Hey guys,

So this is something that's been plaguing me since I bought the car, Light to medium brake force consistently results in the front brakes squealing like crazy. Especially at the start of any drive. My service department has even replaced the front pads multiple times and they still squeal every time I drive so its not like its cause the brakes are worn out.

I do tend to brake pretty early and it's almost always light to medium braking (I brake like a grandma). But none of my other cars in the past have done this. I live in the desert southwest if that helps.

Though it seems to lessen after driving a little and using the brakes hard, which makes me think its glazing maybe? Do I just try to slam on my brakes every time now until its taken care of? haha idk, what are your thoughts? It's just super obnoxious and embarrassing to have my car squealing for like 100 feet while I brake for a red light in traffic

 

I'll share with you what BMW recommends. I have found it has worked for all of my cars that began the squeeling thing. Squeeling often occurs if the lubrication between pad metal and caliper metal has dried out a bit, or if your pads are glazed or have road crap imbedded into the pads. I find this squealing is more prevalent when our cars are driven less than moderately, as in your case. To perform: Find a deserted or very lightly traveled road. Get your speed up to about 50 mph (not quickly), and aggressively mash the brakes relatively hard until your speed is down to about 10 mph. Do this several times (I suggest 5), but don't brake hard enough to set off your ABS, and don't do this on wet roads. Yes, your brakes and wheels will get hot but you will only do good things to your pads and rotors. The process is called Bedding your brakes. I'll bet this eliminates your squealing. If it does not you may be due to have those pads and rotors sliding surfaces re-lubed with high-temp grease. You may even need this lube touchup anyway, but I'm thinking it is glazing or trapped crud is your problem. Good luck and please let us know your results. Then we will all learn what works and what does not.

 

Awesome, thanks for the advice! I'll try it out next time I have time. Plenty of nice deserted desert roads out here to try it on

 

Careful here- the "sliding surfaces" are NOT the rotors! Copper slip (grease) can be applied judicioulsy to the BACK of the pads- where the pistons contact the back of the brake pad. This is what you need to address, 100% solution

 

Oops. I knew that. Just a temporary slip of the brain. Do not put grease on the rotors.

 

I knew you knew that...also, the accelerating/ braking thing can also be done in reverse-it counters the one- way directional shmutz on the rotors, and can even alter the time/ space continum if done carefully and at extremely high velocity...

 

ha!

 

So I did the whole 50 mph and then hard braking and it took like 5 times and then I did one reverse one for good measure haha but it seems to have worked! Hopefully it lasts but thanks for the tip!

I felt bad doing it to the car but that brake squealing was killing me lol

 

glad that work for you. I'm thinking that should work for quite a while.