I had a squealing brake noise develop two days after I bought my Mini. It would start around 5omph and not stop unless I lightly pressed the brakes. Took the right rear wheel apart and this is what I found, let me know what you think:






Inside of rotor gouged pretty good


Outside of rotor

 

Sticking caliper? I've not done brakes on my MINI yet, so I don't know how the pads are retained. Typically when you see different wear patterns between inside and outside the rotor, the caliper is dragging and needs lubrication where the pads slide in the caliper.

I can't tell how much is left on the inboard pad, but it doesn't look like metal to metal contact. If there is still plenty of brake pad material left, and the pads have set into the grooves (it looks like this from the photos), then somebody probably replaced pads while neglecting the rotors.

If you bought this from a dealer, I would take it back and show them. If you bought it private party, you may be buying some rotors very soon.

 

Just go ahead and replace the rear pads and rotors, it's not that expensive and you'll have peace of mind.......probably ought to check the fronts too!

Make sure the parking brake isn't hanging up.....the inner pad on mine always wears a little faster than the outer - looks like the PO let them go too far. Way too far!

 

I swapped out the rotor and pads today. Very easy job. There is still some drag on the wheel, but I think its normal. I only did the right rear, everything on the left rear looked brand new. Less than a $100 for rotor and pads from AZ.

 

Keep an eye on that corner. There may be an underlying caliper issue that caused the problem in the first place. As long as you inspect it occasionally, the pad wear will let you know.

 

After replacing the pads and rotor, it still squeaks. I took everything apart a second time after learning about the retaining clips on the inside pad. After correcting the clips, it still squeaks constantly unless I swerve to the left or hit the brakes. The squeak has such a high pitch, it penetrates my brain! I am going to take it apart for a third time and recheck the clips. Should I apply lube?

 

Here is what I found today. Doesn't appear that the pads are wearing even, so I lubed everything, verified that the retainer clips were properly attached, and I adjusted the parking brake. The parking brake made a big difference in the way the wheel spins, and the tension on the ebrake handle when I pull it. I am beginning to wonder if it really was dragging. I also noticed that the metal retainer clip on the outswide of the caliper is not very tight, I can take it on and off with my hands. I do not have to pry it off like mentioned in other write ups. This particular clip is also missing on the left rear tire.

 

After all that, it still squeaks. I noticed today that hitting a bump sets it off, or 15/20 minutes of driving and does not stop until I park the car and it sits overnight with the ebrake engaged. It gets louder as I drive, and it almost sounds like the key cutting machine at Lowe's. I ordered two new retainer clips, and four guide pins. Trying to go through the process of elimination without throwing to much money at a non existent problem. The only thing left after this is a bearing or caliper.

 

I installed new sliding pins and new retaining clips on both reart wheels, and the squeak magically disappeared. When I had the left rear wheel pulled all the way down to the hub I noticed a catch with every spin, a little scratchy in one spot. Assuming it was a bad bearing, I ordered two new hubs off of ebay. I hated to do so, but at the time I figure that was the squeak. Then I drove it, and the squeak was gone. So I am not sure if I will sit on the hubs for a while, or replace the bad one when I change the rotor and pads. At this point, I hate to check the front!

 

A follow up to my original post - so that other folks don't do the same thing I did - the inboard pad is shaped differently than the outboard pad. I had them mixed up, so once in the correct positions, all seems well. Paying attention to detail is always so critical!

 

bluesky

you in the right place?

You did a followup to a thread last active in 2012

 

hi
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Keep an eye on that particular nook. It's possible that the problem was triggered by an underlying caliper issue in the first place. The pad wear will alert you as long as you examine it on a regular basis.