i need urgent help!

sm32589g

sm32589g

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#1
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#1
i bought some brembo brakes for my 1999 323is but the rears don't fit. the fronts fit. the fronts match the rear according to the shape and way it would fit onto the hub but it seems like the rears are different they look like you have to take out the center nut to take it out along with the axle but i am not sure. the fronts you just remove the allen hex bolt and it comes right off. so is there another way to remove it or are the brakes that i have the wrong ones?
...if you need more info(incase i didn't clarify) just ask but please write your inquiries. thanks
 
B

Big Daddy

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#2
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#2
I looked in the book, "The Complete Book of BMW" and Realoem and could not find any listings for a 1999 323is, they list a 323i, but no "is" model. However here is a photo from Realoem of the rear brakes of a 1999 323i, does your look like this?



And here is a photo of the Brembo rotor that is supposed to fit your car?
 
B

Big Daddy

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#7
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#7
The big nnut in the middle should not have anything to do with the brake rotor and is related to the hub and axle. Try smacking the rotor with a rubber hammer or kick it with you heels, it may just be rusted in place.

 
selavia

selavia

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#8
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#8
You may have to smack it pretty damn hard if it's really frozen.

Also, MAKE SURE YOUR E-BRAKE is OFF!!! If your e-brake is on, it won't come out without ripping out your shoes.
 
selavia

selavia

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#11
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#11
I shouldn't HAVE to say this, but just in case:

When you're e-brake is off, (if you've only jacked up the back end of your car) MAKE SURE YOU HAVE FIRMLY JAMMED THE FRONT TIRES AGAINST SOMETHING.

If it's really frozen, you're going to have to have either a lot of patience to tap it evenly or the right amount of brute force. And either way you go, you'll be shaking the car, and your e brake and power wheels are on the back meaning your car could roll.

Be safe.
Sean
 
Kirby

Kirby

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#12
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#12
The Ebrake shoes are holding it on. Even with the Ebrake off, a ridge of dirt/rust can develop on the inside of the Edrum. It makes it difficult to remove the rotor.

Take a look at Pelican's article on adjusting the Ebrake. You should use this info to BACK OFF the Ebrake shoes and get more clearance to make it easier to come off. It also helps to turn the rotor as you pull it, almost like screwing it off of the shoes.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Ebrake_Adjustment/E36-Ebrake_Adjustment.htm


 
sm32589g

sm32589g

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#14
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#14
what i did was take off the e-brake then took out the caliper, and tried to hit the rotor out after unscrewing the hex nut but no luck i didn't hit it very hard though. i can't proceed to remove the rotor because its my dads car and he's convinced that the nut in the middle holds the rotor in place and he doesnt want to hit the rotor too hard to warp it. what do i do now? i had an idea as to pop it in neautral so you can tap around the rotor but we havent tried that yet. please help me convince him. P.S. are you sure thats how the 1999's are, they arent different than the 1998? thanks
 
E30m42cab

E30m42cab

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#15
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#15
I don't drive a E36, but the big center nut should be your wheel bearing nut. don't remove it. If you didn't hit it hard, hit it harder. I've had the same problem with my E30. It does come off with a little brute force. A rubber hammer won't work very well though.. If you have a "dead blow" hammer use it, or if you have a woodworking hammer, put a block of wood on the disc, and hit the wood block. You can tell if the Ebrake is off by putting it in Neutral, and if it doesn't spin, put a couple of the wheel bolts on, and put a big screw driver or breaker bar, or whatever, between the bolt and try to rotate the dics... if it doesn't move, the Ebrake is still on, or your other wheel is still touching the ground. That's all I can offer.
Good Luck

Scott
 
E30m42cab

E30m42cab

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#17
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#17
well, the diff will lock up the other wheel... it should release unless it's seized up. If you wan't put the car back together, lower it, drive it without the Ebrake on, and pull back into your driveway, jack up the whole rear end, and then take it appart again, and then give'er with the hammer. Don't be shy. It will come off. Don't remove that center nut though.

Don't drive it too much though... otherwise the brakes will be way too hot to work on right away.

It's just like the guy who was trying to take his wheels off, and one wouldn't come off... it's just stuck to the hub... just kick it.

you just have to hit it with a hammer like you mean it.
 
Kirby

Kirby

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#19
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#19
I GUARANTEE the nut in the center is not holding it on. As others have said, that is the axle shaft that holds the axle to the hub. You won't get that nut off unless you have serious tools. As I recall it's 200+ foot lbs.

DID YOU RELEASE THE TENSION ON THE EBRAKE cables? This IS NOT just lowering the handle to the released position. You should pull up the rubber EBrake boot and loosen the cable retaining nuts (2 cables, each with 2 nuts) at the base of the handle until you have 1/2" or so free play in the cable.

If you don't at least do this, you are going to continue to fight with it more than necessary.
 
B

Big Daddy

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#20
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#20
ANd after following Kirby's advice regarding the e-brake use a rubber hammer, that is what they are made for and they do work. (we are not talking about a soft rubber compound, it is almost as hard as a metal hammer, but you do not get the metal to metal damage caused by a metal hammer.)

Again the center nut does NOT hold the brake rotor on!
 
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