So long story short, my car has been parked for the better part of 2 years, but we're finally reunited. I've noticed the past couple of days though that it makes a bit of a groaning noise when I'm stopping in the morning. I have the stock R53 brake calipers with EBC red pads and solid discs. I've run this setup for years and don't remember it ever making this noise, but my memory could be rusty. Any thoughts on what it could be?

So far it only makes it for the first stop or 2 in the morning. It's not a brake squeal, it's more of a rubbery growling/groaning noise. I thought it might be the strut mounts since I changed them not too long before I put it in storage, but I don't think it's them. I think tonight I'm going to pull my wheels off and just make sure everything is torqued properly, but it doesn't feel like anything is loose when I brake.

 

If it’s humid or wet overnight, the rotors can build a layer of rust. It will take the first couple of stops to clean up the rotors enough to not make the noise anymore. It’s pretty normal.

 

True, but it's not really like that, it only makes the noise at the end of the stop, when I'm letting off pressure from the brake pedal to keep the car from rocking forwards and backwards after it's come to a stop (I'm not the only one that does that, right?)

 

I'd put some more miles on it and usually it will go away as you clean up the rotors more. They likely have some pits from sitting so long.

 

2 years sitting, I'd do a brake fluid flush if it was mine.

 

A fluid flush is on the list, I flushed the brakes a couple of months before I parked it, so the fluid isn't super old, and looks good. I pulled the wheels and made sure everything is torqued, the discs look perfect, I'm kind of leaning towards a little glaze or dirt on the pads, so we'll see if it keeps up I might pull the pads and look at them.

The car is a little on hold for a few more days because I'm studying for a board exam for school, 16-18 hour days in the library doesn't really leave much time for wrenching, but I'll have time soon.

Thanks for the replies and ideas, I'll post back if I find something unusual with the pads.

 

I put reds on the front on my R52 a few weeks back. I haven't heard a noise yet.

 

yeah, I've run reds for years and I don't remember ever noticing any noise, but this noise has been fairly consistent so I'm not sure what's going on.

 

Before pulling things apart, go out and re-bed the brakes. That will help get rid of any glazing on the rotors which may be causing the noise. Both of my cars run the reds and they are both perfectly quiet.

If you are not sure how to bed brakes. look at Dave Zeckhausen's website for a good discussion.

Regards,
Jerry

 

Well, just thought I'd update this thread, it was especially chilly this morning and I noticed my brakes making a groaning as I released pressure on the pedal at a light. I warmed the brakes up a little before the next light and the noise went away. Still no idea what's causing the noise, but I don't think it's serious.

 

EBC mentions in their literature that their pads can be noisy

 

Yeah, I've seen that, I think I just assumed that they meant they could squeal, which is usually what I think of when I think of brake noise, but this is definitely not a squeal. It's more of a shudder, and at less than 3 mph. It really makes the noise when the pads release from the disc.

 

What was done when you last did the brakes? Pads, rotors (replace/resurface), return spring, etc.

 

It almost sounds like you might have at least one caliper dragging (slow to release or not releasing properly) when you take your foot off the brake peddle.

 

I put new pads, discs, and brake fluid in it last time I serviced it, and lubed the bushings. The pad wear looks pretty even, and I've never noticed a hot wheel/disc on a normal drive. I can also hear the noise from multiple corners, at least both sides on the front for sure.