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Brake groan

Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2018 11:57 pm
by andygou
Hi all, anyone else finding that their brakes groan when manoueuvring at low speed and / or the steering creaking, also when low-speed turning?

Two different dealerships have had a go at fixing it so far, without success.

No a big issue to be fair, and maybe I'm just being picky, but I wouldn't have expected such sound effects on any car, let alone an XC40!

Re: Brake groan

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2018 6:54 pm
by johnbluerio
We have the same problem , appears worse when reversing slowly on a slope and stop start. I think its a design issue on the disc brake system or the type of pads used . Its a little annoying and distracting but not a safety concern. Never known it on any other vehicle unless they had been stood for some time .Be interested to know if you find a solution.

Re: Brake groan

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2018 10:48 pm
by andygou
johnbluerio wrote: Mon Nov 19, 2018 6:54 pm We have the same problem , appears worse when reversing slowly on a slope and stop start. I think its a design issue on the disc brake system or the type of pads used . Its a little annoying and distracting but not a safety concern. Never known it on any other vehicle unless they had been stood for some time .Be interested to know if you find a solution.
Thanks John,

Agree that it seems to be a brake issue. I'm going to push for a brake pad change as I'm wondering if the anti-squeal shims aren't doing their job properly.
Keep you posted, although family and other commitments may prevent me getting the car back to the dealer for a few weeks (plus, last time the lead time for a loan car was four weeks.........!).

Re: Brake groan

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 8:51 pm
by Julian B
andygou wrote: Sat Nov 17, 2018 11:57 pm Hi all, anyone else finding that their brakes groan when manoueuvring at low speed and / or the steering creaking, also when low-speed turning?

Two different dealerships have had a go at fixing it so far, without success.

No a big issue to be fair, and maybe I'm just being picky, but I wouldn't have expected such sound effects on any car, let alone an XC40!
Hi Andygou, initially had the same groaning noise when manoeuvring at low speeds, which seemed to be coming from the brakes.
The noise now appears to have gone without any dealership intervention.
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XC40 | First Edition | D4 | Auto | AWD | 20" Wheels | Crystal White | Charcoal | Ordered 14th March | Delivered 9th Oct |

Re: Brake groan

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 10:27 pm
by johnbluerio
Hi Andygou
I wonder if the date of production and batch of pads and discs has anything to do with it. Our 40s are of similar age and model spec. Mines still the same in the wet or in the dry, backwards or forwards, gentle release of the brake on a slope brake assist off, in or out of drive mode the resulting groan is the same. I'm nearly convinced its the pad material / spec that's the problem. Its not newness wearing off as we have done 5K + miles.
Visiting our dealer later this week to collect a smaller euro size front number plate bracket for private plate so will try and discuss with someone in technical / service there. Will let you know how I get on.

Re: Brake groan

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 11:42 pm
by andygou
johnbluerio wrote: Tue Nov 20, 2018 10:27 pm Hi Andygou
I wonder if the date of production and batch of pads and discs has anything to do with it. Our 40s are of similar age and model spec. Mines still the same in the wet or in the dry, backwards or forwards, gentle release of the brake on a slope brake assist off, in or out of drive mode the resulting groan is the same. I'm nearly convinced its the pad material / spec that's the problem. Its not newness wearing off as we have done 5K + miles.
Visiting our dealer later this week to collect a smaller euro size front number plate bracket for private plate so will try and discuss with someone in technical / service there. Will let you know how I get on.
Thanks John,
Our cars seem to exhibit pretty much identical sounds, with no change as the pads age (we are on just over 6000 now), so will be very interested to hear your dealers reaction.

Re: Brake groan

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:56 am
by libbers
Was going to start a new post asking about brake groans and a quick search has dug up this thread. I've got the exact same thing going on - low speed manoeuvring, particularly if on a slope, and the brakes make groaning noises. Fine in normal driving - I normally just get it at home as my drive is on a slope and tight so requires slow manoeuvring. I think possibly it's occurring when hill assist kicks in?

Anyway, I just wondered if any of the original posters in this thread have any updates? Is the groan still there, or have you had any success taking the issue up at the dealers?

Re: Brake groan

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:32 pm
by clarkgt
Hello,

I wonder if those suffering from brake groan also have brake auto hold activated? I do and I also have brake groan especially when reversing. I must admit I have gotten used to it but really it should not be.

Re: Brake groan

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2019 7:43 pm
by abby606
I haven't received my XC40 yet but had the exact same thing happen with my V40. Dealer explained it was the hill start assist keeping the brakes applied until the engine is pulling enough so the computer knows you won't roll backward and that perhaps the threshold before the brake is released was maybe just a little to high on some occasions. It will check you are definitely going to move forward before releasing the brake. I had it every time I reversed out of my drive which was on a slope so I was well used to it.

My V40 was an automatic transmission so it was very brief - perhaps if you have a manual the effect may be more noticeable as there isn't a computer managing the bite point (unless you're a robot of course).

Re: Brake groan

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 12:28 am
by andygou
I was the original poster and can confirm the issue still exists after 8,000 miles and two visits to different dealers.

Yes, the noise is worse with auto-hold engaged, and one of the dealers did try to tell me the same tale as abby606 was advised. However, I've never experienced autohold to hang on in this way on any other car, nor have I known brakes to groan like that on any car built in the last couple of decades!

I'll raise it with the dealer again at the next visit, more in hope than expectation of a fix!