How to Replace the Brake Rotors in a BMW


1. Park the vehicle on a flat, level surface. Set the parking brake and place it in gear if it is a manual. Loosen the lug nuts for the wheels at all four corners. Raise the vehicle with a floor jack and lower it securely onto jack stands at all four corners. Consult the owner's manual that came with your BMW to determine the proper jacking points, which vary depending on the model. Finish removing the lug nuts and the wheels and set the wheels aside.
2. Spray brake cleaner on the brake rotor, caliper and nearby parts. Wipe the parts down with a clean, dry rag. Locate the two large bolts that hold the caliper onto the strut. These are located on the upper and lower part of the caliper on the side that faces the wheel well. Remove these two bolts with a socket and ratchet. Slide the caliper off the rotor. Support the caliper with a piece of wire tied to a nearby suspension component or on a platform to prevent damaging the brake line.
3. Remove the two bolts that hold the caliper bracket on with a socket and ratchet. BMW uses star-shaped bolts to hold the brackets on. These are removed with a Torx bit. Set the bracket aside after it is removed.
4. Search for the set screw BMWs use to hold the rotor to the vehicle's hub. This is located on the face of the rotor. On BMWs, this screw is often frozen on from moisture and dirt, so it is recommended that you spray penetrating lubricant on the set screws before attempting to remove them. Let the fluid soak in for as long as possible to ease removal of this screw. You can even let it sit overnight.
5. Remove the set screw, which on BMWs is removed with an Allen wrench. Once the set screw is removed, pull the rotor straight off of the hub. If needed, tap the rotor from behind with a rubber mallet to free it from the hub.
6. Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner and wipe it down. Spray brake cleaner on the hub mounting surface and wipe it down as well. Slide the new rotor onto the hub. Only use BMW-approved brake rotors when performing a brake job on a BMW. Reinstall the set screw and tighten it hand-tight. This screw does not to be overly tightened.
7. Reinstall the caliper carrier with the two bolts that hold it on. Slide the caliper and brake pads over the new rotor and install the bolts that hold the caliper on. Repeat for the other corners of the car. Reinstall the wheels and lower the vehicle to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts in a criss-cross pattern. Pump the brake pedal until it feels firm again.