[Mk23]

So in a nutshell I've had a wheel squeak (among other issues) that just does not want to go away. Car has 42k miles and when I first brought the car in to the dealership they couldn't duplicate the problem (loud squeak at low speeds and mostly when accelerating). So the second time in they replaced the brake pads on all four wheels. The squeak got MUCH worse but occurred at different speeds and only when braking. Brought it in again, they said to put 500-1000 miles on it first, told me they need to break in (even though I've had brake pads replaced before and never had this problem). So frustrated... I put 1000 miles on the pads, and the louder version of the squeak kind of went away (very rarely made a squeak) but I was still getting the original squeak noise at low speeds and accelerating. SO I finally take it back in again and talked to the service manager, said they would try and get rotors replaced. Rotors were just recently replaced (rear ones only). I thought it fixed the issue, but today I hear the squeak... same squeak as before... but I guess it's coming from the front too (originally had no idea which wheel it was). The problem I have with this squeak is that the brakes have to be warm for it to start squeaking. So it's hard to get them to duplicate the problem. Was thinking of trying to warm the brakes up (drive around for awhile) and then take it in, but I digress.

So my question is this: What is the likeliness of the dealership replacing my front rotors too? Last I talked with the service manager he said and I quote "BMW says that some wheel squeak is normal..."

Any idea guys? Think I can get the fronts replaced too?

The dealership has replaced other things recently too so it makes me think they will be less likely to place front rotors on top of the software updates, rear rotors, carbon cleaning, etc etc. that they have already done.

Sorry for the long read, I am just starting to get pissed and really need a neutral source to help me think this through... Thanks a lot guys.

[Want_1]

I can't help you. but i also hear a squeak at low low speeds. I own my car for a few weeks now so i havent had the time to look into it but its starting to get annoying with the windows down. So i might have to look into it. But keep us posted if they ever find the issue.

[ken1137]

Read through this...post #72.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=697365&page=4

[Mk23]

Originally Posted by ken1137

Read through this...post #72.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=697365&page=4

This might help but correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the e-brake only lock the rear wheels? Therefor if I get a front wheel squeak it wont help?

[ken1137]

Another part of that was #3 the Op's dust shield contact theory. Look at page 1, maybe that would be worth looking into ?

[Mk23]

Originally Posted by ken1137

Another part of that was #3 the Op's dust shield contact theory. Look at page 1, maybe that would be worth looking into ?

Ah okay, thanks for that. Not sure how hard it is to get to that point (with everything off) but I may look into seeing what I would need (other than the obvious jacks). That or printing this out and going back to the service manager and asking them to do it...

[arc1880]

My brother put some Disc Brake Quiet on the back of my pads. I've been running on them for about 3 weeks now and I only get intermittent squeaking. But it was worse before that. Usually I would hear the squeaking after about 10 minutes of driving. So when I get into the parking structure at work, I would hear squeaking after I stop and then accelerate. I am still using stock calipers and OEM pads.

[Cisco661]

same here. its embarrasing when i pull up slow somehere and the squeaking begins. ive read about the dust shield, brake sensor, and other things being the cause. many many of us have this problem. i just deal with the squeaking now and turn my music up loud enough to muffle the annoying sound.

[Three_thirty_I]

Yep, mine does this at times - when I just got the car it was doing a lot, then on the last service the pads and rear disks were replaced along with the wear sensors. For a while it seemed fine but every so often it is now heard. What I have noticed, if I have been using the brakes harder than normal, and that is for me just braking a bit more firmly or at speeds, generally I like to be as gentle as possible with the brakes, they tend to squeal a bit at low speeds while braking, and then of course the squeaking at low speeds when off the brakes. Now if I wash the car and thoroughly spray all the brake dust away things remain quiet for a while, or at least until the next wash. Also, in some cases if you lightly lift the handbrake while driving just for a second or so it seems to help - remember, the parking brake never really gets to work as a brake as such, so I reckon does need some "cleaning" as it were every now and again.

But ultimately, this is just a nuisance more than anything else, and while embarrassing, at least we have good solid brakes!

[Mk23]

Originally Posted by Three_thirty_I

Yep, mine does this at times - when I just got the car it was doing a lot, then on the last service the pads and rear disks were replaced along with the wear sensors. For a while it seemed fine but every so often it is now heard. What I have noticed, if I have been using the brakes harder than normal, and that is for me just braking a bit more firmly or at speeds, generally I like to be as gentle as possible with the brakes, they tend to squeal a bit at low speeds while braking, and then of course the squeaking at low speeds when off the brakes. Now if I wash the car and thoroughly spray all the brake dust away things remain quiet for a while, or at least until the next wash. Also, in some cases if you lightly lift the handbrake while driving just for a second or so it seems to help - remember, the parking brake never really gets to work as a brake as such, so I reckon does need some "cleaning" as it were every now and again.

But ultimately, this is just a nuisance more than anything else, and while embarrassing, at least we have good solid brakes!

I think "nuisance" is an understatement on a $50k car. It's embarrassing and upsetting is what it is. Hopefully the dealership will do the right thing. But it's possible they may be tired of replacing parts (expensive parts like rotors too) and tell me tough luck... I'm really hoping that doesn't happen though...

[ken1137]

Originally Posted by Mk23

Ah okay, thanks for that. Not sure how hard it is to get to that point (with everything off) but I may look into seeing what I would need (other than the obvious jacks). That or printing this out and going back to the service manager and asking them to do it...

It is actually fairly simple. I believe Bavauto.com has a DIY video regarding pads and rotor replacement which will show you how to get to that point.

[Mk23]

Originally Posted by ken1137

It is actually fairly simple. I believe Bavauto.com has a DIY video regarding pads and rotor replacement which will show you how to get to that point.

Well hopefully the dealership will either replace the rotors or fix the issue like that post suggests. If they wont do either then I'll give it a shot myself. Thanks again ken, nice info.

[Potty_Pants]

try the dust shield... bend it with both hands at opposite sides away from wheel.

I know for me with my problem it reduced SUBSTANTIALLY the amount of squeaking.

ppp

[Three_thirty_I]

Originally Posted by Mk23

I think "nuisance" is an understatement on a $50k car. It's embarrassing and upsetting is what it is. Hopefully the dealership will do the right thing. But it's possible they may be tired of replacing parts (expensive parts like rotors too) and tell me tough luck... I'm really hoping that doesn't happen though...

No for sure! My E90 is my first BMW and while I do enjoy it, I am aware of various little annoyances that I was certainly not expecting when buying a car like this. What I meant about it being more a nuisance was that it's not a mechanical fault as such, meaning, not going to result in one being stranded somewhere, but yes, very embarrassing when it happens - in mind I can hear people s****** as if to say, 'broken car'...

[sleepyx637]

I brought my car in for this exact issue this week. My car had squeak sounds from the rear when accelerating at low speeds (typically under 30mph). The dealership couldn't hear the sound when I first brought it in, but then I warmed up the car and the sound was clearly there. At first I thought that the brake sensor was rubbing or something, but it turned out that my rear wheel bearing was going bad and needed to be replaced. I just got my car back, and for the first time in a long time, did not hear any squeaks after pulling into the garage at work.

[GoRomeo]

Not sure if you noticed, but in my case there is 2 kinds of squicking. One is coming from the front wheels where I recently changed my rotors and pads, and the rear ones that I know need replacement. The front squick is sounds only before stopping very minimum. The rear squick sounds when in reverse, when turning and also low speeds. I will try bending dust shield if not i know i will have to replace rear rotors for sure. Still have OEM ones on, rear brake pads have been replaced once 3 years ago. So I am due for rotors and pads. Never in 6 years had squicking issues till after I changed to AM in front wheels.

Cheers!

[RSQ]

This is almost certainly a wheel bearing issue. For some reason the dealerships completely disregard this possibility when diagnosing noises, it's when you ask the question they will suddenly tell you the wheel bearing needs changing.

[crl8474]

This was one of the many reasons I traded my '09 e90. It was soooooo frustrating to see everyone in my parking garage turn their heads to find out what P.O.S was squeaking. Turns out that it was my $50K P.O.S. Tons of trips to the dealer, even had the service tech ride with me who acknowledged the problem but never could fix it.

Good luck.

[Three_thirty_I]

Okay, but if this is the wheel bearing, how come does the noise go away the moment you touch the brakes lightly, well in my car's case this has always been the case...

[DetectiveLoki]

This problem is quite annoying on my e93. I noticed that it's coming from my e-brake rubbing off on something whenever I accelerate (0 - 40). Why the e-brake? Because sometimes I would pull it just for a little bit, accelerate, and I can hear the squeaks. I wonder if pulling the e-brake and running on it for a little bit would help wear off the dusts or whatever it is...

[BlackBB6]

Originally Posted by crl8474

This was one of the many reasons I traded my '09 e90. It was soooooo frustrating to see everyone in my parking garage turn their heads to find out what P.O.S was squeaking. Turns out that it was my $50K P.O.S. Tons of trips to the dealer, even had the service tech ride with me who acknowledged the problem but never could fix it.

Good luck.

I am thinking of driving my beater honda to work because it would be far less embarrassing than the squeaks my car makes while in our parking garage. They replaced my rear pad sensor last December and there was no sound for a while, but it is back with a vengeance.

[PBGF32]

I fixed this issue with


Warmed up the brakes to verify it was coming from the rear, pulled pads and lubed all contact points including the clip that connects the pad inside the caliper piston. Put it all back together and warmed everything up again, no noise.