Front Caliper replacement + pads cost ?

[Retrospective Soothsayer]

Hi Folks

Spring is nearly upon us and I'd like to get out in the Z in the sun.

On my last service / MOT I was advised that my front offside calliper was sticking and pads wearing thin. Just been quoted £300 to fit a single calliper + pads which seems a little high to me, what do you folks think?

This has got me thinking though how easy / difficult is it to do myself....so I priced up a PAIR of front calipers, pads + wear sensors on CarParts4Less for £186

Ive never worked on car brakes before....is it viable that I could do this job myself ?

Thanks in advance for any guidance

M

 

[Mazza]

£300.00 for one caliper seems a bit on the high side.

As for doing it yourself, I would say so, but useful to have someone to help bleed the brakes.
I can scan or print off the Bentleys manual for the procedure if you need it.

 

[Sean d]

You can pick up a pair of new caliper off ebay for around £60, yes thats a pair of front calipers, pads another £20 and 1 hour tops to fit them, really easy job to as well

 

[Retrospective Soothsayer]

Thanks chaps

Ive just watched a few how to do video's and feel like its something I could possibly do with a little virtual hand holding

Still not sure if i need the special bleed kit (or not) though

Sean - I would really appreciate the link to the front calipers if that wasn't too much trouble

 

[mrscalex]

I’ve got a Machine Mart pressure bleeder. It was about £50 but pays for itself on first use compared with a garage bill.

Also take @t-tony s advice and wedge the brake pedal down to prevent fluid loss before taking anything apart. Counter-intuitive but it works perfectly. Remove wedge before bleeding.

Otherwise it’s bolt off and bolt back on pretty much.

 

[Grumps]

Thanks chaps

Ive just watched a few how to do video's and feel like its something I could possibly do with a little virtual hand holding

Still not sure if i need the special bleed kit (or not) though

Sean - I would really appreciate the link to the front calipers if that wasn't too much trouble

@Sean d

 

[Mac Romans]

I had this exact issue on my E85 Z4. A local Indy BMW specialist supplied and fitted one //M calliper and a pair of Brembo pads for £130 by part exchanging the faulty calliper. I lack the knowledge, tools and patience required to have done the work myself!

 

[t-tony]

You don't need a bleeder of any sort really, you can gravity bleed callipers.
Slacken off the bleed screw and let the fluid run through pushing the air with it. Once there are no bubbles coming nip the bleed screw and pump the brake pedal until it's right up. Slacken the bleed screw again watching for bubbles, again when there are no bubbles coming nip up the bleed screw. That should be it.

Tony.

 

[Sean d]

Thanks chaps

Ive just watched a few how to do video's and feel like its something I could possibly do with a little virtual hand holding

Still not sure if i need the special bleed kit (or not) though

Sean - I would really appreciate the link to the front calipers if that wasn't too much trouble

I've just had a quick look and there are loads for less then £60 a pair, have a look and see whats best for you, one add was £55 for 2

 

[mrscalex]

You don't need a bleeder of any sort really, you can gravity bleed callipers.
Slacken off the bleed screw and let the fluid run through pushing the air with it. Once there are no bubbles coming nip the bleed screw and pump the brake pedal until it's right up. Slacken the bleed screw again watching for bubbles, again when there are no bubbles coming nip up the bleed screw. That should be it.

Tony.

I must be a lot more impatient than you

 

[Sean d]

I must be a lot more impatient than you

If you are only doing the calipers there is no need for anything else other then gravity bleed as the flexi's will have been clamped so its really quick, however anything else and I don't have the patience and a pressure bleeder is required

 

[t-tony]

I must be a lot more impatient than you

I do admit it's not the quickest way to bleed brakes Rob, but probably the safest.

Tony.

 

[Mazza]

Gravity bleed is designed for retired people like me, who need something to do that will fill the day, and be able to tell the wife that it took longer than I thought.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Tried gravity bleeding on the coupes' brakes after painting them the other week, had to get the pressure bleeder out in the end. The old-fashioned bit-of-clear-pipe-stuffed-into-a-milk-bottle way will do it, too, but normally takes two people.

 

[Mazza]

@Retrospective Soothsayer ,
If you need a garage, and all the tools then you are very welcome to come over to Bognor and use mine.

Plus you get an idiot ( me) to help if you need it.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Looks like an offer you'd be a fool to refuse.

 

[mrscalex]

I do admit it's not the quickest way to bleed brakes Rob, but probably the safest.

Tony.

Why do you say it’s safer? I wasn’t aware of any inherit risks with pressure bleeders.

 

[Retrospective Soothsayer]

@Retrospective Soothsayer ,
If you need a garage, and all the tools then you are very welcome to come over to Bognor and use mine.

Plus you get an idiot ( me) to help if you need it.

Thanks @Mazza - that is extremely kind of you, that truly is an offer too good to miss.

Your Garage looks much nicer than my driveway

Ill ping you a message to try to synch up a date / time that works best for you

Great forum this !!

 

[TrevD66]

Its great that everyone tries to help everyone else out..... great camaraderie amongst forum members.

 

[Retrospective Soothsayer]

I've just had a quick look and there are loads for less then £60 a pair, have a look and see whats best for you, one add was £55 for 2

Thanks @Sean d I'll have a look. Do I need to order just the calipers - will these come with the pad holders / springs or do i order separately?
What other items will i need - Brake Fluid 1L, Coppereze, Threadlock any thing else ? Of course an unlimited supply of biscuits for Mazza