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Disassembly and Replacement of Brake Rotors and Pads

Model: BMW Serie 3 E46 - Years 1998-2006
Part: Brake rotors

Lift the vehicle on a hydraulic lift or on appropriate jack stands and remove the wheel corresponding to the repair area.
To remove the rotor mounting bolt, block the rotor's rotation by inserting a screwdriver or an Allen wrench into one of the vent holes of the rotor and pressing it against the brake caliper: at this point, unscrew the rotor mounting bolt.
Next, detach the retaining spring of the pads, remove the protective caps from the caliper mounting bolts, and unscrew the bolts to remove the caliper. Also remove the caliper support bolts and take it off along with the rotor.
Clean the hub of any oxide residues and install the new rotor by tightening the corresponding mounting bolt.
Using a clamp, retract the caliper piston to accommodate the new pads; reinstall the caliper support, place the new pads in the caliper, and tighten the corresponding mounting bolts; finally, reposition the retaining spring and the protective caps.
Proceed in the same manner on the other wheels, ensuring to properly connect the wear sensor if present, securely fastening the corresponding cable.

Updated on 3 February 2026 by ScegliAuto

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