[twct]

I washed my car last weekend and put it away (although I did drive it a few blocks before putting it in the garage) and tried to take it out today and one of the front brake pads was seriously frozen to the (steel) rotor. I've experienced this before but never this bad.

Anyway, it finally 'broke' free but literally broke something. Now the brake pedal is very soft and there's a significant clunking you can feel in the pedal (and hear of course!). I can't visually see anything wrong so I'm guessing the inner brake pad is hosed. Hopefully just a brake pad replacement but will have to have it flat bedded to the dealer.

Anyway, just a warning to anyone who only drives on weekends!

[dardeca]

I haven't experienced the level you are talking about...but after a wash if I put the car in the garage immediately, the rust will fuse the pad and rotors temporarily. I've just had to accelerate a little to break them loose. Always been fine after that.

[VeNoM__M5]

I would recommend using a high pressure air blower when drying your car and especially blowing all the water out from your brakes. Do that right and you really don't need to drive it around right after a wash.

[momos750]

Use a rust-stopper after you get done washing, and like someone above said use a blower to get the majority of water out.

http://www.detailersdomain.net/2013/...rum-rustopper/

[twct]

Just by way of update, dealer (UK) wants to charge for brake pad and disc replacement (not covered under warranty as due to ‘external influence’, i.e., moisture). Kinda annoyed. Will have to take up with BMW UK.

So the reason the disc needs replacement is due to brake pad material deposited on rotor. Seems unusual.

Just had my running in service so hopefully can remove the brake pad material with some hard driving. The BMW dealer seem to think that won’t work (as it’s brake pad material vs brake pad material) but I’m going to try!

[stealth70mde]

Originally Posted by twct

Just by way of update, dealer (UK) wants to charge for brake pad and disc replacement (not covered under warranty as due to ‘external influence’, i.e., moisture). Kinda annoyed. Will have to take up with BMW UK.

So the reason the disc needs replacement is due to brake pad material deposited on rotor. Seems unusual.

Just had my running in service so hopefully can remove the brake pad material with some hard driving. The BMW dealer seem to think that won’t work (as it’s brake pad material vs brake pad material) but I’m going to try!

It will take some time and you will feel a vibration for a bit but it will eventually wear off. I would do the break "bed-in" procedure a few time and it should be ok.

After 2 tracks days, there is a similar brake pad smear on the rotors and it gradually goes away. Because your "smear" is thick and located in one spot it might take longer.

[twct]

Thanks, that’s really helpful. I’m about to do a 600 mile road trip so hopefully can make some progress!