Recommended replacement interval for the part category Brake caliper : 100000 km

Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 316 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 328 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 320 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 323 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 320 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 320 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 325 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 316 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 320 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 316 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 316 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 320 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 320 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 323 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 325 xi … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change brake caliper on BMW E46 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Brake Calipers for 3 Saloon (E46) and other BMW models

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Replacement: brake caliper – BMW E46. List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #9
                    
                      Flare nut spanner #14
                    
                      HEX bit No.H7.
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Flat Screwdriver
                    
                      Brake bleeder kit
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: brake caliper – BMW E46. Tip from AUTODOC experts:

The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right brake calipers on the same axle.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: brake caliper – BMW E46. Take the following steps:

Step 1

Open the bonnet. Unscrew the brake fluid reservoir cap.
Step 2

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 3

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.

Step 4

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 5

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: brake caliper – BMW E46. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 6

Remove the wheel.
Step 7

Detach the brake caliper retaining spring. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 8

Remove the dust boot caps of the brake caliper guide pins. Use a crowbar.
Step 9

Clean the area where the brake hose is connected to the caliper, and the guide pins area. Use a wire brush. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: brake caliper – BMW E46. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 10

Loosen the brake hose fastening. Use a flare nut spanner #14.
Step 11

Clean the brake caliper fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 12

Unscrew the brake caliper fastening. Use HEX No.H7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 13

Spread the brake pads. Use a crowbar.
Step 14

Remove the brake caliper.

Replacement: brake caliper – BMW E46. AUTODOC recommends:
When replacing the brake caliper, it is recommended to check the brake hose for damages and, if necessary, to replace it with a new one. When replacing a brake caliper it is recommended to replace brake pads, check the state of the brake discs and replace them with new ones if necessary.Check the brake caliper bracket, brake caliper guide pins and boots. Clean them. Replace, if necessary.Don't press the brake pedal after the brake caliper has been removed. As a result, the piston can fall out from the brake cylinder, and brake fluid leakage and depressurization of the system may occur.
Step 15

Remove the brake pads.
Step 16

Unscrew the brake hose from the brake caliper. Use a flare nut spanner #14.
Step 17

Treat the brake hose. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: brake caliper – BMW E46. Tip from AUTODOC:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 18

Install and fix the brake hose into a new caliper.
Step 19

Install the brake pads.

Replacement: brake caliper – BMW E46. AUTODOC experts recommend:
If going to use the old brake pads, clean them.Use a wire brush.
Step 20

Install the brake caliper and fix it. Use HEX No.H7. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 30 nm torque.
Step 21

Install the dust boot caps of the brake caliper guide pins.
Step 22

Undo the brake bleeder screw. Use a combination spanner #9.
Step 23

Connect the brake bleeder kit to the brake bleeder screw.
Step 24

Bleed the brake caliper system. Without starting the engine, press the brake pedal several times until you feel significant resistance.
Step 25

Disconnect the brake bleeder kit.

Step 26

Tighten the brake caliper bleed screw. Use a combination spanner #9. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 10 Nm torque.
Step 27

Clean dirt from the brake hose bolt. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: brake caliper – BMW E46. Tip:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 28

Install the brake caliper retaining spring. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 29

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 30

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: brake caliper – BMW E46. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 32

Install the wheel.

Replacement: brake caliper – BMW E46. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 33

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 34

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 35

Remove the jacks and chocks.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Replacement: brake caliper – BMW E46. Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir and top up if necessary.
Step 36

Tighten the brake fluid reservoir cap. Close the hood.

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