[Powaup]

After doing some research and hearing feedback, decided to do this in order to get rid of the horrendous brake squeal I've been experiencing. Turns out it made no difference, any advice on ceramic pads that won't squeal ? I won't be tracking the car

[john16443]

Not the best video, but at least they got across the point to apply a thin layer of grease across the back of the pad, and the sides.

What they didn't show is that it's always a good idea to spray some brake cleaner on an old toothbrush, and clean the insides of the caliper housings where the pads ride. Inside and outside. Also, clean all the brake dust off the caliper pins and apply a very light coating to them before inserting. There is absolutely no reason to apply grease to the ears on the pads.

If you're still getting squealing, I'm going to say it's when you first apply the brakes backing out of the driveway, or your first stop on a cool/cold morning. Just make your first stop a firm one to get some heat into the brakes, and it should go away for the rest of the trip.

[Powaup]

Originally Posted by john16443

Not the best video, but at least they got across the point to apply a thin layer of grease across the back of the pad, and the sides.

What they didn't show is that it's always a good idea to spray some brake cleaner on an old toothbrush, and clean the insides of the caliper housings where the pads ride. Inside and outside. Also, clean all the brake dust off the caliper pins and apply a very light coating to them before inserting. There is absolutely no reason to apply grease to the ears on the pads.

If you're still getting squealing, I'm going to say it's when you first apply the brakes backing out of the driveway, or your first stop on a cool/cold morning. Just make your first stop a firm one to get some heat into the brakes, and it should go away for the rest of the trip.

Unfortunately they squeal even when warm lol I have Akebono pads on order hopefully that'll stop the issue

[Sail Boat]

You know, I have to admit... I sort of enjoy brake squeal.

Am I the only one?

[gk09]

Originally Posted by Sail Boat

You know, I have to admit... I sort of enjoy brake squeal.

Am I the only one?

Lmao I hope you're the only one. Funny thing is on here everyone is " the only one" for some issue.

So for me, I love the HK sound system and the piped in engine sound through the speakers.

Curious what others love that 99% hate.

[Powaup]

Squeal had gotten better after ceramic brake pads but for the past couple weeks it has gotten horrendous, I have an appointment scheduled next month to bring the car in so lets see but right now the squealing is LOUD and constant

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Sail Boat

You know, I have to admit... I sort of enjoy brake squeal.

Am I the only one?

No, absolutely not!

I'm running a full-on race pad on the street, and I no longer notice the squeal (which was never particularly objectionable to start with (to me, anyway! lol)).

BTW, what squeal there is is not at all consistent, in either volume or pitch, making it nothing more than additional background music.

[NISFAN]

Have you tried disc brake quiet CRC?

[EM240]

Squealing driving me insane as well. Does anyone know if perforated brakes will stop it or is it the pads?

[bryan_G01]

Originally Posted by EM240

Squealing driving me insane as well. Does anyone know if perforated brakes will stop it or is it the pads?

are you asking if cross drilled and slotted rotors will help?


if so, no. it will actually introduce a new noise.

EBC yellow, only had 1 set that squeaked and i think it was becasue the rotors were used.

[bryan_G01]

Originally Posted by dradernh

No, absolutely not!

I'm running a full-on race pad on the street, and I no longer notice the squeal (which was never particularly objectionable to start with (to me, anyway! lol)).

BTW, what squeal there is is not at all consistent, in either volume or pitch, making it nothing more than additional background music.

race pads on the street? not only obnoxious but pretty stupid as well.

You know that race pads are not meant to be driven on the street right? theres no way to get up to temp and you are risking every others driver and your self.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

race pads on the street? not only obnoxious but pretty stupid as well.

You know that race pads are not meant to be driven on the street right? theres no way to get up to temp and you are risking every others driver and your self.

There's this urban myth that there's a class of pads that simply do not work on the street. Pagids and Hawks, summer, fall, winter, and spring, I've tested this myth and found it wanting.

There's another myth associated with this class of pads, too. This second myth says that these pads will make a car sound like an industrial facility running at full-tilt. I've found this myth wanting, too.

The car stops fine, every time. It can be driven in a way that reduces the squealing to almost zero, and that's how I drive it.

As always, just my 2¢, and YMMV.

[Powaup]

Took my car in to dealer last week. They changed pads and rotors. So far after 2 days no squealing to be heard

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Powaup

Took my car in to dealer last week. They changed pads and rotors. So far after 2 days no squealing to be heard

Congratulations!

It must be a relief to have your car finally sounding like it's supposed to. I hope it stays that way for you.

Once they had a solution, did the dealer have an explanation for why the brakes were squealing?

[Powaup]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Congratulations!

It must be a relief to have your car finally sounding like it's supposed to. I hope it stays that way for you.

Once they had a solution, did the dealer have an explanation for why the brakes were squealing?

No concrete explanation. I will note that they removed my ceramic break pads when I asked them not too so I am now back on standard bmw pads which worries me. I am holding my breath, worried the squeaking is going to comeback again at any time.

[Funwithdesign]

The standard BMW pads are soft and efficient, they don't make noise but they create dust like crazy. However if you don't mind the dust, they are a good pad.

I just put on EBC Redstuff and Zimmermann slotted/dimpled rotors (identical to the M Performance rotors with the exception of the aluminum hat) and I'm happy, no noise and reduced dust.

[jooksingjai77]

found this product when I searched on another thread

https://www.amazon.ca/Permatex-24125...rease+permatex

apparently this will do the trick. going to find out monday.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by jooksingjai77

found this product when I searched on another thread

https://www.amazon.ca/Permatex-24125...rease+permatex

apparently this will do the trick. going to find out monday.

You can also get a smaller tube at your local Canadian Tire for a quarter of the price: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/p...1412p.html#srp

[overcoil]

Few years back I read a Mercedes technical bulletin on brake squeal.
Couple things I remember were for brake pad paste (this is used to prevent the shim on the back of the pad from vibrating and causing a high pitch ) that not too much past gets applied - if you saw the smallish pack that comes with Mercedes pads you dab it on the four corners then center of the pad backing plate / then place the shim over the brake pad back.

Mercedes also stated not to use brake cleaner on the rotors or the brake pad surface, that soap and water and brush be used to clean the surfaces. The premise being that brake cleaner and brake dust remain on the friction surfaces and create a slurry that then dries. That slurry made of brake particle dust can create squeal. Mercedes also recommended a movement for using a brush to clean the soap and water across the friction surfaces but I don’t recall.

And I think Mercedes also stated that getting the brakes and drivetrain up to temp then doing high speed hard braking but releasing the brakes as you decelerate under 25 mph. A few of the braking events will refresh the friction surfaces.

When Mercedes suggests not using brake cleaner I was wondering if the Sonax wheel cleaner that turns the brake iron particles dark burgundy might be a factor in brake squeal - just a thought.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

When Mercedes suggests not using brake cleaner I was wondering if the Sonax wheel cleaner that turns the brake iron particles dark burgundy might be a factor in brake squeal - just a thought.

My first thought was "How is that possible!?!" Then I realized that I take my wheels off to clean them, so the Sonax never gets near the brake system.

[ggggbmw]

I've definitely noticed a change in brake behavior after using Sonax to clean wheels. No squeal, but the brakes were definitely grabbier. The effect lasted 20-30 miles or so, and then faded away to normal operation. (I even posted a thread on it, but got minimal comments. here)

I'm speculating that the Sonax cleaned away some of the brake pad transfer coating on the rotors, leaving a rougher surface. The Ferodo pads I had on would glaze a bit in gentle street driving.