Hello all,

Spent this past Saturday replacing brake pads all around on my wife '07 cabrio. Went with a set of Hawk ceramic performance pads. Everything went well, although it took some time. Brake pad señor light went out, peddle pressure came back, etc. went out for a quick test drive to "bed" the pads, according to the instructions on the Hawk website (i.e. 6-10 stops from 30-34 mph with moderate pressure and 2-3 hard stops from 40-45 mph) everything "seems" fine.

However, my wife and 7-year-old son say they here a noise, that sounds like a dog panting?! My wife says it sounds like it's coming from the driver's side rear. I assume that "could" mean something's rubbing, etc., but I 've not driven the car to hear it for myself.

All this said... can anyone offer suggestions, as to what I should look for, or listen for? Or advice on how to fix it? Could it just be the new pads?!


Many thanks for your thoughts and/or advice.

 

Did you turn the rotors, sounds like the pads are rubbing. There is always a slight pressure to the pads against the rotor, if the rotor and/or pads are not concentric they will make sounds like a rubbing noise only when the high spot comes around. Give it a couple more days to maybe better seat the new pads, but if it is consistent then I would say you need to turn the rotors.

 

MINI does not recommend 'turning' rotors ... buy new ones if you feel this is necessary

did you turn the rear pistons when you were pushing them back to make room for the new pads?

 

Capt_bj, that is pretty funny, not being sarcastic, but the Mini Dealer did turn my rotors the first time I needed brakes while still under warranty. Granted I don't turn them evey time but I will do it once and machine shops are willing to do it. I have 110,000 miles and never a problem, constant care of course.

 

If the pads have been turned once...and had a set of pads wear out...
Bet they are pretty thin....
For YEARS MINI flat out refused to turn rotors...even under warrenty...they would toss them...and put new ones on...said turning rotors on a "performance car" was determintal to braking due to loss of mass....eventually it got too $$ and they stated doing Pad slap brake jobs...somtimes turning rotors under warrenty....