Question about my rear brakes...

Joe Bimmer · 10-31-2006, 11:06 AM

If I release my brakes slowly, like to creep forward, they are EXTREMELY grippy. When I finally can release the peddle just enough to get it to actually creep forward, the rears will emit a loud harmonic vibration sound that can be felt all the way through the car.

It's hard to explain the sound -- it's not a grind, but more of a "brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr" noise. Does anyone else have this, and is there a fix? Is this just because they are brand new BMW brakes, or is this an issue? It will do the same thing if I use the parking brake instead of the peddle.

Xon · 10-31-2006, 11:10 AM

Is it automatic gear? Many cars whit automatic makes that noise, doent know how to fix it, and if it can be fixed at all

Joe Bimmer · 11-04-2006, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xon

Is it automatic gear? Many cars whit automatic makes that noise, doent know how to fix it, and if it can be fixed at all

Yes, my car is automatic. It's quite annoying. Anyone else have this issue and had it resolved? I have 7500 miles on the odometer so far...

bmwexecutive · 11-04-2006, 06:37 PM

I was going to say it's the Brake Assist, but that's not it. I know because I had this same problem about three weeks ago. Somehow, the next day it went away and hasn't come back since. Stange, but what can I say, I'm happy.

I'd recommend driving it around and making a few normal stops. Not too hard, and not too soft. Just normal. Like traveling at 45MPH and coming to a stop at a stop sign. Don't make a full stop either. Come to a rolling stop to where just before you make a complete stop and get that backward jerk, left off the brake pedal. Try that.

I noticed this happened to me after a long two-hour drive with moderate to hard braking.

e90andy · 11-04-2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Bimmer

Yes, my car is automatic. It's quite annoying. Anyone else have this issue and had it resolved? I have 7500 miles on the odometer so far...

Yep, I have it and I believe all Steptronic E90s do this. It appears to be as a result of the excessive creep in the transmission fighting the brake action. I asked the dealer if they can reduce the creep, but they say "no".

So you'll have to live with it, or have your brake pads replaced with after-market ones. When mine is due for new pads, I'll be specifying 3rd party alternatives.

06330i · 11-04-2006, 11:45 PM

theres nothing wrong with your car. i kno there was a problem with the ecu and the brake controller with the brakes being sticky and what not. mine is still doing this and i almost have 20k miles. you get use to it after a while.

Joe Bimmer · 11-05-2006, 06:40 PM

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I'll bitch about it to the dealer and see if it gets me anywhere, although I doubt it. Damn automatic cars...this will be my last one. I went from stick in my last car, to Step in this car, because I was sick of shifting...now, I'd give anything for a shifter. I wonder if the 335 E90 & E92 have this same problem with Auto's...anyone?

*******: Do you have any aftermarket pads that you recommend? I would hate to replace a brrrr noise with a squeaky noise.

BMW F22 · 11-05-2006, 06:57 PM

I doubt the dealership will be able to do anything about that. It's just that BMW's brakes are extremely grippy (another reason why they're so different from other makers). I love the way it feels cus it gives me more confidence when driving thru twisites.

Accounting4Speed · 11-05-2006, 09:09 PM

There is another possible answer here. I have an old second car, a 1994 Volvo 850. It used to have the same problem you are describing. In this car there are two reasons for this brake vibration:

1) The brake pads don't sit properly and need shims to correct this problem
2) There could be some material that has gotten onto the brake pads causing high and low points, this can also cause vibration.

The most practical suggestion is to try a new set of brake pads, if the problem persists, then have the BMW service center test the pads to make sure they are hitting the rotors evenly. Just my two cents.

742 · 11-05-2006, 09:35 PM

There is a black art to making brake squeal go away. Shims, different pads, any of 23 dozen types of treatments to put between the pistons and the pads. I would push the issue with the dealer, realizing that it might take some experimentation.

For what it is worth, which may not be much, I recently had good results on another car with CRC “Disc Brake Quiet”.

Good luck.

FirstClass · 11-05-2006, 09:44 PM

I vote for bedding in the pads, though if you have 7500 miles they should have bedded in fine already.

e90andy · 11-06-2006, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Bimmer

*******: Do you have any aftermarket pads that you recommend? I would hate to replace a brrrr noise with a squeaky noise.

I've used Mintex C-Tech performance pads in the past and they outperformed the OEM units on my WRX. I know they're available for BMWs although the E90 is still relatively new, so you may not be able to buy them for your 3 series as yet.

It might be worth doing a Google search to see what others experiences have been in the past with Mintex and BMW - I'd hate to steer you wrong. However, I'll be getting the C-Tech pads when mine are due, and I'll post my findings. It would seem that the price is about the same as the original parts, at least as far as my old Soob went.

HTH. Cheers.

10-31-2006, 11:06 AM	#1
Joe Bimmer Lieutenant 13 Rep 548 Posts Drives: Alpine White 2015 X5 x35i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	BRRRRR noise when soft on the brakes...anyone else? If I release my brakes slowly, like to creep forward, they are EXTREMELY grippy. When I finally can release the peddle just enough to get it to actually creep forward, the rears will emit a loud harmonic vibration sound that can be felt all the way through the car. It's hard to explain the sound -- it's not a grind, but more of a "brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr" noise. Does anyone else have this, and is there a fix? Is this just because they are brand new BMW brakes, or is this an issue? It will do the same thing if I use the parking brake instead of the peddle. Last edited by Joe Bimmer; 11-04-2006 at 06:31 PM..
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10-31-2006, 11:10 AM	#2
Xon Another Day Another Dollar 3 Rep 37 Posts Drives: Bmw 335i (E92) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Norway iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Bmw 335i (e92) [0.00]	Is it automatic gear? Many cars whit automatic makes that noise, doent know how to fix it, and if it can be fixed at all __________________ -=[Mr Xon]=- 07 Bmw 335i (e92) 98 Bmw 523i (e39)
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11-04-2006, 06:37 PM	#4
bmwexecutive Banned 241 Rep 2,453 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: East Coast iTrader: (4)	I was going to say it's the Brake Assist, but that's not it. I know because I had this same problem about three weeks ago. Somehow, the next day it went away and hasn't come back since. Stange, but what can I say, I'm happy. I'd recommend driving it around and making a few normal stops. Not too hard, and not too soft. Just normal. Like traveling at 45MPH and coming to a stop at a stop sign. Don't make a full stop either. Come to a rolling stop to where just before you make a complete stop and get that backward jerk, left off the brake pedal. Try that. I noticed this happened to me after a long two-hour drive with moderate to hard braking.
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11-04-2006, 11:45 PM	#6
06330i fresher den you 34 Rep 986 Posts Drives: 2004 x3 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: the shores, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E90, 330i [0.00]	theres nothing wrong with your car. i kno there was a problem with the ecu and the brake controller with the brakes being sticky and what not. mine is still doing this and i almost have 20k miles. you get use to it after a while. __________________ 2004 x3, blue water metallic, sports pack, panoramic moonroof, xenon, hi-fi radio.
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11-05-2006, 06:40 PM	#7
Joe Bimmer Lieutenant 13 Rep 548 Posts Drives: Alpine White 2015 X5 x35i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Thanks everyone for the replies. I'll bitch about it to the dealer and see if it gets me anywhere, although I doubt it. Damn automatic cars...this will be my last one. I went from stick in my last car, to Step in this car, because I was sick of shifting...now, I'd give anything for a shifter. I wonder if the 335 E90 & E92 have this same problem with Auto's...anyone? *******: Do you have any aftermarket pads that you recommend? I would hate to replace a brrrr noise with a squeaky noise.
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11-05-2006, 06:57 PM	#8
BMW F22 Major General 3566 Rep 9,788 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	I doubt the dealership will be able to do anything about that. It's just that BMW's brakes are extremely grippy (another reason why they're so different from other makers). I love the way it feels cus it gives me more confidence when driving thru twisites.
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11-05-2006, 09:09 PM	#9
Accounting4Speed Kind of a Big Deal 33 Rep 202 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	There is another possible answer here. I have an old second car, a 1994 Volvo 850. It used to have the same problem you are describing. In this car there are two reasons for this brake vibration: 1) The brake pads don't sit properly and need shims to correct this problem 2) There could be some material that has gotten onto the brake pads causing high and low points, this can also cause vibration. The most practical suggestion is to try a new set of brake pads, if the problem persists, then have the BMW service center test the pads to make sure they are hitting the rotors evenly. Just my two cents.
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11-05-2006, 09:35 PM	#10
742 Major 13 Rep 1,187 Posts Drives: E90 325i; F10 528i; 2002tii Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	There is a black art to making brake squeal go away. Shims, different pads, any of 23 dozen types of treatments to put between the pistons and the pads. I would push the issue with the dealer, realizing that it might take some experimentation. For what it is worth, which may not be much, I recently had good results on another car with CRC “Disc Brake Quiet”. Good luck.
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11-05-2006, 09:44 PM	#11
FirstClass Brigadier General 41 Rep 3,200 Posts Drives: 328xi Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	I vote for bedding in the pads, though if you have 7500 miles they should have bedded in fine already.
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