E46 - Brake caliper pistons, how easy to push in?

[Olivergt]

As per the title.

I'm in the process of changing my discs, pads and brake fluid.

The slide pins are quite sticky, so they will be cleaned up and fresh (silicone) grease applied.

I'm also cleaning up the calipers and will grease (brake) where the pads sit/slide.

The piston dust shields are all in place and not damaged but everything looks quite dirty.

I can push the pistons back in by hand, with a fair amount of effort, which kind of says they are not stuck, but I'm undecided on whether I should disturb everything and change the pistons and seals while everything is apart.

Thoughts?

Car - 2003 E46 325i saloon.

[Touring442]

Leave it well alone. If they move, they're not seized = perfectly ok.

[Olivergt]

Touring442 said:

Leave it well alone. If they move, they're not seized = perfectly ok.

That was my thinking as well. Thanks for the confirmation.

I had one pad on the rear that was completely worn away, whereas all the others were only half worn, this is what prompted my sticking piston thoughts. But the piston does push in, so it was more than likely where the pad sits on the caliper, which I have cleaned up and the new pads slide in/out on the caliper part just fine now.

Once I'm done, I'll add an update to the "what have you done today thread".