[The_DDub]

I got my car used and the non-BMW dealer who sold it replaced the pads but not the sensors. They squeal when coming to a slow stop, squeal when reversing and sometimes make a grinding noise when backing up.

Can I put anti-squeal on the clip that holds them in place or put anti-squeal on the back of the sensor? I really want the squealing to stop, hopefully without having to buy new sensors.

Honestly, I haven't taken the wheels off yet to look at it.

[Express]

sounds like you need new brakes.

[The_DDub]

I have an extended maint warranty through BMW, so once the computer comes up, BMW will replace it. But I want the squeal to stop until then.

[BKV122]

pull brake sensor out and zip tie it off.

[mike3000fl]

dude the sensor should not squeal, if the pads are so worn down the sensor is touching your rotor the pads are shot and need replacing.

see how much meat is left on your pads, if they have meat then you probably need to just remove the pads and coat the back with anti squeal gel.

the sensor is electronic, if it was causing the squeal you would have a light on your dash light up and you would be at the point where you need new pads.

[josephbet01]

Exactly.

Get a new wear sensor from the dealer and some Cool Carbon pads online. (I got a wear sensor online and it didn't fit correctly)

Do that and call it a day. Enjoy your new ride!

[klove83]

Is there just one sensor for the front? I need to do my breaks and unsure if I need 1 or 2 sensors? Any good venders selling the sensors?

Thanks

[josephbet01]

There is a wear sensor on the drivers front and passengers rear. I would suggest getting the sensors from the dealership because of fitment. You can use aftermarket pads. Got my brakes from bavauto.com

I got my sensors online and they never would stay in the pad. The ones bought from the dealer worked fine.

They're cheap and you only need 2. One front, one back.

[klove83]

Thanks for the info

[The_DDub]

I worked on my brakes this weekend and here is what I found, what I did and the outcome.

Findings:
1. Front brake pads were OEM BMW with shims. Noise the fronts made were a squeal when reversing. The front sensor had orange CRC anti-squeal, which was most likely put on by a BMW service tech. The pads have ~40% life left.
2. Rear brake pads were aftermarket, installed by the dealer I bought the car from. They attempted to stop the squeal with red CRC which comes in a spray bottle. That stuff sucks compared to the orange CRC which comes in a tube, IMO. Brakes probably have 85% life left

Work:
1. Took off all the sensors, pads and shims. Fronts: orange CRC behind the pads (between shims and calipers) and orange CRC on the brake sensor clip area. Rear: Orange CRC between the pads, shims and calipers and also on the brake sensor clip area

Results:
All my complaints in the original post have been resolved. No squealing when slowing to a stop, no squealing when reversing and no grinding from the front driver's corner when reversing.

Orange CRC FTW.

[David1]

If you had to use that much CRC, then the pads are shit. You should not need any at all on a street pad.

[The_DDub]

Originally Posted by David1

If you had to use that much CRC, then the pads are shit. You should not need any at all on a street pad.

Well the fronts are OEM BMW pads, so not sure what you think about those. Don't know the brand of the rears. Either way, I am not going to swap pads out, unless the CRC didn't fix the squealing and I wanted to be 100% sure the squealing would stop. It was probably overkill to do the CRC between the shims and pads, but I didn't want to have to take off the wheels and calipers again.

[byoung8]

Originally Posted by The_DDub

Well the fronts are OEM BMW pads, so not sure what you think about those. Don't know the brand of the rears. Either way, I am not going to swap pads out, unless the CRC didn't fix the squealing and I wanted to be 100% sure the squealing would stop. It was probably overkill to do the CRC between the shims and pads, but I didn't want to have to take off the wheels and calipers again.

No harm in making sure you got it the first time. All that work by yourself without air tools or a lift takes the energy out of you and probably would've been frustrated for the noise to still be present. Good job...