Hot Alloy, Exessive brake dust, Strong odour?

dave09a · 08-21-2014, 05:48 PM

Hi looking to get an opinion on a bit of a situation with my 320d (2005 E90)
Keep in mind the car was fully washed just on the weekend and only one long motorway trip since them (140km~). My rear right alloy is heating up and hot to the touch, theirs a strong smell from the rear arch, the rear right alloy is also black with brake dust.

Is it possible this is just a brake pad at the end of its life?

Pics below. (Big difference in dust on the inside of the alloys?)

Sheepy · 08-21-2014, 06:34 PM

I'm no expert but last time I had a problem with those symptoms it was a seized brake caliper.

dave09a · 08-21-2014, 06:36 PM

Expensive?

cdgatti · 08-22-2014, 06:16 AM

you could definitely benefit from new pads, those are quite thin so you won't be throwing money away getting them replaced. and have them check for correct brake action during the work.

N8N · 08-22-2014, 06:24 AM

That uneven pad wear suggests to me that the caliper is not sliding freely. A new hardware kit along with new pads is probably in order. If that is the RR you will need a new wear sensor as well. Might as well get a hardware kit for the other rear wheel as you'll be replacing the pads on the LR as well.

techwhiz · 08-22-2014, 05:25 PM

Bad caliper. Piston is stuck or the caliper had stuck on the guides.

dave09a · 08-23-2014, 09:13 AM

Booked into my go-to garage on Monday.
Need to get a belt tensioner changed as well so may as well.

N8N · 08-23-2014, 09:46 AM

If the piston were stuck but the slides were free both pads would be worn evenly. I'm sticking with my answer of slides. Probably a torn boot allowing water to corrode the pins and make them stick.

08-21-2014, 05:48 PM	#1
dave09a New Member 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: e90 320d Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Dublin iTrader: (0)	Hot Alloy, Exessive brake dust, Strong odour? Hi looking to get an opinion on a bit of a situation with my 320d (2005 E90) Keep in mind the car was fully washed just on the weekend and only one long motorway trip since them (140km~). My rear right alloy is heating up and hot to the touch, theirs a strong smell from the rear arch, the rear right alloy is also black with brake dust. Is it possible this is just a brake pad at the end of its life? Pics below. (Big difference in dust on the inside of the alloys?) Attached Images
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08-21-2014, 06:34 PM	#2
Sheepy First Lieutenant 181 Rep 379 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Competition Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: York iTrader: (0)	I'm no expert but last time I had a problem with those symptoms it was a seized brake caliper.
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08-21-2014, 06:36 PM	#3
dave09a New Member 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: e90 320d Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Dublin iTrader: (0)	Expensive?
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08-22-2014, 06:16 AM	#4
cdgatti Colonel 255 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: e90 328i Join Date: May 2011 Location: KY iTrader: (4)	you could definitely benefit from new pads, those are quite thin so you won't be throwing money away getting them replaced. and have them check for correct brake action during the work.
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08-22-2014, 06:24 AM	#5
N8N Lieutenant Colonel 170 Rep 1,843 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Berwyn Heights, MD iTrader: (2)	That uneven pad wear suggests to me that the caliper is not sliding freely. A new hardware kit along with new pads is probably in order. If that is the RR you will need a new wear sensor as well. Might as well get a hardware kit for the other rear wheel as you'll be replacing the pads on the LR as well.
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08-22-2014, 05:25 PM	#6
techwhiz Colonel 453 Rep 2,973 Posts Drives: e90 335i Sedan - Arctic Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bay Area, Ca iTrader: (4)	Bad caliper. Piston is stuck or the caliper had stuck on the guides. __________________ Arctic Metallic\CF Splitters, Spoiler, Mirror Covers\LED Tails\LSD\Tinted\Coded\Apex Square SM10-19"\LED Angel Eyes\Gloss Black Grill\Integrated V1 & Galaxy Tab\M-Performance Brakes\Cobb Tuned\xHP Flash\Resonator Removed and -> is your friend.
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08-23-2014, 09:13 AM	#7
dave09a New Member 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: e90 320d Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Dublin iTrader: (0)	Booked into my go-to garage on Monday. Need to get a belt tensioner changed as well so may as well.
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08-23-2014, 09:46 AM	#8
N8N Lieutenant Colonel 170 Rep 1,843 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Berwyn Heights, MD iTrader: (2)	If the piston were stuck but the slides were free both pads would be worn evenly. I'm sticking with my answer of slides. Probably a torn boot allowing water to corrode the pins and make them stick.
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