[luv2bike]

Hi,

Wondering if those of you who have taken your G87 down a gravel road might have experienced this.

Twice now, I have had a piece of gravel get lodged briefly against a front brake rotor. Makes an awful racket while there. First time I thought it was just a fluke but happened again today. I have about a kilometer of gravel road that I travel every couple weeks. Always done at a slow 20kph. First occasion it dislodged after about 15 sec, today was longer at about 60 sec.

Assuming it is the sticky performance rubber picking up small gravel and flinging it around in close proximity to the brakes?

Any similar experiences, or suggestions?

It was bad enough today I stopped twice to look under the car to make sure it was nothing more serious.

Thanks

[Ronin76]

Originally Posted by luv2bike

Hi,

Wondering if those of you who have taken your G87 down a gravel road might have experienced this.

Twice now, I have had a piece of gravel get lodged briefly against a front brake rotor. Makes an awful racket while there. First time I thought it was just a fluke but happened again today. I have about a kilometer of gravel road that I travel every couple weeks. Always done at a slow 20kph. First occasion it dislodged after about 15 sec, today was longer at about 60 sec.

Assuming it is the sticky performance rubber picking up small gravel and flinging it around in close proximity to the brakes?

Any similar experiences, or suggestions?

It was bad enough today I stopped twice to look under the car to make sure it was nothing more serious.

Thanks

You should watch the Nick Murray Youtube video about “What BMW owners need to know” as he talked about this. He made it when he had his F generation M4.

[apez]

Has happened to me a couple times in an abandoned parking lot being used for autocross. Parking/pit area is full of gravel. Typically backing up while weaving has helped it drop out.

Such an awful sound. I was wondering if spacers made it more likely.

[Carefree]

It happened to me a couple times exiting a county park in Arizona on a blacktop road scattered with sand/gravel. Scared the sh** out of me.

Pull over ASAP to a safe area. Back up slowly and turn wheel slightly side to side to clear the debris.

Then go to Sport+ and kick ass.

[AZG87]

Gravel roads???

[RockCrusher]

So far have not had this happen with my M2. But had it happen two times with my Boxster. First a twig -- I was driving on roads covered with twigs the results of an ice storm -- which I managed to dislodge by backing up and turning the steering wheel lock to lock.

Second time happened when leaving work. This time what proved to be a rock was caught. No amount of backing dislodged the rock. Had to jack up the car remove the passenger side front wheel and pry the splash shield a bit to let the rock fall out. Not a large one, either. Not even "pea sized.

Might add for years my SOP has to be to avoid driving on unpaved/gravel roads, but both of these events happened on paved road and a paved parking lot.

In your case if you can't avoid driving on a gravel road all I can offer is take it slow -- mainly to reduce changes of rock chips to the underside of the car -- and if you hear something caught do what you need to do to dislodge it.

[DrewNewM2]

Happened to me a couple of times and was the worst sound I’ve heard while driving a car. Thought the engine fell out and was dragging on the road

[techwhiz1]

My i4 has been a victim at least 4.or 5 times and no gravel roads.

Find a clear space and reverse.

[luv2bike]

Thank you for the input and for putting me at ease. Never realized this was a BMW thing, as referenced in the video above. As mentioned, the noise is wicked, like every underbody shield loosened off and is dragging. Never had a vehicle that was prone to this.

The collective wisdom/experience on this forum never fails to impress.

Thank you!

[beren]

Yeah - freaked me out totally. Reverse it and it should come out. Terrible screeching sound.

[DarkNight707]

I think this happened to me… does it sound like if you are dragging a metal fence?

[luv2bike]

Yes, good analogy. It's an awful racket.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by AZG87

Gravel roads???

I avoid them like the plague

I go as slow as possible if need be

[DarkNight707]

Originally Posted by luv2bike

Yes, good analogy. It's an awful racket.

Thanks for confirming.

It scared the crap out of me!!! I was pulling into a small strip mall driveway and as soon as I turned the wheel to enter the driveway on an angle the noise started. Did I run over something?!! Quickly parked, reverse the car into a more secure spot, checked underneath nothing out of place no fluids, my passanger turn the wheels right and left and nothing.

So concerned, I drove thru some local streets before getting to the main boulevard… the sound never came back.