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Persistent Squealing Brakes on my 2017 Cooper S

0

Mike T. · rep 0 · May 25, 4:57 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2017 Mini Cooper S (F56)

Hey everyone,

I've got a 2017 Mini Cooper S (F56) with about 50,000 miles, and lately, the brakes have been incredibly noisy. It's a high-pitched squeal that's most noticeable when I'm braking lightly or coming to a stop at low speeds. It's really embarrassing in traffic!

I had the pads and rotors replaced about 15,000 miles ago with aftermarket parts, and it wasn't an issue right after that. Could it be time for new pads already, or is something else going on? The braking performance itself seems fine, no pulsing or grinding, just that awful squeal. Any ideas what might be causing this?

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 25, 4:57 AM

0

ClearTheCode admin answer:

Persistent brake squeal can be annoying but isn't always a sign of a major problem. Here's a breakdown of common causes and what to do:

  1. Pad Material and Glazing: Some aftermarket brake pads, especially performance-oriented ones, are designed with harder compounds that can be prone to squealing, particularly when cold or during light braking. Over time, the pad surface can also become 'glazed' from heat, leading to noise.
  2. Wear Indicators: Your Mini has brake pad wear sensors. If the squeal is a metallic scraping sound, it could indicate that your pads are worn down to the wear indicators, meaning they need immediate replacement. However, since you mentioned it's a high-pitched squeal, this is less likely to be the primary cause if the pads were recently replaced.
  3. Improper Installation/Anti-Squeal Shims: If the pads were installed without proper anti-squeal shims or brake grease on the backing plates, vibration can occur between the pad and caliper, causing noise. This is a common oversight.
  4. Rotor Condition: While you mentioned no pulsing, sometimes uneven rotor wear or minor imperfections can contribute to noise. Also, if the rotors weren't properly cleaned before new pads were installed, contaminants could be an issue.
  5. Brake Dust: Accumulation of brake dust can also cause squealing. A good cleaning of the brake components can sometimes resolve this.

When to see a shop:

  • If the squeal turns into a grinding noise, stop driving immediately and have your brakes inspected. This indicates metal-on-metal contact, which can severely damage rotors.
  • If you notice any change in braking performance, such as reduced stopping power, a soft pedal, or pulling to one side.
  • If you're unsure about the cause or uncomfortable inspecting the brakes yourself. A professional can diagnose the exact issue, which might involve disassembling the calipers, cleaning components, applying anti-squeal compound, or potentially replacing the pads again with a different compound.
  • Consider having the shop check for proper brake bedding procedures, as sometimes new pads need to be 'bedded in' correctly to prevent noise.
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