e46 330i Braking Vibration - Any Ideas?

[seang83]

Well about 3 months ago but I've done no more than 1500-2000 miles since. Ive recently had 2 new tyres fitted on the front too so surely they would of balanced the wheels then? Also had various bushes and ball joints replaced when it was mot'd last month. Most of my driving is town driving under 50mph so its hard to pinpoint when it started. My Mrs drives it more than me but i asked her if shes noticed the vibration and she says she hasn't.

[ortontom]

id bet it calipers not bushes, worn bushes usually either make a knock up the suspension, or make the car tramline easier..discs are quite large so any wobble will be felt and as they are new discs and pads as you havent probably had your caliper back to a completely off position for a while (old discs and pads) , and has this issue got worse as more miles are put on the discs and pads....i bet they have.....as they have heated up and cooled down the wobble will get worse in time.....

[seang83]

ortontom said:

id bet it calipers not bushes, worn bushes usually either make a knock up the suspension, or make the car tramline easier..discs are quite large so any wobble will be felt and as they are new discs and pads as you havent probably had your caliper back to a completely off position for a while (old discs and pads) , and has this issue got worse as more miles are put on the discs and pads....i bet they have.....as they have heated up and cooled down the wobble will get worse in time.....

Ok I'll jack the car up at the weekend and see if its the caliper. If it is though why would it not vibrate below 50mph?

[ortontom]

maybe below 50 theres not enough friction to cause a problem.

id clean the wheels - spotless, drive for 50 miles and see which wheel has the most brake dust....and see which one feels the hotest.....it maybe hard to spot just looking underneath..

[seang83]

Ok thanks for the help

[lewis328]

ortontom said:

lewis sounds like lower ball joint and or drop links, with sticky caliper too.....its an e46 thing...

hoping all above is replaced, except caliper as that will add to bill. Should be getting car back later today so will confirm,

cheers ortontom

[lewis328]

Got car back last Sat, all fixed, rear coils replaced, front bushes, drop links etc on front. No issues with brakes and car is driving tight with no knocks, vibrations. Car now running 100%

[ortontom]

well great news - im glad its resolved proving that these cars are affected in many ways, my friend with his 330i did all the bushes drop links and then calipers...

[cynider]

Reviving old thread cause I have the exact same symptoms in my e46 M3. Only shudders while braking from high speed.

Seang83, did you ever resolve this?

[SebringMan]

cynider said:

Reviving old thread cause I have the exact same symptoms in my e46 M3. Only shudders while braking from high speed.

Seang83, did you ever resolve this?

New parts or old? What brand of parts are on? How long have you owned the car?

I'd go with discs on yours if the car is new to you; they're not cheap on an M3.

[cynider]

All new parts except calipers installed by trusted indy. Ate discs, stock pads. Ive owned the car for 2+ years no issues in the past but probably havent braked that hard from high speed before.

I will take it back to indy as the calipers were only installed week before tracking.

Edited by cynider on Friday 25th May 08:20

[helix402]

Are the front control arm rear bushes new/newish and genuine?

[cynider]

I dont recall refreshing these. But I just had an inspection II done a few months ago. Again, specialist indy so would have thought they'd have flagged them if worn.

[SebringMan]

I'd say to check your pads; 330i pads fit but are half of the cost. I doubt they'd cause a vibration however. Has it vibrated before or has it only started straight after the brake change?

I'd also check for wear in the joints. Even a worn TRE can cause issues like this.

[cynider]

Thanks. Will take it back to my indy for a thorough check.