Squeaking brakes

wasupdu · 06-18-2008, 01:48 PM

I have a 2005 Z4 3.0 that is still under the factory BMW NA warranty (4 years/50,000 miles).

While I had my car in for the Inspection 1 service the other day I mentioned the brake squeal and the response I got from them was that the brake pads were at 5mm so they can't replace them under warranty. The squeaking/squealing noise is NORMAL and there is nothing they can do. I told them it was unacceptable so they added some anti-squeal compound to both front brake pads (no charge) but that didn't seem to make a difference.

thoughts?

I had a problem similar to this with my 5er and was told the problem was "normal".....but after I kept pushing they finally started switching out rotors/pads/sensors/adding brake pad glue, etc.....until they fixed the problem.

Thankfully my office is right next to the BMW dealer otherwise this would be a royal pain in the a$$ for how many times I've been there within the past year with both cars.

pbdm4k · 06-18-2008, 02:06 PM

Do you mean your pads have 5mm left or only 5mm worn down?
Hell, since the pads and rotors are part of the service warranty, I say take the car to the track and kill those brakes.

Hawkeye · 06-18-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbdm4k

Do you mean your pads have 5mm left or only 5mm worn down?
Hell, since the pads and rotors are part of the service warranty, I say take the car to the track and kill those brakes.

That is actually not a bad idea...

Dammmittt · 06-18-2008, 02:25 PM

Brake squeel is a tricky issue. It's annoying, but if there is plenty of pad left it's not going to affect brake performance...as the mass of the pad changes so do the natural frequencies...bottomline is that it can be "normal"

ATX750i · 06-18-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

That is actually not a bad idea...

^

wasupdu · 06-18-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dammmittt

Brake squeel is a tricky issue. It's annoying, but if there is plenty of pad left it's not going to affect brake performance...as the mass of the pad changes so do the natural frequencies...bottomline is that it can be "normal"

But do you think it's something that the dealer should take care of or am I on my own with this?

Reason I ask is because I've owned several Honda's (3 Preludes, an Accord, a s2000), Mitsubishi Endeavor, several American cars (Chrysler Sebring, Ford F150, Ford Escort and a Chrysler 300M) and I never had a problem with brake noise unless the pads needed to be replaced.

I hate to play this card, but I don't think a $50k car (sticker) should have this issue after being serviced by a BMW dealer. All of my previous vehicles that were half the price never had any issues. Now I'm told this is normal? Maybe I'm just kinda bias since I've only had 2 BMW's and both have had issues with brake noise....I don't think that's normal.

Dammmittt · 06-18-2008, 03:21 PM

I dunno...when I had a squeel issue my dealer offered to replace mine under warranty. I didn't take them up on it cuz it was annoying to go out there, but they're fine now.

pbdm4k · 06-18-2008, 03:31 PM

Keep in mind too, sometimes brake squeel, if not attributed to being worn down, can also be a result of dirt stuck between the pad surface and the rotor.

A few hard stops usually clean it right up and get rid of the noise.

wasupdu · 06-18-2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbdm4k

A few hard stops usually clean it right up and get rid of the noise.

I've tried a fair share of hard braking from 70mph - zero to try to eliminate the glaze on the rotors/pads.

Hawkeye · 06-19-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasupdu

I've tried a fair share of hard braking from 70mph - zero to try to eliminate the glaze on the rotors/pads.

Hopefully you are not doing that on the highway!

pbdm4k · 06-19-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasupdu

I've tried a fair share of hard braking from 70mph - zero to try to eliminate the glaze on the rotors/pads.

Well, if that isn't working, I guess there's nothing left to do but to keep doing that until the wear sensors come on so they give you new pads and rotors!

bobbydole · 01-07-2010, 05:40 PM

My brakes are squeeling intermittently, as well. Except, it seems to happen more often when I brake when the car is on a declining slope. Could this have something to do with the wishbone/bushings?

Z4Kevo · 01-07-2010, 06:42 PM

My brakes squeal intermittently...it appears out of nowhere and then goes away just as fast. I know it's annoying, but there really isn't anything wrong.

Give the brake bedding process a try...you can find a good write up on Zeckhausen's website.

BlackSapphireZ · 01-07-2010, 08:47 PM

mine squeeks too a lot...i drive hard and it doesn't seem to get rid of the noise...

bosstones · 01-07-2010, 09:54 PM

I get a squeal only when the temp drops... Seems to start occurring when the temps start to average low-mid '40's and lower. Pretty annoying to drive an ///M and have loud, squealing brakes when coming to a stop.

KenTenn · 01-08-2010, 11:05 PM

Dealer told me that "it is normal and Germans think we are nuts because they are used to it and just tolerate it." Seems like BS for a $50 - 60k car...

xJxDx0926 · 01-09-2010, 09:25 AM

Mine squeal every now and then and I only have 8k Miles on it. When ever I wash it the squealing stops for a day or two.

chickdr · 01-09-2010, 10:04 AM

Mine squeals as I come to a stop as well. Seems to be related to cooler temps. My wife's Q7 does the same thing(low speed squeal). My previous S2K did not make this noise, but I attribute the noise to a high performance braking system.

Z4Kevo · 01-15-2010, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickdr

but I attribute the noise to a high performance braking system.

yep.

chickdr · 01-16-2010, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z4Kevo

yep.

In your sig mod list it says "LED accents" what do you mean by that? I just put in the Bimmian "xenon" style bulbs in the interior and for the tag lights, is this what you have?

06-18-2008, 01:48 PM	#1
wasupdu Lieutenant 25 Rep 413 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0, CLS63 AMG Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 Mercedes CLS63 ... [0.00] 2005 BMW Z4 [0.00]	Squeaking brakes I have a 2005 Z4 3.0 that is still under the factory BMW NA warranty (4 years/50,000 miles). While I had my car in for the Inspection 1 service the other day I mentioned the brake squeal and the response I got from them was that the brake pads were at 5mm so they can't replace them under warranty. The squeaking/squealing noise is NORMAL and there is nothing they can do. I told them it was unacceptable so they added some anti-squeal compound to both front brake pads (no charge) but that didn't seem to make a difference. thoughts? I had a problem similar to this with my 5er and was told the problem was "normal".....but after I kept pushing they finally started switching out rotors/pads/sensors/adding brake pad glue, etc.....until they fixed the problem. Thankfully my office is right next to the BMW dealer otherwise this would be a royal pain in the a$$ for how many times I've been there within the past year with both cars. __________________ 2005 BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0 - Black Sapphire with Red Extended Leather / NAV / Premium & Sport Pkgs / 19" wheels / M steering wheel / Xenon 2013 Mercedes CLS63 AMG
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06-18-2008, 02:06 PM	#2
pbdm4k Lieutenant Colonel 74 Rep 1,689 Posts Drives: 2010 335d Join Date: May 2007 Location: North of the Border iTrader: (3)	Do you mean your pads have 5mm left or only 5mm worn down? Hell, since the pads and rotors are part of the service warranty, I say take the car to the track and kill those brakes. __________________ 2010 BMW 335d "Ha! She wants the D." 2006 VW Jetta 2.5 Once upon a time... '03 VW GTI, '99 Audi A4 1.8TQ, '00 VW Jetta 1.85T, '09 BMW 335i xDrive, '04 BMW Z4 3.0i, '01 Audi TT 1.8T, '04 Volvo S80 2.5T
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06-18-2008, 02:25 PM	#4
Dammmittt My favorite sign. 169 Rep 4,333 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Der Autobahnen iTrader: (0)	Brake squeel is a tricky issue. It's annoying, but if there is plenty of pad left it's not going to affect brake performance...as the mass of the pad changes so do the natural frequencies...bottomline is that it can be "normal" __________________ 07 ///M Coupe (Premium Package) Black Saphire Ext. Imola Red Int. Best Website EVER!
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06-18-2008, 03:21 PM	#7
Dammmittt My favorite sign. 169 Rep 4,333 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Der Autobahnen iTrader: (0)	I dunno...when I had a squeel issue my dealer offered to replace mine under warranty. I didn't take them up on it cuz it was annoying to go out there, but they're fine now. __________________ 07 ///M Coupe (Premium Package) Black Saphire Ext. Imola Red Int. Best Website EVER!
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06-18-2008, 03:31 PM	#8
pbdm4k Lieutenant Colonel 74 Rep 1,689 Posts Drives: 2010 335d Join Date: May 2007 Location: North of the Border iTrader: (3)	Keep in mind too, sometimes brake squeel, if not attributed to being worn down, can also be a result of dirt stuck between the pad surface and the rotor. A few hard stops usually clean it right up and get rid of the noise. __________________ 2010 BMW 335d "Ha! She wants the D." 2006 VW Jetta 2.5 Once upon a time... '03 VW GTI, '99 Audi A4 1.8TQ, '00 VW Jetta 1.85T, '09 BMW 335i xDrive, '04 BMW Z4 3.0i, '01 Audi TT 1.8T, '04 Volvo S80 2.5T
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01-07-2010, 05:40 PM	#12
bobbydole Private 0 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (0)	My brakes are squeeling intermittently, as well. Except, it seems to happen more often when I brake when the car is on a declining slope. Could this have something to do with the wishbone/bushings?
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01-07-2010, 06:42 PM	#13
Z4Kevo Private First Class 85 Rep 168 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Republic of Texas iTrader: (0)	My brakes squeal intermittently...it appears out of nowhere and then goes away just as fast. I know it's annoying, but there really isn't anything wrong. Give the brake bedding process a try...you can find a good write up on Zeckhausen's website. __________________ 2007 BMW Z4M Coupe \| Sapphire Black \| 19" ZCP Wheels \| Michelin PSS - 245/285 \| Carbon Leather Black Corners \| UUC Short Shifter \| ///M Racing Pedals \| OE Strut Brace \| LED Accents \| PEMP Android
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01-07-2010, 08:47 PM	#14
BlackSapphireZ Major 97 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 22 GLE 53 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ladson, SC iTrader: (0)	mine squeeks too a lot...i drive hard and it doesn't seem to get rid of the noise... __________________ 2022 GLE 53 Coupe
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01-07-2010, 09:54 PM	#15
bosstones Lieutenant Colonel 1154 Rep 1,543 Posts Drives: o_0 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Suburbia iTrader: (0)	I get a squeal only when the temp drops... Seems to start occurring when the temps start to average low-mid '40's and lower. Pretty annoying to drive an ///M and have loud, squealing brakes when coming to a stop. __________________ - Jeff bosstones' flickr
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01-08-2010, 11:05 PM	#16
KenTenn Enlisted Member 1 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4M Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (0)	Dealer told me that "it is normal and Germans think we are nuts because they are used to it and just tolerate it." Seems like BS for a $50 - 60k car... __________________ Ken Lewellyn ZSCCA Area Rep - TN www.zscca.org '06 M Roadster
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01-09-2010, 09:25 AM	#17
xJxDx0926 Private First Class 25 Rep 160 Posts Drives: Z4M Roadster Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boston iTrader: (2)	Mine squeal every now and then and I only have 8k Miles on it. When ever I wash it the squealing stops for a day or two. __________________
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01-09-2010, 10:04 AM	#18
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,990 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	Mine squeals as I come to a stop as well. Seems to be related to cooler temps. My wife's Q7 does the same thing(low speed squeal). My previous S2K did not make this noise, but I attribute the noise to a high performance braking system.
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