Back Index Up

Rotors remove and install

Remove wheel
Remove 17mm bolts securing caliper bracket to strut or control arm. 340011.jpg (56615 bytes) 340010.jpg (58367 bytes)
Pull caliper toward the brake rotor to force piston back slightly. 340012.jpg (55756 bytes)
Slide caliper off rotor and support with wire. Do not let caliper hang from brake hose as damage to the hose may result.
Remove 5mm Allen bolt securing rotor to hub. If bolt head is stripped, and rotors are being replaced, use a hammer on the back of the rotor to break it off the hub. This will allow you to get full access to the head of the bolt with a pair of vice grips or even to cut a slot in the head for a screwdriver. If rotors are not being replaced, drill head off bolt to remove rotor. 340024.jpg (53559 bytes)
The only purpose of this bolt is to retain the rotor while installing the wheel, if necessary, it can be left out, although it may cause problems later if you have to change a tire on the side of the road.
Remove rotor, if rotor is stuck to hub , hit it with a hammer. If rotor is to be re-used, do not hit the outer surfaces, hit the rotor where the wheel bolts go through. The shock of a few good hits will bounce the rotor off the hub, be careful not to drop the rotor.
Always replace brake rotors in pairs, never replace any brake component on one corner of the car only, this can cause uneven and dangerous braking situations.

Part numbers

Front rotors : 34 11 2 226 813
Rear rotors : 34 21 2 225 507

Torques

Caliper bracket to strut  (front) 86-110 Nm (62 - 80 ft lbs.)
Caliper bracket to control arm (rear) 65 ± 10% Nm (47 +/-10%)

 

Back Index Up
E30 M3 Repair Manual V2.7.  Copyright ©1999-2001 Koala Motorsport & Brett Anderson