e39 "Check brake linings" message
e39 "Check brake linings" message
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Discussion

Scamp's Walker

Original Poster:

314 posts

238 months

Tuesday 29th July 2008
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Drove car for first time in three weeks earlier today and "check brake linings" message came up. Wasn't on the last time I drove it! Not in a position to get them checked for a couple of days. Should it go away after I have givrn the car a good run or should I just replace them?

Also, how will I know which ones to replace, and what is the best value pad to buy and from where?

Aplogies for all the questions!

< FORZA WEST

1,038 posts

238 months

Tuesday 29th July 2008
quotequote all
The pad with the sensor on that is worn is within about 1000 miles from metal to metal-but that depends on the condition of the discs and how the pad has worn.
It is fitted to the pad on the piston side of the caliper which will always be the quickest wearing.What it wont tell is how low the other side is,so as soon as you can get them checked.You wont know which end it is unless you have instrument cluster high(with on board computer and check messages),however if you can see through the spokes of the alloys you maybe able to see the outer pads which will give you a hint as to which end is low.

I only ever fit genuine as there is never a come back due to chattering or squeeling which i tend to find with non genuine.If you do go non genuine make sure its a good make.

[TW]Fox

13,575 posts

275 months

Wednesday 30th July 2008
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I did the front brake pads on my 530i (oddly the pad with the most life left was the one with the wear sensor connected) and went for Jurid pads from GSF. They were £34+vat.

The pads I removed from the car, fitted by BMW at huge expense, were also Jurid pads with exactly the same part number.

Scamp's Walker

Original Poster:

314 posts

238 months

Wednesday 30th July 2008
quotequote all
Do each of the calipers have a sensor? Or did I misunderstand? As it is the kids' summer hols, presumably I can drive it short term! If they are worn then presumably I am best replacing all the pads whilst I'm at it rather than just do back or front? If this message has come up i am guessing that I need to replace the sensor as well?

< FORZA WEST

1,038 posts

238 months

Wednesday 30th July 2008
quotequote all
No,there are 2 sensors-nearside front and offside rear

8Tech

2,212 posts

227 months

Thursday 31st July 2008
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The fact you need pads on one axle has no bearing on the other so I would check both front and rear and just do the necessary. I recommend you fit a new sensor wire too as the old one is now probably not reuseable and they do not come with the pads.

Depending on disc wear, you should have a comfortable 1000m left, the worse the discs, the more mileage left in the pads.

Scamp's Walker

Original Poster:

314 posts

238 months

Thursday 31st July 2008
quotequote all
RealOEM lists my pads as Textar T4070 (f), T4071 (r) but also says "see MH 0027571". Is that a code for something. Have tried to look up the code but just says that it is incorrect! Am hoping that replacing the pads will be straightforward, am I kidding myself? Have replaced pads on various other makes of cars including a J reg 525i so am fairly competent! Is it worth checking the handbrake pads etc while I am at it, if they are rears?

Edited by Scamp's Walker on Thursday 31st July 20:49

Kerry540

55 posts

220 months

Friday 1st August 2008
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Replacing pads is very straightforward and to turn the warning light out, turn on ignition and do not start engine. Leave a few minutes, turn off ignition and warning light will be reset.

To replace the handbrake SHOES you have to remove rear calipers and discs but they are worth checking, cleaning and adjusting.

Scamp's Walker

Original Poster:

314 posts

238 months

Friday 1st August 2008
quotequote all
Nice man at local dealer tells me that it is likely to be front not back but if I run it in they will do a courtesy inspection for me for free! But am going to do that myself, just going to take off the relevant wheel, per Forza West's sensor placement advice and go from there! Will check out the handbrake as well, why do they need cleaning?

Kerry540

55 posts

220 months

Friday 1st August 2008
quotequote all
The handbrake shoes fit inside the rear discs and operate the same as a drum brake so there is nowhere for the brake dust to escape properly. the dust builds up and seizes the automatic adjusters in no time. When apart, this can all be cleaned out and the shoes checked for cracks (common). The shoes can then be adjusted manually, deglazed and discs refitted.

This is SUPPOSED to be done on an Inspection service but seldom is.

When Phoenix Motorsport did my service, you could have built a sand castle with the dust that came out and the shoes were detaching from the backing plates. Remarkable improvement in handbrake efficiency now.

Kerry, xxx

Scamp's Walker

Original Poster:

314 posts

238 months

Friday 1st August 2008
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Phoenix Motorsport in Camberley?

Kerry540

55 posts

220 months

Saturday 2nd August 2008
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Yes.

Scamp's Walker

Original Poster:

314 posts

238 months

Saturday 2nd August 2008
quotequote all
Thanks Kerry

n3il123

2,842 posts

242 months

Wednesday 20th August 2008
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Just got this message on mine.

Looking at GSF for pads and it says "brake pad set" does this mean pads for all 4 wheels or pads for 2 wheels and the pads are the same size?

[TW]Fox

13,575 posts

275 months

Wednesday 20th August 2008
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It means enough pads for the front wheels - 2 for each wheel.

n3il123

2,842 posts

242 months

Thursday 21st August 2008
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Cheers!

I realised my mistake when I saw that they also sold rear pads!