Annoying brake squeal

[DocSteve]

Hi,

I have an E60 535d Touring which has an annoying brake squeal at low speeds/coming to a stop.

I had it back to the dealer who said there was a lot of crap built up on the rear brakes so stripped them down and cleaned them up (I only recently bought the car from a BMW dealer). This has made it louder if anything. They reckon the pads and discs are absolutely fine but I feel like a tit pulling up at the lights like an old bus.

I've tried reversing it a few yards and stamping on the anchors. Should I be more aggressive with this or anything else to consider?

Cheers.

[jonamacg83]

I would check to see if the pads were meant to come with any anti squeal shims - the number of times these break or fall off or were never fitted is quite amazing! try some copper grease (not ordinary grease!)between the pad and the piston, it may give enough damping to get rid of some of the squeal. Failing that, softer pads I would say if the reversing thing did not work.

Jonny

[wingnut.]

Take a hacksaw and cut a vertical line down the centre of the pad about a 1/4 way in (on new pads) and also shave a small percentage off the leading edge of the friction surface, this should allow for the excess dust to leave the pad easier.

As for copper grease, only use it where the pad makes contact with the caliper or the pad carrier, too many people paint the whole of the pad and this just attracts most crap dust etc.

Hope this helps, 10 yrs in the trade and has worked many times!

Happy spannering!