Miserable squealing front brakes!

[r65lsk75c]

Well, I've tried everything that I can think of. Cannot get the front brakes on my '87 K75C to stop squealing. Put in Dot 5 fluid about 12 years ago - just flushed and replaced it a couple of weeks ago. Bought new BMW pads this spring - no help. Sanded the backs of the pads and sprayed a couple of coats of disk brake anti-squeal - problem was back in a couple of days. Can' imagine that the rotors are warped - I bought the bike new and it's got a very gentle 28K miles on it. The brakes even squeal when I push the bike around in the garage.

It's about to drive me nuts! Any suggestions on what might cure my noisy brake ailment?

Rick T.

[kbasa]

Have you tried putting some high temp grease on the edges of the pads where they ride in the calipers?

[r65lsk75c]

No, I haven't tried applying grease to any portion of the pads - afraid of causing other problems by doing this. Can you recommend a specific lubricant and a technique for applying it.

Thanks,
Rick T

[kbasa]

I had some high temp stuff I used made by Dow? It came in a little accoridion squeeze bottle.

[gsmetal]

I have the same problem on my wife's K75.

I'm convinced there is so much dust and crap in the calipers by the piston that it's causing the vibration which causes the squeaking.

This winter I'm going to redo the entire calipers. Dust seals & all.

And yes, I have tried new pads and the "anti-squeel" goop.

[sgborgstrom]

Been there, done that.

I was replacing a set of EBC's this spring when I put on a stock BMW set, dealer only had stockers on the shelf, my old pads were close enough to toast that I didn't want to wait

Put fresh BMW pads on and put up with squeal for a month or so then found a set of "organic compound" EBC pads...no more squeal. Something to do with the sintered metal in the BMW pad compound that makes 'em squeal. FWIW I think the EBC's also work better.

Steve

[deilenberger]

Originally posted by corvair65
Well, I've tried everything that I can think of. Cannot get the front brakes on my '87 K75C to stop squealing. Put in Dot 5 fluid about 12 years ago - just flushed and replaced it a couple of weeks ago. Bought new BMW pads this spring - no help. Sanded the backs of the pads and sprayed a couple of coats of disk brake anti-squeal - problem was back in a couple of days. Can' imagine that the rotors are warped - I bought the bike new and it's got a very gentle 28K miles on it. The brakes even squeal when I push the bike around in the garage.

It's about to drive me nuts! Any suggestions on what might cure my noisy brake ailment?

Rick T.

Two suggestions:

1. Wear earplugs
2. Use the brakes more aggressively.. squeal is a sign the pads are glazed. More agressive use will avoid this.

Well.. another suggestion:

3. Remove pads and make sure they aren't binding in the caliper. With the pistons moved back they should move easily in and out of the top of the caliper. If they bind - clean the caliper opening, and/or file a bit of metal off the edge of the backing plate.

And - squeal is a feature. Loud brakes save lives. (Mine actually make no noise - but my front tire looks like heck from cupping 'cause I do use the front brake very aggressively.)

BTW - I would not suggest to anyone that they put DOT5 in their BMW brake systems. I won't go into detail on why - and I won't reply to any comments on my comment (it seems a religious sort of thing for a lot of people) - but if BMW recommends against it - don't do it.

Best,

[jgr451]

I have always been of the belief that brake squeal is caused by dust between the pad and rotor.:dunno