New Mercedes door brakes making popping noise*FIX INSIDE*

[mtriple]

this is Colin's upgraded set. I made sure the pin fits properly and there is a metal sleeve inside the hinge as well. it seems that the popping noise is coming from the door brake itself and not from the pin/bracket area. what am I missing here? The loud popping noise is pretty annoying and I am afraid if it stays like this, it will stress the bracket that holds the pin itself...

should I try flipping the brakes upside down and see what happens?

Thanks in advance

PLEASE WATCH THE YOUTUBE VID FOR HOW IT WAS FIXED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS THREAD..

hamada

[c.d.iesel]

did you grease it well on install ?

[schwarz75]

Have you taken all stress off of the door brake before tightening the 6mm screws (bolts) with the 10mm hex head? Often the popping is just the door brake slamming into the door's sheetmetal. The door brake generates lots of energy, and later BMWs - E30, E34 - end up with sheetmetal fatique and tears where the door brake is attached to the door.

[mcaden]

Hamada,

I raised this same issue a while back and its discussed in this thread here: http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,50/page,viewtopic/p,785083/sid,1364f14b0760b53d622c6bf7d4e8a8c4/

It is possible that the bolt is a little small, and thus results in the popping noise. I think the larger OEM pin might properly fit in the hole and resolve the problem, however, the OEM pin is too large for these door brakes. I looked for a nylon sleeve to resolve the problem, but couldn't find anything. I have also tried replacing the bolt and other adjustments to no avail. In short, I think at some point I may revert back to a system using an OEM pin.

Good luck and if you come up with a fix... will you report on it or contact me directly.

Thanks, Marc

[mtriple]

did you grease it well on install ?

luckily I can remove it easily through my speaker hole. I will make sure there is enough grease..

[mtriple]

Have you taken all stress off of the door brake before tightening the 6mm screws (bolts) with the 10mm hex head? Often the popping is just the door brake slamming into the door's sheetmetal. The door brake generates lots of energy, and later BMWs - E30, E34 - end up with sheetmetal fatique and tears where the door brake is attached to the door.

are you saying that I need to have the door not completely wide open when I install them? I can certainly try that

[mtriple]

Hamada,

I raised this same issue a while back and its discussed in this thread here: http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,50/page,viewtopic/p,785083/sid,1364f14b0760b53d622c6bf7d4e8a8c4/

It is possible that the bolt is a little small, and thus results in the popping noise. I think the larger OEM pin might properly fit in the hole and resolve the problem, however, the OEM pin is too large for these door brakes. I looked for a nylon sleeve to resolve the problem, but couldn't find anything. I have also tried replacing the bolt and other adjustments to no avail. In short,g I think at some point I may revert back to a system using an OEM pin.

Good luck and if you come up with a fix... will you report on it or contact me directly

Thanks, Marc

the brakes came with a 4x40mm bolt, nylock nut and there was a metal sleeve to keep the bolt in place. The thing I noticed was that the hole on the door bracket is very slightly wider than the door brake hinge mentioned above so I went a couple of times to the hardware store last night and picked up two bigger sizes and I believe that didn't work.. I will not give up and will let you know

thanks to all the replies above..

hamada

[mtriple]

Here is a video showing the issue. You see the pin moving? can this little move make such loud noise? This is not the stock brakes, but the mercedes ones I believe..

[BillWilliams]

I had a set of those and ditched them, they kept popping. Using the new style 2002 ones now

[mtriple]

I had a set of those and ditched them, they kept popping. Using the new style 2002 ones now

The thing that bugs me: it is supposed to be an "upgraded unit" I think I will go ahead and give it one more shot this weekend, if not, then I am going with the news style set. OEM wins again seems like it..

hamada

[harry6422]

Sorry you are having this problem. I have modified and sold over 230 sets of my upgraded door brakes but have not seen the brakes that Colin sells. A snapping sound is made when one of the detents is engaged in the brake movement , when the door is opened or closed, and the door brake is not secured to the car. This may be the 2 bolts on the door, make sure you use a washer when you install the bolt, the hole is a bit larger than the bolt to allow for adjustment, also at the pillar mount ,if the end of the door brake arm does not have the correct size bushing installed the bolt will lose in the arm when installed and snap. Make sure when installing the door brake to leave the 2 bolts on the door lose till after you install the pillar mount bolt and tighten it, this allows the brake to line up, then tighten the door bolts . Some cars have a problem with the weak pillar mount being lose because of broken welds inside the pillar. I stand behind my part and will replace it if ever there is a problem with it's performance if it was made by me. I will be out at Woodly Park in OCT. if you would like me to take a look at your parts.

Regards Harry

[mcaden]

Here is a video showing the issue. You see the pin moving? can this little move make such loud noise? This is not the stock brakes, but the mercedes ones I believe..

Hamada is correct... it is the pin moving that makes the popping noise and I have confirmed this. The pin on the "upgraded" door brakes is too small for my u-shaped bracket (which is a new OEM bracket). The OEM pin is larger and would not pop. I, like Hamada, tried going to the hardware store and finding a larger bolt, but it will not fit the metal sleeve of the upgraded door brake (and neither will the OEM pin). I will have to buy another door brake and replace it unless someone comes up with a solution -- its on my "to do" list.

-Marc

[mtriple]

Sorry you are having this problem. I have modified and sold over 230 sets of my upgraded door brakes but have not seen the brakes that Colin sells. A snapping sound is made when one of the detents is engaged in the brake movement , when the door is opened or closed, and the door brake is not secured to the car. This may be the 2 bolts on the door, make sure you use a washer when you install the bolt, the hole is a bit larger than the bolt to allow for adjustment, also at the pillar mount ,if the end of the door brake arm does not have the correct size bushing installed the bolt will lose in the arm when installed and snap. Make sure when installing the door brake to leave the 2 bolts on the door lose till after you install the pillar mount bolt and tighten it, this allows the brake to line up, then tighten the door bolts . Some cars have a problem with the weak pillar mount being lose because of broken welds inside the pillar. I stand behind my part and will replace it if ever there is a problem with it's performance if it was made by me. I will be out at Woodly Park in OCT. if you would like me to take a look at your parts.

Regards Harry

Wow thanks Harry for the great pointers. That was nice of you to provide support for other vendors issues. May be Colin isn't aware of such install hints and should take notes. I know my welds and brackets are in great shape so that's a good start. I hope to get it fixed before Woodley park, if not, then we can exchange cell #s if you do not mind. I will be at Woodley park as well.

Regards

Ahmed

[harry6422]

I just said down and watched the video you posted and it looks like you have a problem with bolt hole in the pillar mount arm, they wear out of round over the years. Remove the pillar mount bolt and remove the brake arm from the mount then put the bolt through the arms and you will be able to assess the wear, You can try to tighten the pillar mount bolt more it may help. There are 2 ways to fix the arms correctly, weld the holes and drill them back to the correct size of the bolt you have or if the holes are not worn too large press out the bushing that was installed in the end of the door brake arm and get the correct bolt ,washers and nut to fit the larger opening and dill the holes larger to match the new bolt. The bolt I provide with my brake sets is the same diameter as the stock pin, I DON"T ADVISE USING THE STOCK PIN WITH THESE DOOR BRAKES, the pin is too soft a material for the load these door brakes will put on it.

Regards

Harry

[mcaden]

Harry,

FWIW, my U-shaped pillar bracket is OEM brand new and the bolt still is too small for the bracket and makes a popping noise.

-Marc