[gmrb6391]

Good morning all,

I first searched the forums and this thread was the closest I got to a potential solution (Tie Rods). But OP never reported back:
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...ighlight=clank

Some info on my car:
New akebono brake pads + zimmerman rotors all around, brake fluid flush through INPA, have an automatic transmission, 335i E93 with 96K miles on all original suspension besides new shocks/struts. This clank noise only happens occasionally when I'm going straight and hit the brakes. Noise does not happen when I'm turning at a stand still like in the other thread. But the noise is similar. I've gone to 2 shops and both tell me the car is fine because of all the green checkmarks I get. Here is a video of the noise in action. For sure coming from the front:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fuxdcl0nO4

I grabbed both front control arms and tension struts with the car on the ground and gave them a good shake and slapping (both sides), no play or noise there. Also did the 6 o'clock 12 o'clock shake and 3 o'clock 9 o'clock shake with the front of the car on jack stands, nothing out of the ordinary. Any ideas/experience with this?

Thanks.

[culto]

I have/had the same clunk. Replaced my tie rods and it got much better. Still happens occasionally though. I think it might also be the Akebono's. I contacted Akebono after I installed the pads and they sent me some new and improved pads. I haven't installed them yet though.

[sonofsun]

May be drive around with a Gopro or similar camera pointed at the wheel on each side and observe whether the wheel shifts its position towards the wheel well. Apart from that it's hard to shake some of the control arms on your own. The play may be ever so small that it shows up only under load and tremendous amount of torque put on it by the car.

If you haven't already changed the control arms do change them. I replaced my rotors with Zimmerman and pads with Akebonos. They are an awesome combination in that they perform exactly like how the factory brakes worked.

[BSM n54iS]

How much grease did you apply to the brake pads?

[sonofsun]

Whatever tiny amount that came in those sachets. Nothing more.

[TunafishE93]

Pads..

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1142006
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1301435
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...=1624809035523

[tcphoto]

Most likely you installed the pads incorrectly or it’s the endlinks or other bushing but that usually occurs when you brake or go from drive to reverse. Did you install the springs? Are they seated firmly in the perch? Did you installed matched shocks and struts with those springs and tighten with a torque wrench?

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Akebonos have some clunking issues. I only get it when going from reverse to forward and vice-versa. It doesn't happen every brake.

[tcphoto]

I must have been lucky, my Akebono pads have been great.

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Akebonos have some clunking issues. I only get it when going from reverse to forward and vice-versa. It doesn't happen every brake.

See I have Stoptech's and used to get it when going forward-reverse also and when I did mine I put a thin layer of grease on. It had gradually gone away but that's over the course of 2+ years.

[JonOhh]

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Akebonos have some clunking issues. I only get it when going from reverse to forward and vice-versa. It doesn't happen every brake.

Same here, only the first drive of the day when applying the brake in reverse.

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by gmrb6391

... New akebono brake pads + zimmerman rotors all around, brake fluid flush through INPA, have an automatic transmission, 335i E93 with 96K miles on all original suspension besides new shocks/struts. This clank noise only happens occasionally when I'm going straight and hit the brakes.

My FIRST Concern would be: Is anything LOOSE in EITHER:
1) Caliper Guide Bolts associated with pad change (22 Ft-lb), or
2) Pad Carrier Bolts to Steering Knuckle (81 Ft-lb), associated with Disc change?

Another possible cause, particularly if "clank" occurs after braking when backing & then braking while moving forward (or vice-versa):
The pad dimensions or springs may allow the pad to move within the carrier, and that movement direction depends upon Rotation Direction of Disc.

If you can duplicate the "clank" noise by abrupt stops at 3 mph to 15 mph, get someone (in good shape ;-) to walk fast or run alongside each front wheel as you apply brakes (if you can find a safe place in Arlington to do that ;-). If you can identify ONE wheel as the source of the "clank", then inspection or comparison of Left to Right assemblies becomes easier.
George

[gmrb6391]

Never thought it would be the Akebono brake pads...especially since they are new. But I will do a front pad swap this week after work and return to the BMW OEM pads that I took off. They are used but still have plenty of life left.

If that doesn't work tie rods, end links, then control arms.

I did not install the springs/struts/shocks. The previous owner installed that at the dealership when the car had 80k miles on it. For all 4 corners.

I'll recheck my torque and report back. I also emailed Akebono.

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by gmrb6391

Never thought it would be the Akebono brake pads...especially since they are new. But I will do a front pad swap this week after work and return to the BMW OEM pads that I took off. They are used but still have plenty of life left.

If that doesn't work tie rods, end links, then control arms.

I did not install the springs/struts/shocks. The previous owner installed that at the dealership when the car had 80k miles on it. For all 4 corners.

I'll recheck my torque and report back. I also emailed Akebono.

Attachment 2636978
Attachment 2636979

I chased the clank on my car after installing Akebonos. It was the pads. I went back to the OEM Textar pads and no more clank. It was exactly as you describe.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Akebonos have some clunking issues. I only get it when going from reverse to forward and vice-versa. It doesn't happen every brake.

I have this even with the OE Textar pads. Not every brake, really just when going from either reverse to straight, or straight to reverse.

But I gotta say I don't notice it as much... maybe it fixed itself or I'm to used to it. Going Akebono though next brake change.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by gmrb6391

Never thought it would be the Akebono brake pads...especially since they are new. But I will do a front pad swap this week after work and return to the BMW OEM pads that I took off. They are used but still have plenty of life left.

If that doesn't work tie rods, end links, then control arms.

I did not install the springs/struts/shocks. The previous owner installed that at the dealership when the car had 80k miles on it. For all 4 corners.

I'll recheck my torque and report back. I also emailed Akebono.

I was getting clunk even with the normal brake pads but it's only when changing directions, like I mean, reversing out of my driveway, going into first, then the first brake I do will clunk but then no more.

Question is, does your clunk ALWAYS happen or it's really only when you do reverse to straight, or like straight to reverse?

[infinite_creations25]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I have this even with the OE Textar pads. Not every brake, really just when going from either reverse to straight, or straight to reverse.

But I gotta say I don't notice it as much... maybe it fixed itself or I'm to used to it. Going Akebono though next brake change.

I have this exact metallic clank with textar pads too and seems to be completely random... Some days i'll hear the noise more and some days I don't hear it at all.

[gmrb6391]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I was getting clunk even with the normal brake pads but it's only when changing directions, like I mean, reversing out of my driveway, going into first, then the first brake I do will clunk but then no more.

Question is, does your clunk ALWAYS happen or it's really only when you do reverse to straight, or like straight to reverse?

My clunk happened occasionally/randomly whenever I drove at any speed and hit the brakes. But only when my steering wheel was completely straight. So driving straight, hit brakes, then clank noise. It also has happened in reverse when backing out the driveway in the mornings to work.

Happy 4th of July everyone! 🎆🎆🎆

So I emailed Akebono, and they gave me a set of new front brake pads. For free! I received them this past Friday. My torque was previously correct at 81 foot pounds & 22 foot pounds. I installed them this morning. Went on a test drive with the top down and the noise has disappeared! I cannot hear the clank noise at all when coming to a stop in a straight line anymore. So problem solved!

When I compare the Akebono to the OEM BMW pads, the outer OEM BMW pads (that go on the face of the rotor) do not have metal clips on the backside. Both sets of Akebono brake pads that I got have metal clips on the back (face of rotor and behind rotor).

So, what did I do differently this time? I used purple 180 grit sandpaper on the entire brake carrier assembly for both sides. Also used a wire brush. I made sure the contact points for the brake pad ears were smooth and clean. Used 2 cans of brake cleaner and even an old toothbrush. Installed the caliper guide pins dry. I used ATE 700015 Plastilube Lubricant for the brake pad ears and slid them around and saw their movement before installing in place. I also sanded the anti rattle clip. Attaching some pictures!

Thanks guys

Note: Long guide pin on the bottom. Short guide pin on the top.

[jellycsc]

My 2021 BMW X3 G01 also has this issue after installing the EUR1892a kit. Akebono sent me a new set, and the noise went away.