.
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      12-07-2019, 11:22 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gofast182 View Post
Are you sure about that? This guy who changed pads on his G05 says otherwise.

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...t=brake+sensor

From the thread linked above:
"The pads are easy to change, but unfortunately BMW has made this a non DIY project. The reason is you used to be able to push your pistons in on the floating rear caliper, drop your pads in and go. Now the G body cars have calipers that have to be retracted with a computer. If you don't, your dash will light up with errors and alerts. I have a friend that has the software to retract the rotors for me so I did the job myself."

"I was told this started in all the G chassis cars. I’m not talking about the pad wear sensor that clips into the top of the pad. There’s something in the caliper that tracks the pistons position within the caliper. When you manually move the piston, the car gets confused on the position of the piston and lights up your dash. You can manually move the positions, but there is a chance for damage BMW says, and then go to the dealership and have everything reset. I imagine they’ll charge you an hour of labor. Just keep in mind the car may not brake properly if it’s confused on the pistons position."
Read further down that thread. Some have tried it without software by following instructions from the tis info.
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      04-27-2021, 03:38 AM   #8
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I have brake discs and pads to be replaced, I've read the ways to replace the pads, but I wonder if it will be possible to withdraw the rear brake pistons without a computer. From what I saw, the front ones are made by pressing the pistons as standard
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      04-27-2021, 06:47 PM   #9
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I believe bimmerlink has an option to put the car in brake service mode. It retracts the rear electromechanical parking brake.
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      10-08-2021, 10:06 PM   #10
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Last edited by STEALERHSIPS GONE SOON; 06-27-2023 at 11:53 AM..
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      10-08-2021, 10:31 PM   #11
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For the part about the fronts being easy b/c you can swap pads. That's not true. I have NEVER changed pads and not had to replace the rotors so the pin thing isn't a time saver. Plus BMW designs the pads and rotors to wear together.

Some will say you can swap two sets of rear pads before needing to change the rotor and I've had a dealer do exactly that under warranty. But BMW has been changing braking and applying the rears so the cars stop smoother and don't dive as much by applying more rear brake which means rears tend to wear faster.

I change my own brakes and I don't want to do more work than needed. So I always replace the rotor when I change the pads, b/c it's not cost effective from a time perspective.

Last edited by omasou; 11-20-2021 at 02:24 PM..
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      11-07-2021, 10:08 PM   #12
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Last edited by STEALERHSIPS GONE SOON; 06-27-2023 at 11:53 AM..
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      11-12-2021, 05:04 PM   #13
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remeeno
Thanks for this post. Please confirm my understanding of the steps:

1) Park the car, do not use the electronic parking brake, just use the button on the gearshift

2) Use Bimmerlink to activate the Parking Brake Service mode (does this do anything different than number 1 above?) It seems you just need the parking brake disengaged

3) Use the brake caliper compression / rotation tool to retract the piston

4) Install new pads

5) Use Bimmerlink to deactivate the Parking Brake Service mode.

6) Engage the Parking brake prior to touching the normal brake

In reading about this I think people just did steps 1 and 6, not 2 and 5. This is the first I've heard of using Bimmerlink but it seems to be exactly for this purpose. I just wonder if Bimmerlink is necessary if you take care to manually disengage and reengage the parking brake
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      11-16-2021, 08:14 AM   #14
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      11-18-2021, 02:38 PM   #15
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@remeeno Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm not sure how anyone succeeded without Bimmerlink. Maybe they had unplugged the battery. Doesn't matter now that you posted the definitive procedure. I really appreciate it!
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      11-18-2021, 03:02 PM   #16
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remeeno Do you need a Compressor Wind Back Rewind Tool Set or once in service mode can I just push the piston in like in the past?
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      11-20-2021, 02:08 PM   #17
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      11-20-2021, 02:09 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by remeeno View Post
The app just unblock the piston. You still need to use the tool to push the piston back in.
Yes, but do I need that newer style rotating tool to screw it back in or can I just push in the piston like I've been doing for year?
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      11-20-2021, 02:13 PM   #19
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      11-22-2021, 09:19 AM   #20
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I changed the rears on my Blue Caliper 2019 50ix yesterday. I rented the tool from the auto parts store to turn the rotors back in. I set the parking brake before restarting the truck when finished. All is great. No codes, no warning lights, no software needed. A very easy job.
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      11-22-2021, 10:34 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Melbourne_X5M View Post
I changed the rears on my Blue Caliper 2019 50ix yesterday. I rented the tool from the auto parts store to turn the rotors back in. I set the parking brake before restarting the truck when finished. All is great. No codes, no warning lights, no software needed. A very easy job.
So they do need to be screwed back in?
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      11-22-2021, 10:09 PM   #22
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Quote:
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So they do need to be screwed back in?
Yes. There is a tool kit you can rent for free from places like Autozone and O’Reillys
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