BMW Brake caliper rear and front

BMW Brake calipers: find out more! How to choose, when to change , and how much they cost

Are the front and rear brake calipers the same in BMW vehicles?

No. These parts vary according to the following characteristics:

• Material: They are often made from either cast iron, steel, or aluminium. Aluminium components are fitted on the front axle of some modern vehicles as they have better cooling properties, and cast iron parts are fitted on the rear axle.
• Additional features: Integrated parking brake. Some calipers include a mechanically or electronically driven integrated parking brake. Mechanical components are driven by an actuating cable mechanism, while electric ones are driven by a servomotor.

It is also important to consider the thickness of the brake discs. Many BMW vehicles are designed with ventilated front brake discs and non-ventilated rear brake discs. This also affects structure and design of the mechanism.

What are the warning signs that the brake calipers need to be replaced?

• Loss of vehicle stability
• Spontaneous braking
• Increased fuel consumption
• The smell of burning
• A decrease in the brake fluid level in the tank
• The wheel hub gets very hot
• Changes in the position and resistance of the brake pedal

If these symptoms emerge, the brake calipers need to be inspected. This inspection consists of several steps:

• First of all, check the component for leaks.
• Then remove the brake pads and inspect them. Uneven wear is often a symptom of jammed pistons and guides.
• Raise the vehicle and spin the wheel with your hands. It should rotate without any problems.
• Try to remove and insert the piston back into the housing of the mechanism. Use a special pressing tool to do this. Note that when checking a brake unit with an electric parking brake, the system must be switched to service mode beforehand. If it is impossible to insert the piston into place, it is most likely faulty.

Do I need to replace any other components when installing new brakes on my BMW?

All of the brake pads on the same axle also need to be replaced. While doing so, inspect the brake discs. If there are cracks, signs of thermal damage, dents, and other defects, install new ones.