How to Change the Brake Light Switch on a BMW

1. Climb down into the drivers side foot well area and pull the cotter pin out from the retaining pin that connects the brake pedal to the brake booster assembly. Use a pair of pliers.
2. Slide the brake booster-to-brake pedal retaining pin out of the brake booster mounting bracket. This will disconnect the brake pedal from the brake booster.
3. Lift up on the brake pedal and unplug the electrical connector running to the brake light switch behind the brake pedal.
4. Unbolt the bolts holding the brake light switch to the firewall and pull the switch off the firewall.
5. Install the new switch. Installation is the reverse of removal. When replacing the retaining pin that connects the brake pedal to the brake booster, slide the cotter pin through the small hole in the end of the pin and bend the cotter pin back over the retaining pin. This will secure the retaining pin in place and prevent it from accidentally sliding out of the brake booster mounting bracket.

How to Replace Front Brake Pads on a Mercedes C230

1. Park the C230 on a flat surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Place tire blocks behind the rear wheels.
3. Loosen the lug nuts on the Mercedes front wheels with the lug wrench.
4. Place the jack beneath the frame in the front of the vehicle and lift the front tires off the ground. Place two jack stands under the vehicle, one under each axle.
5. Remove the lug nuts and take the front wheels off.
6. Pull the spring clip from the outside of the caliper with a pair of pliers.
7. Remove the dust covers from the caliper slide bolts with a flat screwdriver. Remove both slide bolts on each caliper with a 14 mm socket wrench.
8. Lift the caliper from the caliper bridge and suspend it from the upper steering arm with a bungee cord or wire coat hanger--do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake line.
9. Open the brake bleed valve on the caliper with a 10 mm wrench. Place a drip pan below the caliper to capture the brake fluid that will flow from the bleed valve during the caliper piston depression.
10. Place the C-clamp over the piston and the back of the caliper. Squeeze the piston to force it into the side of the brake caliper. This will allow the caliper to fit over the new brake pads, which will be thicker than the outgoing, worn pads.
11. Remove the C-clamp from the caliper once the pistons have been completely depressed within the side of the caliper. Close the brake bleed valve with the 10 mm wrench. Dispose of the expelled brake fluid properly (see epa.gov for your states regulations on disposal of hazardous materials).
12. Remove the two brake pads from the slots of the caliper bracket.
13. Apply brake grease to the back side of each of the brake pads and slide them into the caliper bracket slots on either side of the Mercedes rotor.
14. Replace the caliper over the new brake pads in the caliper bracket slots and screw in the caliper bolts with the 14 mm socket wrench. Insert the spring clip back into the caliper.
15. Repeat the process (steps 6 through 14) for the other front brake pads.
16. Replace the front wheels onto the C230s wheel bolts and screw on the lug nuts.
17. Lift the front of the Mercedes and remove the jack stands. Lower the front tires to the ground and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench.

How to Replace the Front Brake Pads on a Mercedes 300 SE

1. Loosen the lug nuts on each front wheel slightly with the tire iron, turning them no more than 1/2 turn each. Firmly apply the parking brake. Slide the jack under the frame on one side of the front end and lift until the tire has cleared the ground. Unscrew the lug nuts the rest of the way and pull the wheel off.
2. Unbolt and the brake caliper with a socket wrench and remove it from the rotor. Hold it securely to prevent excess stress being placed on the brake line. Work a flat-head screwdriver behind the old pads and pry them out.
3. Place the new brake pads inside the caliper and press them all the way to the back of the housing. Make sure the tabs are firmly secured within the inset. Replace the caliper, tightening the bolts that were previously removed.
4. Reinstall the wheel and torque down the lug nuts. Lower the vehicle and finish tightening the lug nuts. Perform the same procedure on the other front wheel.

How to Replace the Front Brake Pads on a Mercedes 300 SE

1. Loosen the lug nuts on each front wheel slightly with the tire iron, turning them no more than 1/2 turn each. Firmly apply the parking brake. Slide the jack under the frame on one side of the front end and lift until the tire has cleared the ground. Unscrew the lug nuts the rest of the way and pull the wheel off.
2. Unbolt and the brake caliper with a socket wrench and remove it from the rotor. Hold it securely to prevent excess stress being placed on the brake line. Work a flat-head screwdriver behind the old pads and pry them out.
3. Place the new brake pads inside the caliper and press them all the way to the back of the housing. Make sure the tabs are firmly secured within the inset. Replace the caliper, tightening the bolts that were previously removed.
4. Reinstall the wheel and torque down the lug nuts. Lower the vehicle and finish tightening the lug nuts. Perform the same procedure on the other front wheel.

How to Change VW Rear Brake Pads

1. Park your VW on a flat, level surface. Loosen, but do not remove, the lug nuts that hold the rear wheels with a tire iron or lug wrench. Raise the rear of the vehicle with a high-quality floor jack and lower it onto jack stands placed on either side of the car. Never work on a car that is supported only by a floor jack, for safety reasons.
2. Finish removing the lug nuts on either side of the car, then pull the wheels off of the hubs and set them aside. Spray brake cleaner on the brake components, including the brake caliper, rotor and nearby components. Wipe everything down with a clean rag.
3. Locate the brake caliper bolts, also called caliper pins. These face the wheel well and are located on the top and bottom of the caliper. Use the appropriately sized socket or hex wrench to loosen and remove the bolts. The type and size of bolt will vary depending on the year and model of VW. You may also need to hold an open-ended wrench on the inboard side of the nut to help loosen it. Remove the large spring clips on the outside of the caliper with pair of pliers, if your calipers have them.
4. Slide the caliper off of the rotor. Support the caliper on a platform or tie it to the suspension with a piece of wire so that there is no weight on the soft brake line, which could potentially damage it. Disconnect the wire for the brake pad wear sensor; older VWs will not have this sensor. Remove the old brake pads from the caliper. Depending on the model, the pads may also still be attached to the brake caliper bracket.
5. Remove the lid for the brake master cylinder in the engine bay or in the case of the VW Bug (not the new Beetle) in the front trunk. Remove a small amount of the brake fluid with a syringe so that it does not overflow when the piston in the caliper is compressed. On newer VWs, the caliper piston is compressed by placing a special caliper tool on the piston and then turning the tool to compress the piston in the caliper. On older VWs, you can simply use a C-clamp. Place an old pad on the piston, and compress the piston with the clamp to make room for the new, thicker pads.
6. Install the new brake pads in the same orientation that the old ones were installed. Reconnect the brake pad wear sensor, if applicable. Slide the caliper back over the rotor. Install and tighten the brake caliper bolts. Reinstall the caliper spring clips with a pair of pliers. Repeat the above steps for the other side of the car. Replace the wheels and lower the car to the ground. Fill the brake fluid reservoir with fresh brake fluid. Pump the brakes until the pedal feels firm.