Whats wrong with my brakes? Can i fix it myself?
Discussion
2004 e46 320d.
Nearside front brake is squealing at low speeds, usually at the end of travel when rolling up to a set of lights, or when setting off slowly. Stoped at about 15mph and also stops when brake is applied. Only does it going forward, not backward.
I suspected the caliper or brake were sticking a little bit. Under gentle breaking all is fine. Anyway, recently I had to do an emergency stop and the brake in question was smoking its b
ks off and smelt really bad for a couple of miles, then back to normal. I've not got the wheel pulling me to the nearside, and no excess buildup of brake dust (or heat) on the wheel compared to the other 3.
Took it to my uncles garage. He stuck it on the ramp and we could see the wheel wouldnt spin as easily as the others.
I wasnt paying too much attention, as he hit the rear part of the brake system (nearest the engine) with a large hammer
(dont ask, this is just how he works....)
Anyway, the wheel then rotated freely. He mentioned something about pins might be sticking. All was fine for about 5 miles and it started squealing again.
Tonight, i got an intense vibration/wobble through the wheel at about 40mph. I did a brake test and slammed on from about 50mph on a country road with nobody nearby. When i set off again, the wobble was gone and has not returned.
I assume the caliper is slightly stuck on. Under normal braking it's fine, but under heavy braking, it sticks more than it should and slowly frees itself off (best guess anyway).
Im not confident enough with brakes to strip them down and remove parts, but can i jack it up, take the wheel off, and copper grease everything (maybe the part that got ttted with the hammer) without removing pads, caliper etc? The car has only done 49k in 8 years, so i assume at this age with minimal usage, items like this will start to seize. Basically, can i fix this myself with some grease without having to remove anything aside from the wheel, or do i need to take it back to the big gorilla who tts things with hammers to fix them? 
Nearside front brake is squealing at low speeds, usually at the end of travel when rolling up to a set of lights, or when setting off slowly. Stoped at about 15mph and also stops when brake is applied. Only does it going forward, not backward.
I suspected the caliper or brake were sticking a little bit. Under gentle breaking all is fine. Anyway, recently I had to do an emergency stop and the brake in question was smoking its b
ks off and smelt really bad for a couple of miles, then back to normal. I've not got the wheel pulling me to the nearside, and no excess buildup of brake dust (or heat) on the wheel compared to the other 3.Took it to my uncles garage. He stuck it on the ramp and we could see the wheel wouldnt spin as easily as the others.
I wasnt paying too much attention, as he hit the rear part of the brake system (nearest the engine) with a large hammer
(dont ask, this is just how he works....)Anyway, the wheel then rotated freely. He mentioned something about pins might be sticking. All was fine for about 5 miles and it started squealing again.
Tonight, i got an intense vibration/wobble through the wheel at about 40mph. I did a brake test and slammed on from about 50mph on a country road with nobody nearby. When i set off again, the wobble was gone and has not returned.
I assume the caliper is slightly stuck on. Under normal braking it's fine, but under heavy braking, it sticks more than it should and slowly frees itself off (best guess anyway).
Im not confident enough with brakes to strip them down and remove parts, but can i jack it up, take the wheel off, and copper grease everything (maybe the part that got t
tted with the hammer) without removing pads, caliper etc? The car has only done 49k in 8 years, so i assume at this age with minimal usage, items like this will start to seize. Basically, can i fix this myself with some grease without having to remove anything aside from the wheel, or do i need to take it back to the big gorilla who tts things with hammers to fix them? You can unstick calipers without stripping them down. Take the pads out, spray lubricant such as gt85 around the piston, peeling back the dust seal to ensure it gets right in there. Then use a brake caliper rewind tool, g clamp or similar to cycle the piston in and out. It should start to free up after a few cycles.
It sounds like your brake pins want greasing or you've a sticky caliper, both aren't overly complicated to do but if you haven't done brakes before and aren't confident i'd leave them alone.
The pins are the 2 bolts that hold your caliper to the hub and let it slide along so they just unscrew and give them a clean and grease.
The pins are the 2 bolts that hold your caliper to the hub and let it slide along so they just unscrew and give them a clean and grease.
http://www.c3bmw.co.uk/StockItem.asp?categoryID=95...
That's where I got one for mine, excellent service.
That's where I got one for mine, excellent service.
clarkey540i said:
You can unstick calipers without stripping them down. Take the pads out, spray lubricant such as gt85 around the piston, peeling back the dust seal to ensure it gets right in there. Then use a brake caliper rewind tool, g clamp or similar to cycle the piston in and out. It should start to free up after a few cycles.
Be very careful using mineral oils and greases on break components, it can destroy the seals. I only ever use proper rubber grease.I'm concerned that the OP appears to have minimal concern for his own safety and even more so that of others.
Why not simply take the car to a reputable* garage and get it repaired properly?
What value can you place on absolute safety?
I'm struggling to understand how you have even allowed the problem to get this far tbh.
I would be well and truly pissed off if you failed to stop at a junction and crashed into my missus or one of my lads.
Why not simply take the car to a reputable* garage and get it repaired properly?
What value can you place on absolute safety?
I'm struggling to understand how you have even allowed the problem to get this far tbh.
I would be well and truly pissed off if you failed to stop at a junction and crashed into my missus or one of my lads.
- not somebody who simply "tts" things with hammers...
Edited by TonyRPH on Sunday 13th January 10:09
Any brake caliper problem needs a proper fix. Typically dirt/moisture get past an ageing rubber boot/seal and the piston begins to corrode, causing it jo jam in the caliper. Lubrication is NOT the answer. Sometimes the caliper can be re-furbed with a new piston and seals but these days it's probably more usual simply to replace the whole thing. An old caliper from a scrap yard is a possible solution but it may be as bad as what's already on your car. If you've got brake issues on one end of an axle always check/refurb/replace the other end too.
TonyRPH said:
I'm concerned that the OP appears to have minimal concern for his own safety and even more so that of others.
Why not simply take the car to a reputable* garage and get it repaired properly?
What value can you place on absolute safety?
I would be well and truly pissed off if you failed to stop at a junction and crashed into my missus or one of my lads.
I think that's a little harsh, it's not pulling and stops fine he's taken it to an Uncle who presumably has enough experience to see it's not in a very dangerous condition and he's asking on here. Why not simply take the car to a reputable* garage and get it repaired properly?
What value can you place on absolute safety?
I would be well and truly pissed off if you failed to stop at a junction and crashed into my missus or one of my lads.
- not somebody who simply "tts" things with hammers...
Edited by TonyRPH on Sunday 13th January 10:09
TonyRPH said:
I'm struggling to understand how you have even allowed the problem to get this far tbh.
absolutely this is the key, OP you've tried a family contact I'd bite the bullet and get on to a mobile mechanic or local kwikfit/small garage, it will be child's play for them to sort. Edited by TonyRPH on Sunday 13th January 10:09
Scootersp said:
I think that's a little harsh, it's not pulling and stops fine he's taken it to an Uncle who presumably has enough experience to see it's not in a very dangerous condition and he's asking on here.
He has hypothetically just taken out someones family after one brake failed to work, probably sped off afterwards laughing about it.tercelgold said:
He has hypothetically just taken out someones family after one brake failed to work, probably sped off afterwards laughing about it.
How has the brake failed to work? The thing stops perfectly. If anything, it stops too well, because the thing is sticking on.It's not like im riding around with an anchor on the passenger seat ready to throw out, just in case i need to consider stopping in the next 20 miles.
Please please please take this to someone who knows all about it, honestly, you'll kick yourself if something goes wrong.
Failing that, do you have a friend or family member is who is familiar, and could supervise you ?
These mech-an-ic jobbies do an apprenticeship for a reason.
I love to "help" my mechy friends, they aren't always so pleased lol, but brakes and substances to lubricate do not mix as a general rule, as you know of course.
Good Luck
Failing that, do you have a friend or family member is who is familiar, and could supervise you ?
These mech-an-ic jobbies do an apprenticeship for a reason.
I love to "help" my mechy friends, they aren't always so pleased lol, but brakes and substances to lubricate do not mix as a general rule, as you know of course.
Good Luck
fjord said:
tercelgold said:
He has hypothetically just taken out someones family after one brake failed to work, probably sped off afterwards laughing about it.
How has the brake failed to work? The thing stops perfectly. If anything, it stops too well, because the thing is sticking on.It's not like im riding around with an anchor on the passenger seat ready to throw out, just in case i need to consider stopping in the next 20 miles.
I do realise that the car has dual circuit brakes - but it's still not inconceivable that you could get it badly wrong.
It's great that you want to attempt to repair this yourself, however there are some things that should be left to the more knowledgeable diy'er, or a proper garage.
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