Brake noise

westcoastM5 · 3rd August 2001, 08:00

I have a 2000 M5 with 15,000 miles. I have been experiencing a squeaking noise from my brakes, when I near a complete stop. I have taken the car in on three occasions to my dealer. Each time the brakes are fine for about a week. They have replaced the pads, but still the problem persists. Does anyone have any advice or had a similar problem?

Thanks.

Stallion M5 · 3rd August 2001, 10:41

Occassionally, after you drive your beast hard and applied a lot of pressure on the brakes could heat them up a little bit more than normal. That what causes the squeaks due to high temperature.

As you probably notice, after everything cools off, you don't hear it anymore.

The only way to eliminate that problem is to upgrade your brake system to the aftermarket ones. You can use either the cross drilled rotors or slotted rotors or combination of both to dissepate heat much faster.

johann · 3rd August 2001, 12:20

If your stock pads squeal because of heat, a change to other pads such as blue Pagid will remove the heat squeal. However they may squeal when cool instead.

IMO, the dealer should be able to make the car not squeal, brakes hot and warm, with the stock brakes.

Aftermarket brakes with street pads may very well have the same problems. No need to spend money on that unless you want better brakes

Cheers,
/Johan

TiGumz · 3rd August 2001, 13:35

I have the same problem. Squeeks when almost coming to a complete stop about 10-15 mph. This is from normal driving (honest) not hard runs. More irritating than anything else. Maybe it is from heat. Ambient temps here in mid 90's so it may not take much to heat up the brakes, but I have higher expectations from a car like this....I am going to bring this up next time I take the car in...

johann · 3rd August 2001, 14:02

Quote:

Originally posted by TiGumz
I have the same problem. Squeeks when almost coming to a complete stop about 10-15 mph. This is from normal driving (honest) not hard runs. More irritating than anything else. Maybe it is from heat. Ambient temps here in mid 90's so it may not take much to heat up the brakes, but I have higher expectations from a car like this....I am going to bring this up next time I take the car in...

Stock brakes shouldn't squeal, warm or cold.
Have your dealer fix this.

Cheers,
/Johan

Jim Dolan · 3rd August 2001, 14:39

I've experienced the same problem. After a highway run especially. It's down to a chirp when almost stopped.

bgomez · 3rd August 2001, 18:26

I have 1400 miles on my car and yesterday I was driving it a bit hard and as I would come to a stop and applied moderate pressure the brakes would get a bit noisy. After they cooled they quit making the noise. I too agree that a car of this performance level and price should not do this. I'm not going to bother the dealership with it because I'm sure they will say it's normal and don't have a reasonable fix. My 2000 996 never made a peep from the brakes in the 18000 miles that I had it. Oh well!

Tim W · 3rd August 2001, 18:50

Ok here is the deal. They are vibrating in the caliper. I have done pads on all my BMW's (at least 20 sets). Go get the BG product anti squeal kit. It is a graphite based material you put on the PAD SIDE and heat grease for the back side. I have used this setup on the past 4 pad sets and not a chirp is heard

Another trick I have learned is to bevel the edge of the pad B4 install (I use my dremel tool). I have not experienced stopping degradation or anything.

Let me know if this helps....

Stallion M5 · 3rd August 2001, 18:51

Quote:

Originally posted by TiGumz
I have the same problem. Squeeks when almost coming to a complete stop about 10-15 mph. This is from normal driving (honest) not hard runs. More irritating than anything else. Maybe it is from heat. Ambient temps here in mid 90's so it may not take much to heat up the brakes, but I have higher expectations from a car like this....I am going to bring this up next time I take the car in...

The noise is not necessarily generated due to a hard driving. The outside temperature could be a factor as well that contributes to the existing problem.

I certainly think that this is something we need to point out to the dealership. Perhaps we can request for better brake pads, in that case, we need to do it soon before the rotors has built some pattern on it (then we would have to turn the rotors as well).

Have you guys also heard about the recall on the early 01 production due to the cooling fan failure? This problem could reduce as much as 25 HP out of our beast during hot days.

Aussie2U · 4th August 2001, 03:57

Theres one more thing to check guys. The lubricant on the caliper pins tends to be "eaten" away by tire & wheel cleaners (according to dealer). Dealer says when used often, it strips the pins and starts an area for corrosion. Squeaks & groans will follow shortly thereafter.

At least one dealer will not do any warranty work on brakes if they think tire cleaner contributed to the problem!