E39 525i Front Breaks Squeaking

[jeff_denning]

Heya guys,

Not too sure on where start on this one, so need some advise here please guys
Every time I come to a slow stop at a robot, stop street etc both my front breaks squeak. When I'm braking at high speeds (normally to stop for a VW driver :hammerhead: ) there's no noise at all.

Do the pads or disks need to be replaced? If either need to be replaced, what is the better way to go brand wise?

 

[whattingh]

According to bentley manual:
brake squeal:
Brake pad carriers dirty or corroded or pads loose in carrier
or
brake pad glazed or oil soaked
or
wheel bearings worn( most pronounced when turning)
or
incorrectly install brake pads


Min brake pad thinkness 3mm

Could also just be dirt or dust.

 

[Gregmeister]

Hey Jeff

I had the same thing with my previous 528i. Turned out the previous owner had put cheap discs and pads on. With advice from my mech, I replaced mine with Bilstein Pads & Discs as an alternative to the ballistically expensive BMW OEM's and they turned out to be quite good. No more squeal and good feel. A general rule with these cars - they don't like the cheap stuff. Hope you sort it. Squealing brakes is a killjoy.

 

[zaleonardz]

Jeff,

WHere are you based ?

 

[jeff_denning]

@whattingh & Gregmeister: Thanks guys. Will have a look at the options tomorrow

@zaleonardz: I'm in Cape Town dude.

 

[rick540]

Jeff

Before you do anything else....

First try washing everything inside there with some good engine cleaner.

I have OEM discs and pads on my E39 and after rain here in CPT the diesel and junk on the roads collects on the brake assemlies and they squeel. I give them a serious clean with soap based Midas engine cleaner, shove the hose good in there to rinse and the squeel is gone.

I also stopped using silicone spray on my tires after washing as it had the same effect.

 

[jeff_denning]

Thanks Rick, will give that a shot sometime today
When I picked up the car they'd put silicone spray on the tires which might have caused it. Wash time today and I'll see if it makes any difference.

Appreciate the advise!

 

[calypso]

Mine squeak if I don't poes them once in a while.

 

[jeff_denning]

Jeff

Before you do anything else....

First try washing everything inside there with some good engine cleaner.

I have OEM discs and pads on my E39 and after rain here in CPT the diesel and junk on the roads collects on the brake assemlies and they squeel. I give them a serious clean with soap based Midas engine cleaner, shove the hose good in there to rinse and the squeel is gone.

I also stopped using silicone spray on my tires after washing as it had the same effect.

Thanks dude!
Rep added for this one.

Got hold of some engine cleaner this weekend and gave them a bit of a clean - it worked damn well.
I think the silicone spray that was on the tires also didn't really help. After a day of driving though, the squeak is coming back :/ This weekend I'll concentrate on the brakes, and the brakes only. Will let you know how things go

 

[rick540]

Jeff

Before you do anything else....

First try washing everything inside there with some good engine cleaner.

I have OEM discs and pads on my E39 and after rain here in CPT the diesel and junk on the roads collects on the brake assemlies and they squeel. I give them a serious clean with soap based Midas engine cleaner, shove the hose good in there to rinse and the squeel is gone.

I also stopped using silicone spray on my tires after washing as it had the same effect.

Thanks dude!
Rep added for this one.

Got hold of some engine cleaner this weekend and gave them a bit of a clean - it worked damn well.
I think the silicone spray that was on the tires also didn't really help. After a day of driving though, the squeak is coming back :/ This weekend I'll concentrate on the brakes, and the brakes only. Will let you know how things go

You are welcome!

Try cleaning both sides if you can get your hand around the wheel, hope it works permenantly like it did for me.

If it doesn't PM me for another low cost fix.

 

[msm]

If the pads are still fairly new, try bedding them in. Do a Google search on the topic, but basically it involves a good few continuous braking cycles from higher speeds without stopping the car (e.g. 120km/hr to 40km/hr HARD braking for about 10 times).

Remember not to stop immediately afterwards though and drive for a few KMs without braking (or light braking only) to let the discs cool down.

WARNING: If you've got really cheap, cr@p pads on, this may f*(k them up. For OEM or other decent pads, they should handle this without any issues.