LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone
Home >> BMW >> 2009 >> 135i 2D Convertible, Automatic >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 697 (Brakes - Repair - E92/E93) >> Troubleshooting >> 34 90... Troubleshooting brake system

34 90... Troubleshooting brake system

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 21 other vehicles, including the 2013 BMW 328xi, 2013 BMW 328i, 2012 BMW 328xi, 2012 BMW 328i, and 2011 BMW 328xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
TROUBLESHOOTING BRAKE SYSTEM CHART

Fault Cause Remedy
Brakes pull to one side
  1. Tyre inflation pressure not in keeping with regulations
  2. Unevenly worn tire treads
  3. Oil on pads/liners
  4. Wrong type of pads/liners
  5. Guide bolts dirty or damaged
  6. Axle geometry not correct
  7. Corrosion in floating calipers
  8. No shock absorber action
  9. Pad of one caliper worn
  1. Correct tire inflation pressure
  2. Change or replace tires
  3. Replace brake pads , Check for causes
  4. Replace brake pads , Check for causes
  5. Replace guide bolts 
  6. Check wheel alignment
  7. Remove and install, repair or replace floating calipers 
  8. Check shock absorber, replacing if necessary
  9. Replace brake pads,  check floating caliper
Brakes excessively hot while driving
  1. Compensating port in brake master cylinder blocked
  2. Swollen rubber parts due to use of wrong brake fluid
  3. Bleeder hole on expansion tank blocked
  4. Corroded floating calipers
  5. Handbrake lever not released fully
  1. Replace  master brake cylinder
  2. Replace  master brake cylinder
  3. Clean expansion tank 
  4. Remove and install, repair or replace floating calipers 
  5. Check handbrake and handbrake Bowden cables, repair if necessary 
Poor braking effect in spite of great force on pedal
Travel at brake pedal normal
Brake pads oil-splattered or burnt; wrong type of brake pads Replace brake pads 
Poor braking effect in spite of great force on pedal
Travel at brake pedal too short
Brake booster malfunctions - engine vacuum Check brake booster
Poor braking effect in spite of great force on pedal
Travel at brake pedal too long
One brake circuit failed due to leaks or damage Leakage test of brake system 
Brake pedal can be pressed down softly and springily
  1. Air in brake system
  2. Not enough brake fluid in expansion tank
  3. Overheated brake fluid - vapor lock due to excessive water content in brake fluid or excessive brake loads
  1. Bleed brakes 
  2. Top up or change brake fluid Bleed brakes 
  3. Change brake fluid, Bleed brakes 
Brake is bled and readjusted, but brake pedal can be pressed down too far
  1. Primary cup seal in brake master cylinder damaged
  2. Leaking separating cup seals on floating piston of brake master cylinder
  3. Leak in brake system
  1. Replace master brake cylinder 
  2. Replace master brake cylinder 
  3. Leakage test of brake system
Uneven pad wear
  1. Wrong type of pads/liners
  2. Dirty fist caliper recesses, damaged caps
  3. Corrosion in floating calipers
  4. Swollen rubber ring for piston control
  1. Replace brake pads 
  2. Remove and install, repair or replace floating calipers 
  3. Remove and install, repair or replace floating calipers 
  4. Remove and install, repair or replace floating calipers 
Brake pads worn at angle
  1. Wheel-bearing play excessive
  2. Brake disk not aligned with fist caliper
  3. Corrosion in floating calipers
  4. Angular brake-disk wear
  5. Minimum lining thickness undershot
  6. Spring force insufficient
  7. Guide bolts damaged
  1. Replace wheel bearings
  2. Check floating caliper installation
  3. Remove and install, repair or replace floating calipers 
  4. Grind or replace brake disks 
  5. Replace brake pads 
  6. Replace spring 
  7. Replace guide bolts 
Seized brake pads, pad does not move off brake disk
  1. Dirty fist caliper recesses, damaged caps
  2. Corrosion in floating calipers
  3. Compensating port in brake master cylinder blocked
  1. Remove and install, repair or replace floating calipers 
  2. Remove and install, repair or replace floating calipers 
  3. Replace master brake cylinder 
Brakes squeal or rattle
  1. Wrong type of pads/liners
  2. Dirty floating caliper recesses
  3. Spring force insufficient
  4. Brake disk not aligned with fist caliper
  5. Brake-disk runout
  6. Excessive thickness deviation within braking surface
  7. Liner wear excessive or one-sided
  8. Rust edges on brake disks
  9. Pad loose
  10. Wheel-bearing play excessive
  1. Replace brake pads 
  2. Remove and install/clean floating calipers 
  3. Replace spring 
  4. Check floating caliper installation 
  5. Replace brake discs 
  6. Measure brake disk thickness Grind or replace disks 
  7. Replace brake shoes 
  8. Grind or replace brake disks 
  9. Replace brake pads 
  10. Replace wheel bearings
Brake-pedal dead travel excessive
  1. Wheel-bearing play excessive
  2. Brake disk not aligned with fist caliper
  3. Brake-disk runout
  4. Excessive thickness deviation within braking surface
  5. Brake system leaking
  6. Air in brake system
  7. Wrong type of pads/liners
  1. Replace wheel bearings
  2. Check floating caliper installation
  3. Replace brake discs 
  4. Measure brake disk thickness Grind or replace disks 
  5. Leakage test of brake system
  6. Bleed brakes 
  7. Replace brake pads 
Jammed piston in brake caliper
  1. Dirty fist caliper recesses, damaged caps
  2. Brake disk not aligned with fist caliper
  3. Pistons corroded in floating calipers
  1. Remove and install, repair or replace floating caliper 
  2. Check floating caliper installation 
  3. Remove and install, repair or replace floating caliper 
Pulsating effect on brake pedal
  1. Wheel-bearing play excessive
  2. Brake disk not aligned with fist caliper
  3. Brake-disk runout
  4. Excessive thickness deviation within braking surface
  1. Replace wheel bearings
  2. Check floating caliper installation 
  3. Replace brake discs 
  4. Measure brake disk thickness Grind or replace disks 
Handbrake effect insufficient
  1. Brake shoes oil-splattered
  2. Excessive dead travel between brake shoes and brake drums
  3. Corroded transmitting elements
  1. Replace brake shoes , determine cause
  2. Adjust handbrake 
  3. Remove and install handbrake and expander locks

    Check Bowden cables, replacing if necessary