E39 M5 Brake Wobble

[CarbonBlackM5]

I have started getting brake wobble/shudder through the steering wheel. It can be at different speeds.

Any ideas? New discs and pads were fitted all round in April. I have been reading on M5 Board and it seems a common problem. I carried out a running in process on Friday night and it seemed to work but it is back again.

Could it be rotors? Sticky Caliper maybe?

[Neil.D]

If it were a sticking calipers then the offending wheel would be too hot to touch after a drive.

Google/M5board search thrust/control arm bushes.

[MattOz]

This can be pad deposit on the disk. My car had Mintex pads in it when I bought it. Wheel wobble was evident. Changed for a set of OE pads and the disks cleaned up nicely and the wobble disappeared. Could be the pads, but equally could be front control arm bushes. Depends on what's been replaced when. Have the suspension bushes/arms been done already?

[CarbonBlackM5]

Yes I have read about pad residue, some interesting threads about it on M5 board. I think the bedding in process shifted some so perhaps I will try it again. I'm sure one of the control arms has been changed. I will need to check my
invoices.

[CarbonBlackM5]

OK, have booked the car in for investigation.

They did mention the bushes.

If it is the bushes I have read about upgrading to X5 ones. Is this worth it?

[broster]

I replaced with x5 bushes when mine went, didn't see the point in getting STD ones again, part of me wishes I went for the powerflex bushes tho!

[ferrisbueller]

Are the discs bright and shiny or dull?

[CarbonBlackM5]

I would say they are more shiny.

[ferrisbueller]

CarbonBlackM5 said:

I would say they are more shiny.

Suggests there's no build up on the discs. How new are the pads? If the pads are bedded in and there's no build up on the disc then you're on to the options above i.e. bushes or perhaps warped discs.

[996 sps]

My brakes are shockingly bad on my M5 went out for a blast tonight and by the time I d had a bit of a play the steering wheel was shaking and brakes fading in next to no time. Need to get it sorted asap! Still a fantastic car though and chuffed I brought one.

[CarbonBlackM5]

The discs and pads were new in April so Im hoping that it is the bushes although reading on the M5board it seems there is a lot of history about poor quality OEM discs.

[broster]

isnt alot of the poor quality OEM discs related to the non-european cars which has one piece disc not the floating set up that our cars have?

i had terrible brake judder on mine, replaced new discs and pads as they needed doing and the judder was still there (not at bad but 70%) new x5 bushes fitted and its only under alot of heavy hard braking that the judder comes back, next time ill go for powerflex bushes.

[996 sps]

Mines booked in for Friday going for new pads and brake fluid.

[996 sps]

996 sps said:

Mines booked in for Friday going for new pads and brake fluid.

Chaps anyone suggest good sites to buy this on a better budget and get the garage to fit it?

[Tango13]

996 sps said:

996 sps said:

Mines booked in for Friday going for new pads and brake fluid.

Chaps anyone suggest good sites to buy this on a better budget and get the garage to fit it?

Where abouts in Beds are you? If you're in the southern part then a quick blat down to Old Welwyn, Herts and a visit to Chambers & Gillies is worth the time. Ask for Dave or Wayne.

[mk1luvva]

I also had this for a week now,feels like metal to metal when going over bumps in road. Was told it was wishbone bushes.

[CarbonBlackM5]

Mines gone in this morning to have its brake control bushes replaced to see if that sorts it out.

[roofer]

It could be a number of things, do not discount steering drag link, the ball joint where it connects to the Pitman arm fails often. Have someone go right over the entire setup from lower arms through to all steering connections. Mine also used to wobble as soon as i had got the pads down to 50% wear, new pads used to restore it to normal. One of the weakest links on the E39 M5 is it having a steering box.

They do a repair kit for the lower control arm, only available in the UK called value line, although value and BMW don't relly sound right together, its a little cheaper than it used to be, part number 31122157598 .

Edited by roofer on Friday 17th September 09:06

[996 sps]

Picked mine up at 8 this morning, needed new front pads and discs 460 pound was the bill which I thought was reasonable. Im now back in the game!

[CarbonBlackM5]

996 sps said:

Picked mine up at 8 this morning, needed new front pads and discs 460 pound was the bill which I thought was reasonable. Im now back in the game!

Thats good news, did you get them to check all the bushes too?