brake pads

[fresco]

Does anyone else has this problem? i have a 2003 r1150r non abs and the last two times i been to BMW they give me pads that don't fit my bike, i'm talking the rear pads, they seem to be the correct fit, but are twice as thick as the pads i used to get before, therefore the don't leave room enough for the rotor to slide between them and all i get from them is "that is the correct part for your bike" i mean they don't even try to help you sort it out. I tried getting them thru amazon and got the same thing. whats going on, did something change on the specs or what? does any one know where i can get them?

[kirby]

You have to collapse the pistons in the caliper.(retract) Carefully use a screw driver (larger the better). put the pads in place and use the screw driver to widen the pads so to fit the disc.Try not dto damage the pads in the process. It will force brake fluid into the reservoir so you MAY have to remove some fluid.

[gregor]

If you can, tell us the pad thicknesses you complain of. The ABS rear pads look pretty thin IMHO . Perhaps retract the old pads, using the above method, to prevent later damage to the new ones.

[fresco]

mike i have done that because i have changed them before without a hitch, the issue is that they are not the same pads, the ones i get now are twice the thickness, if you haven't changed yours lately you might encounter this when you buy them now, what i had to do is install an old one together with a new one in order to fit the rotor. now i'm considering grinding the pads down to half their thickness in order to get them in.

[fresco]

Also the original ones are from Textra the new ones are Brembo or EBC

[kirby]

I have only replaced mine once in 200K. Do not use the rear much. Bought them from BMW dealer, and do not remember having any trouble.Either of you fixes would most likely work.
What your saying is that you have completely retracted the pistons. When you do that are they even with the caliper edge so that the full amount of the slot is available. If not then open the bleeds and let some fluid out until they are.

Call Beemer boneyard and explain the problem, they may be able to shed some light.

[skylarmav1]

I recently replaced the rear pads on my non-abs 02 and when I got to the point to get them installed in the caliper, it was difficult - let alone giving space to open them up for a rotor. Finally, I used a c-clamp(s) with some heavy shipping cardboard (to not mess up pistons) to work both pistons until they were flat against their base. I also had to open the line abit to relieve some pressure to get both pistons compressed flat. After that, while they were tight, I was able to install the pads into the caliper and fit everything over the rotor. These were EBC'S from the dealer as they said the BMW pads are $24 more expensive AND were not as good. Hope that helps.