Brake pads shifting?

Golo2016 · 06-30-2018, 07:15 PM

Hi all, don't know if this belongs in the service section, but mods feel free to move it if necessary.

A few days ago, I started to hear a clanking noise everytime I pressed the brakes first thing in the morning, it wouldn't do it after the first time in the morning. Took it to the dealer and they replaced the pads after I insisted that the noise couldn't be normal as they wanted me to believe. Apparently, they put some paste behind the pads. Haven't heard the noise so far.

After researching for a little bit, it seems that this happens to other manufacturers as well. Surprised as I had Mercedes and they have never done this, is this an annoyance that this BMWs suffer from? The pads according to the IDrive had 39,000 miles left.

rackjuediger · 06-30-2018, 07:48 PM

Did they not apply the pad lubricant to the last set?

Billfitz · 06-30-2018, 09:07 PM

A slight noise is normal. When you park at night the pads shift when you come to a stop. The next morning you're probably going to drive in the opposite direction, causing them to shift in the opposite direction, creating the noise. If the noise is slight it means the pads are floating freely in the pad carrier, as they're supposed to. Excessive noise could mean the pads or carriers are worn, or they just need grease. I back my car into my garage, the next morning I drive forward out of the garage, and there's almost always a slight groan from the brakes the first time I release the brake pedal, but only that first time.

truth649 · 07-01-2018, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golo2016

Hi all, don't know if this belongs in the service section, but mods feel free to move it if necessary.

A few days ago, I started to hear a clanking noise everytime I pressed the brakes first thing in the morning, it wouldn't do it after the first time in the morning. Took it to the dealer and they replaced the pads after I insisted that the noise couldn't be normal as they wanted me to believe. Apparently, they put some paste behind the pads. Haven't heard the noise so far.

After researching for a little bit, it seems that this happens to other manufacturers as well. Surprised as I had Mercedes and they have never done this, is this an annoyance that this BMWs suffer from? The pads according to the IDrive had 39,000 miles left.

I get that clunk noise too, only on the first brake application on a cold start. It is not the typical scraping noise caused by overnight rust accumulation on the rotor surfaces. Pads should not be shifting, the spring force in the clips should keep them in place. Not sure what it is but I keep forgetting to mention it on service visits.

zeikei · 07-01-2018, 05:08 PM

Exactly same here. Comes during first regular braking after braking in reverse. No sound after that. The sound is so loud that I think the pads must somehow stick in their position and then shoot from one end to another only when enough friction is applied. I need to take the pads out and grease them according to the BMW instructions.

Golo2016 · 07-02-2018, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeikei

Exactly same here. Comes during first regular braking after braking in reverse. No sound after that. The sound is so loud that I think the pads must somehow stick in their position and then shoot from one end to another only when enough friction is applied. I need to take the pads out and grease them according to the BMW instructions.

Grease them where? My limited logic tells me that if the problem is that they're shifting inside the caliper, how grease is going to help? If anything, the grease would allow them to move even more, no?

Billfitz · 07-02-2018, 10:26 AM

They're going to shift with the change in the driving direction when braking. If they're not adequately greased they'll groan more than they should when they make that directional shift.

zeikei · 07-02-2018, 05:09 PM

Yes that is my assumption, with (new) paste the pad movement would be smoother. I will report the outcome once I have a chance to do this, easy and cheap if it works.

Golo2016 · 07-02-2018, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeikei

Yes that is my assumption, with (new) paste the pad movement would be smoother. I will report the outcome once I have a chance to do this, easy and cheap if it works.

They put new pads in the front and a paste or a glue on the back of the pad. Haven't heard the noise in a couple of days. Will keep my ears open, so to speak. lol

Billfitz · 07-02-2018, 06:34 PM

The paste on the back of the pads is to prevent squealing. Different issue, different product, applied in a different location.

medlyleeds · 07-06-2018, 07:26 PM

Had similar thing after brakes were changed on my E90. Was told it was the pads moving ever so slightly in their holders. Stopped doing it after a few months I presume due to build up of dust around the pads.

06-30-2018, 07:15 PM	#1
Golo2016 Second Lieutenant 53 Rep 216 Posts Drives: BMW 540i Xdrive Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: DMV iTrader: (0)	Brake pads shifting? Hi all, don't know if this belongs in the service section, but mods feel free to move it if necessary. A few days ago, I started to hear a clanking noise everytime I pressed the brakes first thing in the morning, it wouldn't do it after the first time in the morning. Took it to the dealer and they replaced the pads after I insisted that the noise couldn't be normal as they wanted me to believe. Apparently, they put some paste behind the pads. Haven't heard the noise so far. After researching for a little bit, it seems that this happens to other manufacturers as well. Surprised as I had Mercedes and they have never done this, is this an annoyance that this BMWs suffer from? The pads according to the IDrive had 39,000 miles left.
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06-30-2018, 07:48 PM	#2
rackjuediger Second Lieutenant 143 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2013 328i 6mt Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Houston, Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 328i [0.00]	Did they not apply the pad lubricant to the last set? __________________ F30 328i 6mt Injen, ER, BM3, Solowerks, IND, BMS, BBS E46 M3 smg2 Bimmerworld, H
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06-30-2018, 09:07 PM	#3
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8225 Rep 16,065 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	A slight noise is normal. When you park at night the pads shift when you come to a stop. The next morning you're probably going to drive in the opposite direction, causing them to shift in the opposite direction, creating the noise. If the noise is slight it means the pads are floating freely in the pad carrier, as they're supposed to. Excessive noise could mean the pads or carriers are worn, or they just need grease. I back my car into my garage, the next morning I drive forward out of the garage, and there's almost always a slight groan from the brakes the first time I release the brake pedal, but only that first time.
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07-01-2018, 05:08 PM	#5
zeikei Second Lieutenant 125 Rep 298 Posts Drives: F36 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Finland iTrader: (0)	Exactly same here. Comes during first regular braking after braking in reverse. No sound after that. The sound is so loud that I think the pads must somehow stick in their position and then shoot from one end to another only when enough friction is applied. I need to take the pads out and grease them according to the BMW instructions.
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07-02-2018, 10:26 AM	#7
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8225 Rep 16,065 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	They're going to shift with the change in the driving direction when braking. If they're not adequately greased they'll groan more than they should when they make that directional shift.
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07-02-2018, 05:09 PM	#8
zeikei Second Lieutenant 125 Rep 298 Posts Drives: F36 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Finland iTrader: (0)	Yes that is my assumption, with (new) paste the pad movement would be smoother. I will report the outcome once I have a chance to do this, easy and cheap if it works.
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07-02-2018, 06:34 PM	#10
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8225 Rep 16,065 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	The paste on the back of the pads is to prevent squealing. Different issue, different product, applied in a different location.
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07-06-2018, 07:26 PM	#11
medlyleeds New Member 6 Rep 27 Posts Drives: G20 320D x-drive Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Leeds iTrader: (0)	Had similar thing after brakes were changed on my E90. Was told it was the pads moving ever so slightly in their holders. Stopped doing it after a few months I presume due to build up of dust around the pads.
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