300C Brakes squeeling and rubbing

[ENSEY]

My C with 15K on it are starting to squeek a bit and make a low rubbing noise. I thougt for a while it was possibly tire noise, but it is becoming more obvious that its the brakes. Dealer checked at last oil change and said they heard the noise but found no problems. What should I do? Sorry if this has been discussed, but I could not find a post to help much.

[DZeckhausen]

Originally Posted by ENSEY

My C with 15K on it are starting to squeek a bit and make a low rubbing noise. I thougt for a while it was possibly tire noise, but it is becoming more obvious that its the brakes. Dealer checked at last oil change and said they heard the noise but found no problems. What should I do? Sorry if this has been discussed, but I could not find a post to help much.

When do the brakes make these noises? When you are applying the brakes lightly? When you are applying the brakes firmly? Every time you apply the brakes, regardless of pedal pressure? Even when you are not applying the brakes? Only during hard turns?

We need more details in order to even attempt a remote diagnosis.

[ENSEY]

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

When do the brakes make these noises? When you are applying the brakes lightly? When you are applying the brakes firmly? Every time you apply the brakes, regardless of pedal pressure? Even when you are not applying the brakes? Only during hard turns?

We need more details in order to even attempt a remote diagnosis.

Thanks for asking, it seems that the squeeling/squeeking noise is starting to happen in nearly all braking conditions, very subtle right now. The low rubbing sound seems obvious mainly when slowly coming to a stop.

[Model 57]

I hate to say it, but from what it sounds your brake pads may be worn out. If you get a rubbing noise, maybe like a slight growl, and it seems to be anytime that you apply the brakes. It sounds like you are just through the pad material, and getting to metal on metal.
I would have the brakes checked out right away. Take it to an independant brake shop, someone like Midas; most of them will check them out for free. They also will usually show you just what they find while they have things apart, so you can actually see how your brakes are wearing. 15,000 seems like pretty short brake life to me.

[DZeckhausen]

Originally Posted by Model 57

15,000 seems like pretty short brake life to me.

I have a customer who lives and works in San Francisco and he goes through a set of brake pads every 10,000 miles in his BMW 740iL. So 15,000 may not be unusual, depending on the type of driving ENSEY does. I've also seen a correlation with age. Younger drivers tend to wear out brakes faster, on average, than old drivers.

[DZeckhausen]

Originally Posted by ENSEY

Thanks for asking, it seems that the squeeling/squeeking noise is starting to happen in nearly all braking conditions, very subtle right now. The low rubbing sound seems obvious mainly when slowly coming to a stop.

Since your dealer just told you the brakes were fine, I doubt the pads are worn down to the backing plates. Go out and try the bedding procedure described here: http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm and see if that cures the noise problem. If not, then a return trip to the dealer is in order. You say they acknowledged the noise, but found nothing wrong? That sounds like a bedding issue to me.

[DZeckhausen]

It would be nice, if you had the tools and the motivation, to pull one front and one rear wheel off to inspect the amount of remaining pad material. If the pads are nearly worn, I would not suggest following the bedding procedure until you replace them.