Loud ish clicking noise from Front Brake

[adventuredon]

Hi, have searched - no luck so here goes:
2010 GS 18 000
I have a strange, regular clicking noise coming from my front brakes when I apply front lever pressure. Brakes seems to work fine, no lights come on, no abs juddering type thing, just a definite clicking noise at regular intervals (I can also feel it through the lever).


It seems to emanate from Br pads/disc/ area and the noise slows down when under breaking (obviously...)as the bike slows. Almost like a stone is stuck in tyre - I have checked the tyre and there is nothing nailed/stuck in it and the pressure is good -
Wheel turns freely when on stand but have not been able to test wheel and brake simultaneously while stationary.


I have not ridden hard lately or far so help needed. Thanks.

 

[ianran]

Hi, have searched - no luck so here goes:
2010 GS 18 000
I have a strange, regular clicking noise coming from my front brakes when I apply front lever pressure. Brakes seems to work fine, no lights come on, no abs juddering type thing, just a definite clicking noise at regular intervals (I can also feel it through the lever).


It seems to emanate from Br pads/disc/ area and the noise slows down when under breaking (obviously...)as the bike slows. Almost like a stone is stuck in tyre - I have checked the tyre and there is nothing nailed/stuck in it and the pressure is good -
Wheel turns freely when on stand but have not been able to test wheel and brake simultaneously while stationary.


I have not ridden hard lately or far so help needed. Thanks.

Have you checked there's no small stones stuck around your brakes pads?

 

[adventuredon]

As best I could, yes

I dont have a stand and am alone, so hard to spin / move wheel except by pulling wheel through 360. Have felt all over discs, have tried to look in calpier etc. Feels exactly like that though. I suppose a can of compressed air would help maybe dislodge if there is anything there? . Halfords?

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

It doesn't take 5 mins to drop the pads out and have a quick look

Andres

 

[mark-a]

Hi

I'd propose that if the click is regular, it's more likely to be associated with the wheel, ie tyre or disc.

It would be constant if it was on the pad, more like scraping than a click.

This type of noise is hard to trace cos you have to be moving to replicate it (or get your friendly local garage to put it on the mot roller.

You could try putting a white dot of tippex on the tyre and get a mate to walk alongside while applying the brakes, the dot would perhaps give a point of reference to find the location of the click, then look closer at the rotating parts.

 

[fizzer]

take all four pads out,then spin the wheel if its still there its front wheel bearings starting to fall to bits.

 

[adventuredon]

noise

good suggestion. You assume I have mates though...I agree it seems to be from the discs as its intermittent and only when braking is applied.

Had a look again today and felt around. Nothing unusual there. Looked into pads and seems clear. Again, hard to replicate when standing still as it only happens when moving but today I think it was almost gone. Couldn't be sure so will be listening again tomorrow!

 

[bluey]

check see if you have the playing cards held by a peg in place like we did as kids to make our push bikes sound awsome

ill get me coat sorry

 

[OldCroc]

Cracked rotor (disc) ?? I have heard of this before - not on a BMW. The force of the pads gripping the rotor is enough to pull it apart and it snaps shut as the rotor rotates past the pads. A long shot but who knows.....

OldCroc

 

[Sgt Bilco]

take all four pads out,then spin the wheel if its still there its front wheel bearings starting to fall to bits.

I reckon that's a good shout

 

[G5RJO]

Bobbins?

Grab each disc and try and move it in every direction, side to side and up and down. Bobbins and wave washers wear. I had a hell of a racket from my front brakes and found the right rotor was VERY loose on the bobbins.

Roger.

 

[adventuredon]

Thanks. I have jiggled them but since the reply re a break in the disc, its been pouring! Will be trying that next. I am assuming that I will be able to feel (hopefully see) if it cracked. If so, do I have to replace both or can i replace only 1 - if its broken that is?

 

[G5RJO]

Dont think it will be a 'broken' disc. That would be pretty obvious to be honest.

The mounting bolts that locate the disc go through a floating 'tube' affair with wavy washers thereon that allow the disc to 'float' and allow expansion in heat etc etc to avoid warping. Push and pull the disc along the line of the bolts will show if the wavey washers have gone west. Pulling in each direction away from the hub, like the arms on a clock, will show if the bobbins are worn.

Just replaced both of my discs but that was at 50,000m on an 08 GSA. Problem is the bobbins and washers are integral (built in) to the newer bike discs so you cant simply replace the bobbins and washers, it's a complete unit. I would always replace as a pair unless one had done a VERY low mileage.

Others may have a different view...

Think you really need to strip out the pads on BOTH sides and spin the wheel to see where the problem is. I see you're on your own doing this so load the top box / panniers with low fuel in the tank, it will soon tip backwards to allow a free spin.

It's the ONLY way to truly identify the problem..

Roger.

 

[adventuredon]

Brilliant advice. Thanks. Will do so when dry and light. Any recommended cleaning product to use while i am at it with all open etc.

 

[davegs]

Front wheel

If your in Putney give Steptoe a ring he'll sort it out and he's close by.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Brilliant advice. Thanks. Will do so when dry and light. Any recommended cleaning product to use while i am at it with all open etc.

You can buy can's of brake cleaner at Halfrauds and the like

As Davegs has said, pop it down to Steptoe as he will locate the problem I'm sure

 

[stigboots]

Hi all,
first post n all that, but I experienced exactly the same thing on my previous 09 GSA. I eventually realized it was down to me spraying liberal amounts of protective of bike spray on areas close to the discs. It must have altered the friction on areas of the discs so under light brake pressure the discs were jiggling around in the floating pin thingies making a clicking noise. I gave them a good clean with some thinners and wire wool and hey presto- cured. Just a thought !

 

[adventuredon]

Again thanks for all tips. Yes to both above posts. Bike was actually at step toe last week for the service. Then i did clean it. . . I think I'll have a clean and then call Neil. Will keep all posted.

 

[stigboots]

I mentioned it to the dealers when mine was in for a service, and they had the pads out, cleaned and lubed them but that didn,t fix it. It wasn,t until I give the discs a good scrub with thinners that I finally sorted it. Bike went on to do another 24k after that with no more disc probs

 

[WindyChuffer]

I dont have a stand and am alone, so hard to spin / move wheel except by pulling wheel through 360. Have felt all over discs, have tried to look in calpier etc. Feels exactly like that though. I suppose a can of compressed air would help maybe dislodge if there is anything there? . Halfords?

Put bike on centre stand and add some weight to the rear of the bike to make the rear wheel sink to the ground and the front lift off the ground.