[AstroBoy d^_^b]

So I take AstroBoy down for some new boots (Eagle F1's... love 'em!) and in the week following, a strange grinding noise starts coming from the rear left wheel (could be conicidence). Thing is, it only happens sometimes, not all, when braking. Also on a sweeping right hand turn, there is a slight grabbing sound, not quite grinding, but just touching.

Sounds like worn pads, but when I was getting the new tyres on, I checked all pads, front and back, and they seemed fine. If anything, the rears were looking better off than the fronts!

Took him down to the local brake guys (the tyre guys were too busy to see me) to check it out and see what they would say, and after inspection, they turn around and tell me that I need all four discs and sets of pads replaced! (and he discovered this without even taking the wheels off!). "What!", I said, it's only been on the road for a year! Yep, I may drive it a little hard. Yep, I may pull on the handbrake in this car more than I have in any other (I can't help it...), but to have them tell me the discs need replacing so soon is just ludicrous!

When I questioned this, the dude tells me that the standard MCS discs are too soft out of the factory and with such a small.... blah blah blah. He then tries to sell me a full Brembo re-work with Bendix pads with the cost going out to around A$1300! I promptly told him to shove it right up his proverbial and drove off.

Now, this guy is more than likely having a lend of me, and I'm reluctant to take it to BMW as we all know they will tell you anything as well (well, most will), but has anyone heard of this before? He's got 31,000kms (19,000miles) on the clock, at which point I could understand the need for pads, but discs as well!!

I've searched the forums for info on tolerances as far as pad wear and disc wear, but can't seem to find anything solid. What is the acceptable sizes for pads and discs front and rear in mm's before needing to be replaced? With this info, I can pull the wheels off and give it a quick visual check myself and make my decision as to who to take it to and for what then.

Thanks for any advice in advance...

[AstroBoy d^_^b]

On doing a little more digging, I came across this tidbit in a thread from Jun 2005.

Quote:"The noise I heard from the front end, ascribed by dealer number 1 was due to worn discs/pads. Dealer number 2 offered a cheaper alternative which they have been advised by BMW as a fix. If there is a rubbing/grinding noise from the front wheels, and the disc/pads are ok, it is the action of the tyre bead on the rims. Dont ask, he didnt understand and I dont, but thats what BMW have advised. To fix it the tyre needs to be removed, rotated a 1/4 turn and refitted to the rim. No point doing that on mine as there is very little life left in the fronts. He said that they had had 2 cars in today with the same rubbing/grinding noise and a 1/4 turn fixed it!!! Maybe someone could enlighten the group?!?"

Has anyone heard further on this or care to offer an explanation as to why this could be and how this fixes it? Seeing as I had my tyres changed and this sound happened after that, it's worth me investigating. (Although it still may be just be a coinicdence). I would love to go back to the tyre guys with some solid information and get them to at least attempt this first before embarking on brakes.
Hey I'll get them to check the pads and discs for me while they're at it... properly... with the wheels off!! (Can't believe that dude, hey?)

Peace

[ChallengeRacer]

Astro, I have 6000 km on my MC and have replaced the brake pads twice, and ground the rotors once (minimum thickness before replacement is, I believe 24mm)...of course, I race the Mini...but it gives you some idea of how quickly aggressive driving kills the pads, and these are intermediate road/race pads. We are getting into the ABS on nearly every corner, which is not done on the street, of course.

You can see the pad wear without removing the tires, but there's really no way anyone can tell you that you need new discs without pulling the wheels off the car and (1)measuring the thickness, (2) measuring the run-out, and (3) ensuring there is no cracking (unlikely from road driving).

Also, the rears will always wear more slowly than the fronts, unless you like doing handbrake turns on the road...we call them "bootleg turns," and they are murder on rear brakes.

The "tyre rotation" story is a new one!! Never heard that one before, and can't begin to explain the rationale...assuming the guy is actually serious, maybe it has something to do with runflats...I have no experience with them at all.

Hope you find the problem!

Stephen.

[CoryB]

It's really not at all unusual to replace rotors at each brake job any more. Back in the olden days, drums and rotors could be resurfaced - often several times - before needing to be replaced. Nowadays they're made so cheaply that it's better to replace them - I have a hard time even finding anyone who'll resurface them.

While the Brembos may be too expensive for you, there are a number of other aftermarket parts that will be better than OEM quality and much less expensive. Do some shopping and you should be able to find something good that won't break the bank.

[Jammy Dodger]

I had mine done at 46,000 miles. MINI of Peabody told me that they need to be done around 45,000 average.

I might have done a bad thing though; I replaced just the pads... enough to pass inspection. Hey... it's all the money I had at the time. I will go to get them all done soon though.

I feel your pain...

[bubblegoose]

I had front & rear discs & pads changed at 26,000 miles in my MCS.
Tbh the MINIs eat brakes for fun!

The tyre thing will be a completely different issue. Yes it is a known thing to BMW / MINI & it does work if there is a noise evident. It only happens on the 16" wheel & its the beading of the tyre that is moving under pressure against the alloy that causes a rubbing sound - normally only really heard when manoevering in a car park. All they do is take the tyre off the wheel, rotate it 90 degrees & fit it back on, ensuring that the beading is correct...... Strange but completely true. I've heard it on a few MINI's now and everytime its fixed it

Hope this helps,
Dave