Brake nOISssse.

[Kevin Markwell]

Anybody else having an annoying binding, grinding brake noise when coming to a slow stop? I know - they all do that. Mine was minor at first, like the RR's, and easily overlooked, but it's getting worse. I've got 1800 miles. A while back I read on another site that someone had it fixed at their 600 mile check, but I don't recall where I read that and what was done to correct it. I may have to break down for bad brakes and go back to Battley's to have Bender's binders buffed - or something - bummer.

[camfarm]

Mine just started at 1200 miles. Very slow gentle stops, it squels/yelps on the very last pressure point.

I'll watch it and let you know what develops.

Mike Cam

[CupOHemlock]

There is a tech bulletin out on this, but it specifies the S. There are some metal washers which help connect the brake rotors to the wheel. I had a God-awful screech on mine when I took in for the 600 service. This always happened as the bike was just at the end of the braking period and almost stopped.

I asked about the bulletin and the nice guys at Morton's BMW replaced the metal washers with rubber duplicates. Instant ending of squeal.

COH (Rich)

[Kevin Markwell]

That's it! I must have read it here but couldn't find it. Thanks Rich. Good luck Mike. My RR is in for it's 30,000 mile service so I guess I'll be swapping bikes when it's done. Nice to know it can be fixed.

[Kevin Markwell]

Sorry to revisit this issue that should be settled. I'm looking for help localizing the BMW tech bulletin on the brake sqeal issue that COH/Rich mentioned.

I took my KR in to Battley's and explained to the non-BMW service rep the nature of the problem and the existence of the tech bulletin and left the bike. I just got off the phone with the BMW rep who reports, "The brakes checked out fine." Nothing else was done. He was completely clueless of the nature of the problem or the tech bulletin. [Insert LED Zepplin soundtrack here for 'Communication Breakdown"] Then while I waited on the phone, he tried to get into the BMW website to investigate and naturally was unable to do so because the computer "locked up." I know it has gone onto his back burner and may not get done for days so I am going to try to find it myself and forward to him. Does anybody know where I could find the official "tech bulletin"? I am tempted to call Morton's to ask them about it but feel a little uneasy since I didn't buy the bike there. I will if I have to but thought I'd try this first.

Thanks,
Kevin

[CupOHemlock]

Kevin,

Don't feel odd about calling Morton's. Ask Stuart if he can fax it to you and if you like that Rich Phillips suggested you ask for a copy.

If you don't want to do that I will go there tomorrow and ask for a copy and get to you myself.

Just let me know what to do.

COH (Rich)

[Kevin Markwell]

Thanks so much again Rich. I just spoke to John at Morton's who immediately faxed the bulletin to me and I have faxed it on to Battley's. Enough stuff like this will seriously make me consider buying my next bike at Morton's, even though it's an hour away. I get the impression that you are happy with them. They certainly have a nice new big location compared to the small shop of old.

Take care. Have a great weekend.

Kevin

[yukon42]

Just got my KR back from first service and had told the tech rep about the squealing brakes. Of course when I picked it up yesterday the brakes still squealed. Tech said the brakes checked out fine etc.

Can someone post the number/date/title of the service bulletin so I can inform my nearby stealer.....er...dealer???

Thanks.

[Kevin Markwell]

yukon,

I don't know where to find it on the internet but I can fax it to you if you give me a fax number. Either post it here or email it to me at [email protected] Sorry you're in the same boat.

Kevin

[Deans BMW]

The service bullitan is # 34 007 05 (037)

This is in a PDF file and I don't know how to post the file.

Dealer Operation/
General Manager
Sales-
Motorcycles
Sales -
Used Motorcycles
Business Manager
(F&I)
Service Parts & Accessories Administration
Date: June 2005
Bulletin #34 007 05 (037)
Source: 34 29/2005
BMW Motorrad USA
Service and Technical


BMW Motorrad
USA
Service Information Bulletin

Subject:

Model:

Details:

Production
Solution:

Aftersales
Solution:

Important
Note:

Illustration
#1:

Important
Note:

Front brakes squeals.
R 1200 GS (K25), R 1200 ST (K28), K 1200 S (K40)


Sympathetic vibrations in the brake system can produce brake squeal just
before the motorcycle has braked to a standstill.

New mounts have been developed for the front brake discs. This modification
will be integrated into series production as of model year 2006.

In the event of a customer complaining of front brake squeal, new brake disc
mounts may be retrofitted to their motorcycles.

The brake disc mount “anti-squeal” kit consists of two sets of five rubberized
thrust washers (Illustration 1, nos 4 and 6).

In the case of motorcycles equipped with IABS, the “anti-squeal” kits are
different for the left and right brake discs.

The feature that distinguishes one “kit” from the other is the inside diameter of the rubberized washers (13.7 mm vs 8.5 mm).

To complete this update, each motorcycle will require one each of the
following part numbers:

P/N: 34 11 7 697 387 Set of rubberized thrust washers (D=8.5 mm).
P/N: 34 11 7 682 434: Set of rubberized thrust washers (D=13.7 mm).

1) Screw, M8 4) Rubberized thrust washer, D = 13.7 mm
2) Roller 5)
3) Wavy washer 6) Rubberized thrust washer, D = 8.5 mm
In addition to installing the rubberized washers, use Anti Seize to coat the
rear of the carrier plates of the brake pads and the end faces that come
into contact with the brake caliper when the brakes are applied.

© 2005, BMW of North America, LLC
Page 1of 3


Illustration #2
Left disc brake:
Left Brake Disc:

Remove the brake disc as described in the repair manual and clean the rim threads.
Reassemble the components as shown in Illustration#2.

Attention: The original thrush washers (P/N: 34 11 7 661 877) located
between the IABS sensor ring and the wheel hub are to be retained when
installing the rubberized thrust washers supplied in the kit.

Install the brake disc as described in the repair manual.

Illustration #3
Right disc brake:


Right Brake Disc:

Remove the brake disc as described in the repair manual and clean the rim threads.
Reassemble the components as shown in Figure 3.

Attention: Do not use thrush washers (P/N: 34 11 7 661 877) located between
the brake disc and the wheel hub during reassembly. The original thrust
washers are replaced by the rubberized thrust washers supplied in the kit.

Install the brake disc as described in the repair manual.

© 2005, BMW of North America, LLC
page 2 of 3


Covered under the terms of the BMW New Motorcycle Limited Warranty. Enter a regular warranty claim using the claim keys noted below.

Defect Code: 34 00 90 39 00
Description: Retrofitting anti-squeal kit.


Flat Rate Code: 34 11 220
Description: Removing and installing both front brakes discs.
FRU: 12

Part Number: 34 11 7 697 387
Description: Set of rubberized thrust washers (D = 8.5 mm)
Qty: 1

Part Number: 34 11 7 682 434
Description: Set of rubberized thrust washers (D = 13.7 mm)
Qty: 1

Contact: Respective Aftersales Business Consultant

© 2005, BMW of North America, LLC
page 3 of 3

[yukon42]

Thanks guys. I printed it out and I'll take it to my dealer to see what they can do.

[yukon42]

Finally got to my dealer and they swear they haven't heard even one complaint about brake noise (squeal) from the KR or KS owners. I find that hard to believe. Anyway, handed over the service bulletin copy and they were dumbfounded, claimed they never saw it before and that they have read all the service bulletins that have come out in the last 18 months.

Long story short, they ordered some of the anti-squeal kits and will be installed one on my bike next saturday. Hopefully that will cure the noise problem!

[Silverr]

Dean, I have a new k12r and I started having this issue almost immediately. Is this fix something SJ BMW is aware of as I am gonna be in need of a service shortly. I was planning on mentioning it.. Also, just curious, if this is an issue with the K12R, any idea why the dealers dont put the fix on before the bikes leave the floor?

[yukon42]

I had the fix done according to the service bulletin above. Didn't help much. I'm going to try a set of after market brake pads when I get around to it. I've gotten pretty good at modulating the front brake to where I get minimal squeal now. No abs.

[CupOHemlock]

I had the "washer" thing done early this year.. it worked for a week. Two weeks ago I had the banjo bolt/thicker rotor thing done and it lasted two weeks.

Im putting on after-market pads next week to see if this helps.

COH (Rich)

[Kevin Markwell]

Yea. Mine went back to honking pretty soon after the repair. I've been living with it. It's about my only complaint.

[CupOHemlock]

The after-market pads only made the screeching worse.

I too have decided to capitulate and just pretend it is how it should be. When I pull up to a red light now I just flip open my visor and do a Tarzan impersonation. It covers the brake squeal and also gets lots of chicks to look my way.


COH (Rich)

[Silverr]

Hmmm, just some thoughts on the brain. With the banjo/rotor recall and the rubber thrust washer deal ( which comes with the banjo bolt upgrade kit) If that has fixed the problem for more than a few days with certain people, I can't see how the old problem would come back. I mean, its one thing if the pads get glazed, but why would it stay gone for 2 weeks plus, then come back. Any theories?? Its like, the problem should either be there, or it isn't. This is a head scratcher. A brake fungus that keeps coming back?

CupOHemlock, is the noise that returned as loud as it was before the fixes?

[CupOHemlock]

Yes, with the aftermarkets on a nice hot day with nice hot brakes it is as loud or louder than before.

Some details:

This squeal only happens in the final few seconds of braking coming to a stop. If I were a betting man I would say the noise is louder on the left rotor than the right one.

The squeal after the rotor replacement was indeed gone for two weeks. It then slowly started back up.. getting louder as time went on.

I am pretty sure that the rubber washer thingies that they put in last year were removed when the new rotors went on too. Not sure if that would help, or if it would just give me two more weeks of braking peace followed by more spine rattling sqeal.

I am getting the latest download to correct some horrendous problems introduced in the 6.x "patch" this week. At that time I intend to put the stock pads back on.

I'll post updates.

COH (Rich)

[DJ Downunder]

When I pull up to a red light now I just flip open my visor and do a Tarzan impersonation. It covers the brake squeal and also gets lots of chicks to look my way.

That's funny..

DJ