Help with rear brake

popgazer · Post by **popgazer** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:37 pm

I own an R1150R (2002, currently 21k miles, and yes with ABS).
I am one of those who almost never use the rear brake.
But, I go through rear brake pads like they are made of butter. In addition, the rear disk is thining big time. I have been through 3 sets of pads, already. The front pads are the originals, and still look OK.
My foot is always positioned such that my toes are under the brake lever (not touching), so that excludes the possibility that I am unintentionally pushing the rear brake.
So what gives ?? Any ideas what I need to check for etc. Thanks.

Post by **qfman** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:48 pm

I went through a period where mine was using rear pads every 10000km. You are probably aware that the ABS equipped R's automatically engage the rear brake whenever the front brake is applied. the Original Equipment pads are very soft (I believe to maintain feel). My dealer switched to a harder pad and I became careful not to touch the pedal and I've put over 25,000km on the current rears.

Tom

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~lonergans/

Post by **JayTee** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 7:17 am

I had this same problem with my 2002 ABS model. I went through 3 sets of rear brake pads during the first 30,000 km, and the disc was changed at 20,000 km. Now I am using Lucas "organic" brake pads, and at least the brake disc wear is not that bad any more, but still I don't expect to get more than 20,000 km with the pads.

Try to clean and lubricate the brake caliber sliders and pins, you can find the instructions somewhere in the net (maybe here in r1150.org, or bmwsporttouring.com, I don't remember where I found them). It may help for a while, but do not expect miracles...

I suspect that this is some problem in the rear brake components, the brake pistons to not retract normally when the brake pedal (or front brake lever) is released. Anyway, BMW will not do anything for it. I have tried complaining to the dealer and writing to BMW Europe but they just say that brake pads and discs are not under warranty. My opinion is that brake pads should last much more than 10,000 km and discs way more than 20,000 km in normal road use. So you can add this to the list of "They all do that, sir"-features.

Well, at least now I know that I am not the only one having this problem. Welcome to the club!

-JayTee

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:13 am

Must be an ABS thing.

I just changed mine for the first time at 50,000 klms...and they seemed only half worn.

I was doing the front (for the first time) so I decided to do both front and rear at the same time.

Glad I don't have ABS..

DJ

Post by **owldaddy** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:58 am

Nope, not an ABS thing DJ. Something else is going on here. My 2004/ABS has 18k miles on it, and the original pads are still in place. Did BMW change pads or rotor material? Something must be different between the 02's and 04's. Or maybe I'm just easier on the brakes. That might be it, since my Nissan Altima has 217k miles and has had the pads changed once, the rear shoes are original. Anyway, the argument that "They all do that" doesn't fly. I'd talk to the dealer and see if there hasn't been some change in brake materials during the last couple years. However I suspect that JayTee might be right about the pads staying in hard contact with the discs, and not retracting properly. Close inspection might find a burr or a tight fit on sliding parts.
Don

Airman · Post by **Airman** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:56 am

DJ Downunder wrote:Must be an ABS thing.

I just changed mine for the first time at 50,000 klms...and they seemed only half worn.

I was doing the front (for the first time) so I decided to do both front and rear at the same time.

Glad I don't have ABS..

DJ

DJ, I changed the rear pads on my `03 ABS model at just over 12,000 miles. I use it a lot at slow speed because the front brakes are so grabby. When you consider the abuse we put the front pads through, the rears must be pretty sodt. I put EBC's in there this time. I'll see how they last.

Bart Mather · Post by **Bart Mather** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:03 pm

I had this fast wear on the pads on a couple of other motorcycles rear disc. I found that the pistions in the rear caliper were sticking just enough to hold the pads in to cause premature wear on the pads and disc. You can pull the caliper off without disconnecting the brake line. I use a couple of wood or wood composit shims to hold the pads in place and to push them back in after the job. Put one shim in from the right between the pads and the other shim from the left.Then clean around the pistons after engaging the brake lever/pedal just enough to push the pistons out slightly. If they aren't corroded too bad just clean them with a medium Scotch Bright pad and wipe or spray with brake cleaner. If you pull them out of the caliper you will have to bleed the brakes. After the cleaning just wipe a bit of brake fluid around the piston before pushing them back into the caliper. It worked twice for me! Good luck with it. If you do small jobs like this you will gain confidence enough to keep at it and save a lot of money while enjoying the work too.