Changing Air Filters to Rebuilding Calipers, a short story

"sefeing, actually bought an E46" (sefeing90)
04/20/2019 at 07:49 • Filed to: e46, BMW, 325I, Driveway Mechanic

So, before I bought this E46, I made a promise to myself that I’d use the fact that this is a car that will have typically higher repair / parts costs as a reason to attempt to do the majority of the work myself.

That said, I didn’t have much experience on directly working on cars outside of maybe 2 oil changes, some basic air filter / cabin air filter changes and swapping out radios / sound systems - electrical stuff.

So, a few weekends ago, I went over to a buddy’s house, who has a big collection of tools / compressors / etc, and said screw it, let’s start, I know the car needs new rotors and that looks fairly easy. Of course, on the way over, my right front caliper decided to start to stick. I noticed during the disc replacement that the dust boot on the caliper piston was unseated - so I ordered a rebuild kit.

The rebuild was hard, the piston didn’t want to come out, so we really put some force it. Eventually, after a few hours of hard work, we got it out & a new dust boot put back on. I think I may end up replacing the caliper anyway, the piston definitely had some corrosion from the dust boot not being on there. The car’s pulling to the left (the rebuild) a little bit, ONLY when I press the brakes.

But, all in all, I rebuilt a freaking brake caliper, and then bled the system. And it was an amazing feeling.

Along with the caliper, that day I went ahead and did air filter / cabin air filter / windshield cowl, and re-did the C-Pillar fabric (again... and It’s already starting to come loose again..).

Just. Do.

I can’t believe after this how much more confidence I have working on my car. And it feels like my car.

Just wanted to share my story :)

DISCUSSION (22)

pip bip - choose Corrour > sefeing, actually bought an E46
04/20/2019 at 08:22

getting your hands dirty is always fun

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > sefeing, actually bought an E46
04/20/2019 at 08:25

Nice!

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > sefeing, actually bought an E46
04/20/2019 at 08:34

Awesome. Next you’ll be dropping trans pans and replacing gaskets with the best of them. And since it’s an E46, you’ll be a cooling system expert.

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
04/20/2019 at 08:37

hahaha, just waiting...

Tranny fluid is high on my to-do right now

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/20/2019 at 08:37

Thanks :)

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > pip bip - choose Corrour
04/20/2019 at 08:37

Especially when you’ve got a friend to help when “oh crap oh crap i broke it what do i do” comes up

f86sabre > sefeing, actually bought an E46
04/20/2019 at 09:14

Well done! There is only one way to learn and you’ve started down that path.

I was in much the same place about 15 years ago. Minimal automotive knowledge. Then my friend and I bought a car to build into a LeMons race car. With the help of a knowledgeable friend we gutted it and caged it. Over the years we’ve changed suspension, clutches and pulled the engine a few times. The fear fades away.

After a while you realize that most cars a built with a modular construction and that things come apart and go together pretty easy. Most cars anyway...

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > sefeing, actually bought an E46
04/20/2019 at 09:16

Brake s Might Work.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > sefeing, actually bought an E46
04/20/2019 at 09:42

Did you clean off the corrosion from the piston and hone the cylinder? If not the new orings may not last long. learned that one the hard way

BreakMyWallet > sefeing, actually bought an E46
04/20/2019 at 10:32

How’d you pull the piston? I find a little compressed air in the brake hose fitting (with a wood block to act as a stopper) and the pistons usually shoot right on outta there. Rock A uto actually carries E46 caliper pistons if yours has any putting/corrosion.

BreakMyWallet > sefeing, actually bought an E46
04/20/2019 at 10:33

Is it an auto trans? Boy, that fill plug is a son of a gun to break loose the first time.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > sefeing, actually bought an E46
04/20/2019 at 10:34

Re moving the piston is usually easy. Break everything down but leave the line connected, then press the pedal. The slug should pretty much pop right out.

CompactLuxuryFan > sefeing, actually bought an E46
04/20/2019 at 12:21

Nice! Congrats on the camera work/lighting, too? First one looks like a stock photo.

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > BreakMyWallet
04/20/2019 at 13:14

yessir. Oh boy... haha

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > f86sabre
04/20/2019 at 13:15

The same friend who’s garage I use just bought a welder, so a few of us are thinking of tackling LeMons in the next year or two :)

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > BreakMyWallet
04/20/2019 at 13:16

I’d planned to go the compressed air route, but my friend lent the compressor to another friend until later that day, so we ended up using channel locks - trying to be VERY careful not to crab anything below the gasket, to not mess up that seal.

there is some pitting & corr osion I wasn’t able to get out with a wire brush / brake cleaner, so that might be the route I go...

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > CompactLuxuryFan
04/20/2019 at 13:16

Thanks :). Had a buddy with an A7r there, and I took his photos into lightroom & had some fun

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
04/20/2019 at 13:17

yeah - to the best of my ability, with a wire brush & brake cleaner. I have a feeling I’ll need a new piston or caliper soon though... and I’ll just do both fronts at that point.

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja:
04/20/2019 at 13:18

The route we should’ve gone... Or air compressor - I removed the caliper thinking he had his compressor, but it was at another friend’s house, so we ended up using channel locks - not the best, but it got the job done.

f86sabre > sefeing, actually bought an E46
04/20/2019 at 14:17

Its huge fun. Do it. We ran an Escort. Cheap, simple and reliable.

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > f86sabre
04/20/2019 at 14:37

We’re highly considering converting my buddy’s 2008 Vibe, once he decided to get a new car. Maybe even chop the top (and add a cage...)

f86sabre > sefeing, actually bought an E46
04/20/2019 at 18:43

Many Vibe related themes. Some family friendly and some not.