Brake question

[kwike92]

So my m3 is making a little bit of a squealing noise when the brakes are applied, I pulled the wheels off and the pads are definately not new, but still have plenty of life left. It looks like the sensor is a little loose and is causing the squeal.



Do you normally just replace the sensor considering the pads appear to be fine?

Thanks in advance for your comments and help,

-Eric

[FormulaMMM]

Never heard of the sensor causing squeal. Typically if that's making contact you're low on pad and going to trigger the brake warning light.

Sensor is loose as in a bit of play back and forth in the pad slot, or loose as in you can actually see it contacting the rotor?

OE pads? Unless you're sure it's the sensor, suggest you try bedding. Warm the brakes then 10 aggressive, consecutive stops from 60. Squeal can develop sometimes after consistent everyday driving, light application.

[kwike92]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Never heard of the sensor causing squeal. Typically if that's making contact you're low on pad and going to trigger the brake warning light.

Sensor is loose as in a bit of play back and forth in the pad slot, or loose as in you can actually see it contacting the rotor?

OE pads? Unless you're sure it's the sensor, suggest you try bedding. Warm the brakes then 10 aggressive, consecutive stops from 60. Squeal can develop sometimes after consistent everyday driving, light application.

Just a little play in the slot of the pad.

What I'll probably end up doing is taking the calipers off to really look inside the pads etc. I just took the wheels off and looked through the calipers.

[FormulaMMM]

Did you try some hard braking first?

[Chris__B]

As has been said, re-bedding the pads will usually help as the pad transfer layer has probably been worked off over time. Just make sure to warm up the brakes steadily, work them until they get hot enough to start fading slightly, then cool them off for at least a mile with no braking (if possible). By the time the fully cool off overnight, the brakes should feel more effective and much, if not all, of the squeal should be gone. If there is no change in the noise, best to have a pro take a look.

The sensor does not need to be replaced unless the warning light on the dash has been lit.

Chris

[kwike92]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Did you try some hard braking first?

Originally Posted by Chris__B

As has been said, re-bedding the pads will usually help as the pad transfer layer has probably been worked off over time. Just make sure to warm up the brakes steadily, work them until they get hot enough to start fading slightly, then cool them off for at least a mile with no braking (if possible). By the time the fully cool off overnight, the brakes should feel more effective and much, if not all, of the squeal should be gone. If there is no change in the noise, best to have a pro take a look.

The sensor does not need to be replaced unless the warning light on the dash has been lit.

Chris

thanks for the feed back guys.

[Malek@MRF]

Sensors do not cause any form of brake squeal. Try some hard braking as it has been suggested.

[kwike92]

Originally Posted by Malek@MRF

Sensors do not cause any form of brake squeal. Try some hard braking as it has been suggested.

Thank you Malek.

[carlos@velosdesignwerks]

If your pads aren't loose then you probably need to refill your calipers with grease. Just look for the valve.