solve my sound problem.. and win

[Randy]

... bragging rights.

When i brake there is a crunchy-ish grindy-ish sound from the front of the car... only at the end of the stopping motion - for for the last meter before it actually stops.

this is not the standard "need new pads" squeal i am accustomed to.

Normally i'd say change the pads/rotors, but i looked at the pads and they have a lot of meat still left on them (i looked without removing the wheel).
my brake-wear sensors haven't turned on yet either.

My car is a '99 323i (its a bmw). mostly stock except for the lowering springs and sport shocks I put in. it rides very low, and has hit a shit load of speed bumps and crap-pitch driveways with its belly (yes, "belly" is an anatomically correct term for a car).

any thoughts?

Ps. that was sarcasm about the (its a bmw) thing.

Thanks peeps.

pps. i love maxbimmer. and i think it should go public.

[blakneto]

what about the calipers? they actually SQUEEZE the pads together... are you getting any wheel vibration when you break? bushings? Those are my two uneducated guesses...

[BADRAT]

does it feel like the car is slumping forward when you hear that grinding? kinda like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83Pw3V8pMeI
cause that would be your control arm bushings

[Randy]

thanks Blakneto and badrat,
But its not the bushings - i replaced them both 2 years ago with powerflex replacements.
i also replaced my control arms and tie-rods - all OEM (meyle).

Never considered the calipers though... maybe i need new brake fluid? why would this sound only become apparent in the last meter of actually stopping?
its really sounds painful.

[BADRAT]

how are your bearings?

[slemmer]

sliders or dust shield?

[T.Dot_E30]

I'd check the inside pad, you can't see them easily by visually looking at them.
If the calipers seized or weren't properly serviced they won't work correctly and sometimes wear out only the inside pad. Also your brake pad sensor is only on one side, so it could be something wrong on the other side.

Check that first, sounds like your brakes are grinding.

'crunchy-ish grindy-ish' is pretty hard to guess what you mean, you probably need someone to take a look at your car. Since it could be your brakes, you should probably get it checked sooner than later, you kinda need them.....

[Renboy]

Swaybar endlinks?