this is not a bash post, so please do not take it as such

I was replacing an inner CV boot on my buddy's 03 500i this yesterday (I had to do over a 1/2 dozen on my 98 AC400, so I know the drill), and I noticed the clip that holds the brake pad retention pin was missing.

If the pin falls out, the brake pads are coming out. You may not even notice it until you grab the brake and it goes to the handlebar. I didn't notice it happened to my rear brake on the 98 - good thing I was just backing up slowly when it happened. So this is the second time I've seen it happen.

With the pads gone there's enough clearance to push the puck past the seal and lose your fluid. As the brakes are unified, you have unified brake failure.

I hear the newer Cats have a better rear brake for back up, but if you have an older one you know you can't rely on the mechanical disc for much.

 

i lost the pin on my 03 but smome how noticed it soon the machine had less than 100 miles on it. found a pin the right side and duck taped it in cause it was too short worked great for 2 years and about 1000 miles better than new.
P.S. brakes are for wuss's

 

I keep hearing again and again how bad the brakes are and the foot brake, is the worst. I haven't had these problems at all and I don't think it's the machines either. I burnished the brakes big time (again when I changed the pads on my 2001), including the foot brake and gee, mine work great. Even the foot brake will lock up the rear axle. To what more can you ask?

As to the clips and pins, all mine are in place and sercure.

 

 

Sorry bout that last one. Was just trying to say that some time about 800 miles my rear caliper broke it lookes like it just cracked at a casting mark. I think it was on a trip where we were riding really fast through windy trais up in Iron River WI the temp droped 30 degrees in about an hour and started raining so we were left stranded with no warm clothes or rain gear. It was about forty degrees outside and raining. Well i just left the machine in 3rd gear and was just slamin the corners and started using the rear brake to help slow down cause when ever the brakes get wet their worthless and not there. Which is pretty scary. But my thoughts are the caliper broke there cause it never worked since. Plain and simple cat brakes suck on the 03 and older machines. Hope the 06 has better ones.

 

I also lost the pin and the brake pads. Hit the brakes and there was nothing, found that the brake piston had pushed out and hit the rotor and was spraying fluid everywhere. If you loose the piston I'd recomend that you upgrade to the 05 calipers, they are a floating caliper design and retain the pads much better.

And yes my 03 rear only brake is worthless.

 

Hey 1wook tell me more about your differentials i'm assuming you are talking about the gear ratio what kind of difference did that make.

 

Rice, in 02 and 03 the 500 autos came with 3.2 to 1 gears, I swapped out the complete diffs for used 3.6 geared with the selectable locker. It made a noticable difference.