Brake wobble

Brake wobble

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Discussion

jonny996

Original Poster:

2,618 posts

218 months

Friday 25th July 2008
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Above 60 I get a a rythmic noise which incresse with speed but not revs, I have all the wheels balanced as I thought a weight had fallen off. Now I am getting a a braking wobble when gently braking at slow speeds, it feels like a wheel is egg shaped.

Do brake disk warp ? could this be my problem ? not mechanical at all, but I do not want to spend a fortune on diagnostics.

Help please.

PS it is a 2002 325 sport but has only done 21000 miles should brakes not last longer than that.

belleair302

6,847 posts

208 months

Friday 25th July 2008
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Not going to be brake disk related unless you are braking. Most likely cause is going to be related to bushes, drive shaft vibration, suspension linkages and steering box.

Get the car up on a ramp and have your local specialist spend some time under there checking that everything is tight and secure.

nobrakelights

29 posts

190 months

Friday 25th July 2008
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I have a similar wobble in my 2002 330d in that I get the wobble under light braking - I know that these eat brake discs and I'm guessing that my new'ish discs are slightly warped already, this being exaggerated by bad wishbone bushes. I checked this the other week by looking in a shop window I was alongside and jabbing the brake as I crawled along. I could see the front wheel clunk back in the arch by a few mil - not much, but definitely obvious!

There are big bushes on the rear of the front wishbones which, I believe, are a common problem.

It's a quick check you could do!

However, I should point out that I don't have any noises while cruising.

Neil.D

2,878 posts

207 months

Sunday 27th July 2008
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Possibly a sticking brake caliper.
After a drive feel the tempreture of the wheel itself. They heat up red hot (so be careful) after a few miles driving if it is. Will need striping down and cleaning up if so.

Neil

8Tech

2,136 posts

199 months

Sunday 27th July 2008
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I would definately check the front wishbone rear "lollipop" bushes as they are a major issue on all E36 and E46 cars. I strongly recommend you replace them ANYWAY with polyurethane bushes once and for all as although the mileage is low, age can deteriorate them.

Try this real performance upgrade first before diving in with new discs.

bazking69

8,620 posts

191 months

Tuesday 29th July 2008
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As above, the front wishbone rear bushes are the likely suspect. Mine had a wobble above 80MPH that having the wheels balanced didn't sort. You could also feel a knock through the steering wheel when the brakes bite. You could also noticed feedback through the sterring wheel over bumps at slow speed.
While I was there I replaced the front arms as well and the ARB D bushes. Problems sorted. Feels good as new.

jonny996

Original Poster:

2,618 posts

218 months

Tuesday 29th July 2008
quotequote all
bazking69 said:
As above, the front wishbone rear bushes are the likely suspect. Mine had a wobble above 80MPH that having the wheels balanced didn't sort. You could also feel a knock through the steering wheel when the brakes bite. You could also noticed feedback through the sterring wheel over bumps at slow speed.
While I was there I replaced the front arms as well and the ARB D bushes. Problems sorted. Feels good as new.
Can I ask what that all cost? or did you do it yourself?

8Tech

2,136 posts

199 months

Thursday 31st July 2008
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ARB and lollipop bushes are an easy, DIY job and will cost about £85 the lot to do and you dont even have to remove the lower arms.

Lower arms are a bit more tricky, 4 balljoints to split and the inner o/s is not too accessable. PLUS the arms are about £80 EACH. Not needed unless balljoints are failing.

jonny996

Original Poster:

2,618 posts

218 months

Thursday 31st July 2008
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Update, everyone guessed correct as it required a wishbone kit & it also had a sticking OSR calliper.

Drives like new now, stearing feels heavier but hat may be down to the facy I have been driving a SMART car for the last 2 days.

bazking69

8,620 posts

191 months

Thursday 31st July 2008
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Job done.
I did the work myself. Sourced the bushes on ebay for about £30 for the pair. £45 each for the arms, again on ebay. A matter of a few quid each for the ARB bushes from the stealer.
I only did the wishbones because I decided that for the sake of an extra £90 and a couple of hours work I would 'refresh' the whole lot, given that the old ones were probably the originals.
Also replaced the front discs and pads while there.

jonny996

Original Poster:

2,618 posts

218 months

Friday 1st August 2008
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brake sticking again, this time they are saying put a new caliper on