Brake Noise

[drewdogg77]

i change d my brake pads 6000 miles ago but 50% of the time my brakes squeal,, the dealer replaced all 4 pads and cut the rotors,, the car then had 30,000 miles now it has 36000 and like i said 50% of the time they squeal,, took it back and they said the pads are good cause it says i have 25,000 miles left on the pads.... Anyone have an idea how i can get rid of the squeal?

[Opie55]

Well, sometimes they just squeal and the only way to fix it is to get new pads. You probably have more than 25,000 miles left, but telling you that the pads are "good" by looking at the mileage counter is useless. I could have told you that without looking at your car. Wear has nothing to do with why they squeal. If it were my car, I'd remove the pads, clean everything up good, re-lube the pad backs and all contact points, pass the pad faces over sandpaper a couple times, reinstall and try again. If it came back, I'd buy a different brand of pads or ceramic pads. But since you paid a dealer to do your brakes, I gather what I described is not something you are going to do yourself.

[ezmaass]

Are the pads and rotors OEM? To be honest, the OEM setup on the 6 (aside from M6, I gather) is just not sufficient for the weight. They're OK but not great. That said, I've not experienced them squealing - ever.

Some brakes need to be more heavily exercised, and if they're not, they begin to squeal. Have you tried doing any repeated emergency stops? Also, probably a silly question, but have you checked for excessive brake dust?

[drewdogg77]

The pads and rotors are OEM, i will however try to take them to a local shop like u guys said and have them cleaned up with sandpaper and relubed to see if that works, but one question though if i change the pads i would have to change the rotors too right??

[Luftpost]

No, rotors do not need to be exchanged when pads are replaced (assuming rotors are within OEM spec). However, pads should be replaced when rotors are replaced because the pads take the shape of the rotor over time.

L

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by drewdogg77

The pads and rotors are OEM, i will however try to take them to a local shop like u guys said and have them cleaned up with sandpaper and relubed to see if that works, but one question though if i change the pads i would have to change the rotors too right??

To have a shop do that you might as well just have them swap the pads because the labor will be the same. Unless just one wheel squeals.

[drewdogg77]

Agreed but do u think i should put oem pads? if not do u have any suggestions for a good aftermarket pad with not a lot of brake dust kick off?

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by drewdogg77

Agreed but do u think i should put oem pads? if not do u have any suggestions for a good aftermarket pad with not a lot of brake dust kick off?

I assume the ones that squeal are OEM? If so, I'd try ceramic pads. Whatever you do, don't buy regular Ate brand pads. Put them on my X3 and they are the dustiest pads I've ever seen.

[drewdogg77]

yes they are oem but i thought ceramic makes noise?

[Luftpost]

I have had good luck in the past with Akebono on my other BMW’s. They are very very low dust, however brake performance is compromised slightly. There will always be a trade off. Better brake performance=more dust.

As far as the squealing is concerned, that could be several things. Pad backing lube, pad material, glazing on rotor, improper installation, etc.

Like ezmaass mentioned on an earlier post, I would give it an Italian tuneup. Give the brakes some good strong braking applications, several of them. Keep in mind, that this is where common sense can go a long way......This can help the pads bed into the rotors better, seat the pads, etc.

If that does not work, take it back in, if your not comfortable working on it yourself. They may charge you for it, but if it bothers you that bad, then I guess it’s worth it.

L

[JBF650]

Originally Posted by ezmaass

Are the pads and rotors OEM? To be honest, the OEM setup on the 6 (aside from M6, I gather) is just not sufficient for the weight. They're OK but not great. That said, I've not experienced them squealing - ever.

Some brakes need to be more heavily exercised, and if they're not, they begin to squeal. Have you tried doing any repeated emergency stops? Also, probably a silly question, but have you checked for excessive brake dust?

Ezmaass.... you know something.... I tend to agree with you. If I’m being very honest it’s about the one little silent grip I have with Shark. Most certainly my car stops well and I can put it on its nose quickly, however in my heart of hearts sometimes I have thought hmmmm these brakes could and should be better..... they sure as hell dust up my bloody alloys quick enough I would have expected them to have more bite

That said, my pads don’t squeal, if some brake grease doesn’t solve it then yes use them hard for a while and get the pads bedded in. Bmw pads are traditionally soft, they will dust very quickly.

[drewdogg77]

ok i've tried braking hard few times before but i guess i'll do it few more times if that doesn't work ill just slap some new pads on,,, thanks for the info guys i appreciate it....