Convince me!

[Bozola]

I am not a DYI guy, but buying a used Ti, I am willing to give it a shot. I was successful on repairing both windows. I failed on Rear Hatch strut.

Tell me. Can I do my brakes?

Tips? Clues?
________
vapir air one

[BimmerBum]

Originally Posted by Bozola

I am not a DYI guy, but buying a used Ti, I am willing to give it a shot. I was successful on repairing both windows. I failed on Rear Hatch strut.



Tell me. Can I do my brakes?

Tips? Clues?

Brakes are simple. I am sure you can find write ups on the web or just pop for a repair manual and follow it carefully.

[1996 328ti]

Pads and rotors are super easy.

[b.u.ti-ful]

Don't let that hatch fiasco stop you from moving on to the brakes!

[tiFreak]

brakes are easy, the hardest part is when the screw that holds rotors on rusts in place, I used an impact driver to get mine off, they're not too expensive

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=impact+driver

[spidertri]

I was surprised how easy the pads and rotors are to change. Like Brendan said, the carrier bolts can be a pain, I didn't have an impact gun but I did manage to squeeze a big breaker bar in there and get them loose.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by spidertri

I was surprised how easy the pads and rotors are to change. Like Brendan said, the carrier bolts can be a pain, I didn't have an impact gun but I did manage to squeeze a big breaker bar in there and get them loose.

When removing the carrier bolts (to replace rotors) soak them with PB Blaster and walk away for 10-15 minutes. Give it time to soak in.

[Bozola]

Confidence factor.. now 50%
________
ipad guides

[marko]

brakes are easy! try finding a write up on here, or get either the Bentley manual or the 101 Bmw projects (from Pelican Parts).

you'll need a small C-clamp & some anti-seize grease/compound for the bolts (so they are easy to remove next time around).

good luck!

Originally Posted by Bozola

I am not a DYI guy, but buying a used Ti, I am willing to give it a shot. I was successful on repairing both windows. I failed on Rear Hatch strut.

Tell me. Can I do my brakes?

Tips? Clues?

[roadrash]

I don't want to be the "wet blanket" here, but...

A new thermostat was one of the first things my car needed. Most everyone here would say that's a pretty simple thing to replace. And from looking at where it's located, I'd have agreed. However, living in an apartment and therefore having nowhere to do the work, I opted to take it to a highly-recommended mechanic. It's a good thing I did. A couple of the bolts were seized and required more tricks to get out and replaced than I have up my sleeves. If I had chosen to do that particular repair, I'd have been screwed because I don't have the tools or workspace to deal with that sort of unforseen problem.

So, I suggest that you factor in:
1) Do I have a safe, suitable place to work on the car? (garage, covered carport, etc.)
2) Can I get by without the car for a few days if it takes me a long time to do the work, or if something goes wrong?
3) Do I have all the tools needed, and do I have quick/easy access to more tools if something goes wrong? (borrow, rent, etc.)
4) Do I have all the parts necessary, and quick/easy access to other items if needed? (AutoZone, NAPA, BMW dealer, etc.?)
And finally...
5) Is there someone nearby who can rush me to the hospital if I do something really stupid? ;-)

[marko]

Originally Posted by roadrash

5) Is there someone nearby who can rush me to the hospital if I do something really stupid? ;-)

funny, I always seem to forget this last part...

[1996 328ti]

Last time I almost rolled into my wife's Mini because I forgot to pump the brakes.

[Criswell]

if you decide to DIY (not a hard task at all BTW), dont forget to put the wheel (laying on its side obviously) or something similar thickness under the car while its jacked up. That way, if by some horrible chance your jack fails, and the car falls, it doesnt crash down onto the ground (or potentially your legs or toes etc. depending on how youre situated.)

when i got my first car (an 86 escort) the jack failed, and the car nearly fell on my legs because I had them under the car because that was the most comfortable way to work on it. I had no tire under it b/c it never crossed my mind. (first time wrenching ever, on very first car .. yeah i was a noob) I dont know how i reacted quick enough to get them out in time, but i damn near lost my legs, because i didn't know any better. Just wanted to pass the story on, to try to prevent it happening from someone else else.

[spidertri]

^^ Good tip definitely, but make sure you use jack stands. Never support a car you are working under with only a jack even if you put the wheels under it. I use jackstands and wheels whenever I need to work on something underneath the car.

[lkwd318ti]

Brakes is one of the easier things to do on the car.
There's a few DIYs out there I believe.

This is one of the first things I've done on my car by my hands (and with the help of a few friends).
Since then, a few major things I've done were shocks/springs and the radiator.


After doing the brakes, my confidence level in working on my car boosted up ALOT.

A quick search for braking DIY lead me to find this DIY on the brake pads.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...Brake_Pads.htm
If you want to remove the calipers rotors I think it's only 2 more bolts, and then there's the one screw that holds the rotor in.


-Randy