Replacing brake pads

[Warren100uk]

Hi All,

I am going to replace the brake pads on the front and rear of my mini but a couple of points have me confused.

First off, I have watched a lot of videos on replacing the brakes and looks pretty straight forward and also from the Haynes manual. But I am confused as no video I have watched have said anything about having to bleed the brakes to push the pistons back on. The Haynes manual says to do it, so is it needed or can I just push them in?

Same thing with the hand brake, videos don't show any messing around with the hand brake but the Haynes manual says I have to undo a bolt on the hand brake. If the car is secure and hand brake off do I need to mess with it.

Finally, should I use copper grease on the back on the new pads. Mintex say don't but again most videos say to apply a small amount.

Never done pads before and keen to have a go but these bits are confusing me.

Any advise would be great. Cheers all

[Elliot2000]

If your changing pads and discs then u don’t need to bleed the brakes

Rear brakes - pistons need to be wound back not just pushed back. After doing the rear pads U need to pump the handbrake BEFORE pumping the pedal

The nut under the handbrake is for adjustment if it’s too high to low

[Warren100uk]

Hi Elliott, thanks for your reply. Don't the front pistons push back in and the rear wound with the tool?

So great I don't have to mess with the hand brake, so is it just a case of having the handbrake off at the time of fitting the new pads? Cheers

[bearman68]

Elliot2000 said:

If your changing pads and discs then u don’t need to bleed the brakes

Rear brakes - pistons need to be wound back not just pushed back.

Correct - you need something like this:- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vidaXL-Disc-Brake-Calip...
This is the cheapest kit I can find - there are more comprehensive / expensive kits out there.

After doing the rear pads U need to pump the handbrake BEFORE pumping the pedal

This is categorically incorrect. Foot brakes must be worked before the handbrake.

The nut under the handbrake is for adjustment if it’s too high to low

Correct.

[Warren100uk]

Thanks for the info Bearman, much appreciated. I have the tool for the rear already with the part for a mini. Didnt need all the other parts so didn't buy a full set.

Cheers

[Hammer67]

My advice would be to get someone, who knows what they are about, to assist/watch over you doing it.

Brakes are relatively straight forward to do but equally easy to get wrong and/or damage something.

Not having a dig at you, OP, just my three penny worth.

[Warren100uk]

Hi Hammer, thanks for the that. The Haynes manual has is as a job that can be done even by someone with basic mechanical skills. Think its worth a go. Luckly the car is not my main mode of transport so not to much of an issue if something breaks. Think I will just do the fronts first then do the backs.

[Hammer67]

Warren100uk said:

Hi Hammer, thanks for the that. The Haynes manual has is as a job that can be done even by someone with basic mechanical skills. Think its worth a go. Luckly the car is not my main mode of transport so not to much of an issue if something breaks. Think I will just do the fronts first then do the backs.

Yup, I get that but still, get someone to watch over your shoulder.

[Elliot2000]

bearman68 said:

Elliot2000 said:

If your changing pads and discs then u don’t need to bleed the brakes

Rear brakes - pistons need to be wound back not just pushed back.

Correct - you need something like this:- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vidaXL-Disc-Brake-Calip...
This is the cheapest kit I can find - there are more comprehensive / expensive kits out there.

After doing the rear pads U need to pump the handbrake BEFORE pumping the pedal

This is categorically incorrect. Foot brakes must be worked before the handbrake.

The nut under the handbrake is for adjustment if it’s too high to low

Correct.

I was just about to moan and say I worked on these cars for over ten years previously- but god damn it - you were right - amazing how easily you start to forget things when u stop working on them!

[bearman68]

Elliot2000 said:

I was just about to moan and say I worked on these cars for over ten years previously- but god damn it - you were right - amazing how easily you start to forget things when u stop working on them!

Damn, that doesn't sound typical of an internet forum. Very good of you to say so sir. A true gentleman.

[Henz]

Have done my fronts several times and find it very simple. Came to do the rears for the 1st time and got a bit caught out, partly my fault, part learning as I go.

The most frustrating part was when I finally got the rewind tool working and it twisted the rubber boot with with the piston.
Once I popped the piston back out a bit, I dabbed a bit of WD40 under the lip of the boot (used a bit on my finger). Started winding the piston back in, taking it easy and checking the boot as I went, and then no issues.

Good luck, it is satisfying when you do it yourself.

[Warren100uk]

Hi Henz, cheers for the advise. I went to do them the other day, stumbled at the first hurdle! All of the disk screws are rounded off so can't get them off. Tried for over an hour. I recently bought the car and guess someone tried to get them off before but messed up the screw and gave up. By the looks of it, the disks have not been changed for a very long time. They will need to be drilled out, so booked it into my garage and decided to get them to do it and also all the brakes whilst it's there. I did want to do it myself, not to save money but I enjoy learning new things and am pretty technically minded.

The mini is always giving me things to do, so sure I will get my hands dirty again. Just the life of a second hand mini owner. Thanks

[this is my username]

I did my rear disks and pads recent and the thing I was most concerned about beforehand was the Torx screw which holds the disk in place

I ended up buying a cheap (£20) pneumatic impact wrench and used that. I can’t tell you what it would have been like without it, but the impact wrench made the job very easy.

[Henz]

Warren100uk said:

Hi Henz, cheers for the advise. I went to do them the other day, stumbled at the first hurdle! All of the disk screws are rounded off so can't get them off. Tried for over an hour. I recently bought the car and guess someone tried to get them off before but messed up the screw and gave up. By the looks of it, the disks have not been changed for a very long time. They will need to be drilled out, so booked it into my garage and decided to get them to do it and also all the brakes whilst it's there. I did want to do it myself, not to save money but I enjoy learning new things and am pretty technically minded.

The mini is always giving me things to do, so sure I will get my hands dirty again. Just the life of a second hand mini owner. Thanks

Ah that is a pain! I remember my fronts being a pain and snapped a torx bit before getting it off.

Did my rears this week, steeled myself for battle and it came off fairly easily. Hit snags elsewhere of course.

[Warren100uk]

All sorted now after being done at the garage. Turns out that my back rear caliper was frozen too , so glad i didn't have to get into that when doing it my self.

Cheers for everyones advise