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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio > Loud *click* or *snap* when applying brakes



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      02-20-2020, 06:26 PM   #1
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Loud *click* or *snap* when applying brakes

So I've been experiencing this for a couple months now and haven't been able to diagnose it. It does not happen all the time, in fact it's really inconsistent which is what makes it difficult to diagnose.

It sounds like a metal on metal *tap* Kinda high pitched and noticeably loud. It's just a single click right at the start of applying the brakes. It doesn't seem to have any affect on braking performance that I can tell. Also it seems to happen more often when switching in to reverse and then hitting the brakes but it does happen when moving forward as well. Not sure if connected at all but it seems like it happens more when the brakes are warmed up from city driving, but it doesn't happen much during the first few cold minutes of driving.

I just finished removing & reinstalling the caliper clips and confirming that the caliper bolts and caliper carrier bolts are all tight. Still happens.

Anyone have any ideas?
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      02-20-2020, 06:42 PM   #2
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Brake pads click when they shift in the carrier if you go into reverse and brake, especially in the morning. If it happens all the time then something's loose.
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      02-20-2020, 06:56 PM   #3
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it seems to rarely happen in the morning, happens more when i've been driving a while. and it also sounds like it's too loud/sharp sounding for it to just be the pads shifting in the caliper.
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      02-20-2020, 07:40 PM   #4
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on my 330 it was worn front sway bar links. It was a rather difficult one to diagnose as the vehicle had to be on the ground.

Mine had 180,000 miles though. Get someone to help you and have them move the car around while you stand outside. Have the hood open as well.
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      02-20-2020, 07:43 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam View Post
Brake pads click when they shift in the carrier if you go into reverse and brake, especially in the morning. If it happens all the time then something's loose.
This is EXACTLY what always happen to me when I switch from reverse to gear or gear to reverse.

I find older threads where it was deemed normal.

Now that the subject is revived... is it normal really or is it sign of an issue?
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      02-20-2020, 07:45 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 6Inarowmakesitgo! View Post
on my 330 it was worn front sway bar links. It was a rather difficult one to diagnose as the vehicle had to be on the ground.

Mine had 180,000 miles though. Get someone to help you and have them move the car around while you stand outside. Have the hood open as well.
A good trick using your door opened as leverage to make the car move. If it's suspension related you should be able to 99% of the time find the issue with this trick.
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      02-21-2020, 11:52 AM   #7
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Same issue here. Some days it will happen more often but on other days there's no noise. It will happen even with the slightest press of the brakes (near the beginning of pedal travel).
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      02-21-2020, 11:57 AM   #8
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Akebono pads are notorious for this. The pads are just slightly too small to fit the bracket properly. Will click every time you hit the brakes or change direction.
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      02-21-2020, 11:57 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///Mik3 View Post
it seems to rarely happen in the morning, happens more when i've been driving a while. and it also sounds like it's too loud/sharp sounding for it to just be the pads shifting in the caliper.
Start with your front swaybar end links. They can make a popping/clicking noise. Super easy and Iow cost replacement.
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      02-21-2020, 12:04 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech View Post
Akebono pads are notorious for this. The pads are just slightly too small to fit the bracket properly. Will click every time you hit the brakes or change direction.
oh really? Hmm, this could be it then. I am running akebono pads for the first time, which i switched to last summer. I started to notice the noise a couple months after.
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      02-21-2020, 12:32 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///Mik3 View Post
oh really? Hmm, this could be it then. I am running akebono pads for the first time, which i switched to last summer. I started to notice the noise a couple months after.
I have the same issue with akebono pads. Pretty much just got used to it and turned up my radio volume.
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      02-21-2020, 01:12 PM   #12
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I have the issue when first applying the brakes when going from reverse to forward or forward to reverse. Common issue as stated as some brake pads are slightly smaller and will shift slightly. Luckily it doesn't do it, or I can't hear it, while driving though. I have EBC yellow stuff pads.
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      02-21-2020, 01:14 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech View Post
Akebono pads are notorious for this. The pads are just slightly too small to fit the bracket properly. Will click every time you hit the brakes or change direction.
I have Textar pads and it does this to.
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      02-21-2020, 01:17 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech View Post
Akebono pads are notorious for this. The pads are just slightly too small to fit the bracket properly. Will click every time you hit the brakes or change direction.
^This. I had the same problem a few months ago. Changed the clips and applied the brake pad goo, still had the issue. I then changed my Akebono pads back to OEM and no problems since.

Good luck.
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      02-21-2020, 02:07 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by em5ive View Post
^This. I had the same problem a few months ago. Changed the clips and applied the brake pad goo, still had the issue. I then changed my Akebono pads back to OEM and no problems since.

Good luck.
Interesting I basically have OEM pads (Textar) to and it does it. Maybe I should take my caliper a part and take a look once winter is over. My rotors though are Meyle.
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      02-21-2020, 11:44 PM   #16
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dang, i guess it really is a common issue with the akebono pads then. Hopefully that's all it is and it's not the sway bar end links. Guess I'll just live with it as I'm too cheap and lazy to replace some brake pads that I just put in a few months ago lol
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      02-22-2020, 02:32 AM   #17
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ATE pads here, and I get the noise too. There's got to be some clearance between the pads and carrier though, otherwise they wouldn't move freely...so there will always be a small amount of slack for them the shift. For me I didn't notice any noise until I installed M3 rear subframe bushings. I definitely need to check everything back there, but I really don't think the noise can be anything other than the pads.
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      02-22-2020, 12:23 PM   #18
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I will say if it is just the pads, it is surprisingly loud sometimes.
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      02-22-2020, 12:29 PM   #19
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Definitely check everything for tightness/safety, just in case. Chances are that it's all 100% secure though.
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      02-22-2020, 12:40 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tambohamilton View Post
Definitely check everything for tightness/safety, just in case. Chances are that it's all 100% secure though.
yeah I did this just a couple days ago. caliper and caliper carrier bolts were all good and tight and the clips were installed correctly.
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      02-22-2020, 04:28 PM   #21
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I just put powerstop ceramics on mine and it is dead silent.

They do not have great initial bite when cold, but that's just ceramic pad life.

got to keep them wheels clean.
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      02-23-2020, 03:08 PM   #22
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I installed akebono pads about a year and half ago and I get the click sound only in the winter months and after that it goes away but this only happens when I'm going in reverse.
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