E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

I have vibration of the sterring wheel on braking on an E39. There's
no vibrattion through the brake pedal. Just had a diagnosis from a
garage - "brake discs (rotors) need replacing". On reading the Brake
FAQ I see that worn suspension bushes can cause vibration of the
stereing wheel. The vibration is worse at higher speeds. I would have
thought that warped rotors would be felt through the pedal as well as
the steerrng wheel. I'm on a tight budget, and don't want to replace
the brake discs unecessarily. Can someone confirm that warped rotors
would be felt through the brake pedal ? Or not ? I'd also be
interested in the difficulty (i.e. cost) of replacing the suspension
bushes *& which ones need to be replaced.

Its a E39 528i 50K miles.

Any help appreciated

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

"holdgaj" > wrote in message
...
>I have vibration of the sterring wheel on braking on an E39. There's
> no vibrattion through the brake pedal. Just had a diagnosis from a
> garage - "brake discs (rotors) need replacing".

That's my diagnosis too.

Warped rotors can be felt through the pedal, but they are not always felt
there. They are felt in the steering wheel.

I can't address the difficulty of replacing the bushings, but I've heard
here many times that it is a DIY-kind of job. If you have the ability to
install new rotors, you can do the bushings.

Warped rotors are a result of heat, which is a byproduct of worn brake pads.
The pad material, when thick, does not generate much heat at the surface.
When the pads wear, the heat that normally sinks out of the pad backing
plates does not sink as well, the pad material acts as a heat sink/insulator
when the pads are new, and this characteristic is lost as the pads wear out.

If the pads are close to end life, AND you have to mash the brakes to stop
short from a relatively high speed, then the heat generated can warp the
rotors. If the pads are new under the same conditions, the rotors will
survive the ordeal and work well for the next stop. When the pads are worn,
the next stop can be shakey.

The suspension parts (bushings) will generally load up under braking, and
remain under the constant load until you stop. This means that the worn
bushings can cause noises when going over speed bumps or on rough roads,
where the suspension parts move around, or they can cause the car to pull to
one side as the geometry changes under braking. Suspension parts (bushings)
do not generally cause shaking under braking. You may need bushings, this is
common, but I'm not sure that shaking is the first sign. Indeed, worn
bushings can make the effects of warped rotors even worse, but if the rotors
are in good shape, you ought not notice worn bushings during braking.

You should be able to replace both rotors and all four pads -- always
replace brake parts in Axle Sets, never peice-meal brake service -- for
about $100-ish in parts.




On reading the Brake
> FAQ I see that worn suspension bushes can cause vibration of the
> stereing wheel. The vibration is worse at higher speeds. I would have
> thought that warped rotors would be felt through the pedal as well as
> the steerrng wheel. I'm on a tight budget, and don't want to replace
> the brake discs unecessarily. Can someone confirm that warped rotors
> would be felt through the brake pedal ? Or not ? I'd also be
> interested in the difficulty (i.e. cost) of replacing the suspension
> bushes *& which ones need to be replaced.
>
> Its a E39 528i 50K miles.
>
> Any help appreciated
>

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:48:53 -0700 (PDT), holdgaj
> wrote:

>I have vibration of the sterring wheel on braking on an E39. There's
>no vibrattion through the brake pedal. Just had a diagnosis from a
>garage - "brake discs (rotors) need replacing". On reading the Brake
>FAQ I see that worn suspension bushes can cause vibration of the
>stereing wheel. The vibration is worse at higher speeds. I would have
>thought that warped rotors would be felt through the pedal as well as
>the steerrng wheel. I'm on a tight budget, and don't want to replace
>the brake discs unecessarily. Can someone confirm that warped rotors
>would be felt through the brake pedal ? Or not ? I'd also be
>interested in the difficulty (i.e. cost) of replacing the suspension
>bushes *& which ones need to be replaced.
>
>Its a E39 528i 50K miles.
>
>Any help appreciated

This is general information. I don't know jack about BMWs. On my chevy
van you can feel warped rotors through the brake pedal but not through
the steering wheel and only while braking lightly when coming very
slowly to a stop. There's kind of a side-to-side "swims like a fish"
wobble feeling the last 5 feet before the van stops. The disks can be
turned for $25 each where I live.
A sophisticated car like yours should warn you well before brake parts
start overheating to the point they warp the rotors is my guess. Even
my '88 325 has a dash light that tells you if the pads need replacing.
This kind of heat happens when the calipers are stuck closed from rust
on the slides maybe. Also, filthy brake fluid can have rust in it
which plugs up the return line so the calipers stay partially on. That
makes the brakes drag and then they heat up the rotors. This should be
obvious when you tear down to replace or turn the rotors. Good luck
and happy motoring.

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

holdgaj > wrote:
>I have vibration of the sterring wheel on braking on an E39. There's
>no vibrattion through the brake pedal. Just had a diagnosis from a
>garage - "brake discs (rotors) need replacing". On reading the Brake
>FAQ I see that worn suspension bushes can cause vibration of the
>stereing wheel. The vibration is worse at higher speeds. I would have
>thought that warped rotors would be felt through the pedal as well as
>the steerrng wheel. I'm on a tight budget, and don't want to replace
>the brake discs unecessarily. Can someone confirm that warped rotors
>would be felt through the brake pedal ? Or not ? I'd also be
>interested in the difficulty (i.e. cost) of replacing the suspension
>bushes *& which ones need to be replaced.
>
>Its a E39 528i 50K miles.

Your rotors are bad, yes. Change them; it's an easy job and not too
expensive to do.

When did you last do a brake job? At 50k, you should be coming up ready
for a whole pile of preventative maintenance.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

In article
>,
holdgaj > wrote:
> I have vibration of the sterring wheel on braking on an E39. There's
> no vibrattion through the brake pedal. Just had a diagnosis from a
> garage - "brake discs (rotors) need replacing". On reading the Brake
> FAQ I see that worn suspension bushes can cause vibration of the
> stereing wheel. The vibration is worse at higher speeds. I would have
> thought that warped rotors would be felt through the pedal as well as
> the steerrng wheel. I'm on a tight budget, and don't want to replace
> the brake discs unecessarily. Can someone confirm that warped rotors
> would be felt through the brake pedal ? Or not ? I'd also be
> interested in the difficulty (i.e. cost) of replacing the suspension
> bushes *& which ones need to be replaced.

It is very likely the control arm bushes if the vehicle has done more than
about 70,000 miles and they are original. Unfortunately, as they're fluid
filled, it's difficult to tell if there are worn by levering etc as they
have some 'give' when perfect.

They can be replaced with the correct workshop equipment, but few will
have this so just replace the entire arm.

IMHO it's far more likely to be the cause than warped discs. Even although
most mechanics who don't know this model will diagnose that.

--
*The statement below is true.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

On 28 Aug, 20:12, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
> holdgaj > wrote:
> >I have vibration of the sterring wheel on braking on an E39. There's
> >no vibrattion through the brake pedal. Just had a diagnosis from a
> >garage - "brake discs (rotors) need replacing". On reading the Brake
> >FAQ I see that worn suspension bushes can cause vibration of the
> >stereing wheel. The vibration is worse at higher speeds. I would have
> >thought that warped rotors would be felt through the pedal as well as
> >the steerrng wheel. I'm on a tight budget, and don't want to replace
> >the brake discs unecessarily. Can someone confirm that warped rotors
> >would be felt through the brake pedal ? Or not ? I'd also be
> >interested in the difficulty (i.e. cost) *of replacing the suspension
> >bushes *& which ones need to be replaced.
>
> >Its a E39 528i 50K miles.
>
> Your rotors are bad, yes. *Change them; it's an easy job and not too
> expensive to do.
>
> When did you last do a brake job? *At 50k, you should be coming up ready
> for a whole pile of preventative maintenance.
> --scott
> --
> "C'est un Nagra. *C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Could you give me an idea of exactly what preventitive maintainance I
should be doing - as mentioned above, I might as well have the garage
do it at thye same time they do the rotors ...

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

On 29 Aug, 00:58, "Dave Plowman (News)" > wrote:
> In article
> >,
> * *holdgaj > wrote:
>
> > I have vibration of the sterring wheel on braking on an E39. There's
> > no vibrattion through the brake pedal. Just had a diagnosis from a
> > garage - "brake discs (rotors) need replacing". On reading the Brake
> > FAQ I see that worn suspension bushes can cause vibration of the
> > stereing wheel. The vibration is worse at higher speeds. I would have
> > thought that warped rotors would be felt through the pedal as well as
> > the steerrng wheel. I'm on a tight budget, and don't want to replace
> > the brake discs unecessarily. Can someone confirm that warped rotors
> > would be felt through the brake pedal ? Or not ? I'd also be
> > interested in the difficulty (i.e. cost) *of replacing the suspension
> > bushes *& which ones need to be replaced.
>
> It is very likely the control arm bushes if the vehicle has done more than
> about 70,000 miles and they are original. Unfortunately, as they're fluid
> filled, it's difficult to tell if there are worn by levering etc as they
> have some 'give' when perfect.
>
> They can be replaced with the correct workshop equipment, but few will
> have this so just replace the entire arm.
>
> IMHO it's far more likely to be the cause than warped discs. Even although
> most mechanics who don't know this model will diagnose that.
>
> --
> *The statement below is true. *
>
> * * Dave Plowman * * * * * * * * London SW
> * * * * * * * * * To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Any idea what this might cost (replacement of the bushes ) I just had
a quoute of 800Euro for the job ... Seems like a lot ...

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

holdgaj > wrote:
>
>Could you give me an idea of exactly what preventitive maintainance I
>should be doing - as mentioned above, I might as well have the garage
>do it at thye same time they do the rotors ...

Well, at 50K you should be doing brake fluid, transmission fluid,
differential fluid. Probably the usual filter change too (and that
includes the fuel filter), and maybe a coolant flush.

The point about loose bushings causing similar vibration problems is a
good one, and you should definitely have a mechanic go over your front
end. If the bushings are loose, the brake rotors will get worn unevenly
too, so just because you find the bushings are bad doesn't mean you can
ignore the brakes.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

"holdgaj" > wrote in message
...
>I have vibration of the sterring wheel on braking on an E39. There's
> no vibrattion through the brake pedal. Just had a diagnosis from a
> garage - "brake discs (rotors) need replacing". On reading the Brake
> FAQ I see that worn suspension bushes can cause vibration of the
> stereing wheel. The vibration is worse at higher speeds. I would have
> thought that warped rotors would be felt through the pedal as well as
> the steerrng wheel. I'm on a tight budget, and don't want to replace
> the brake discs unecessarily. Can someone confirm that warped rotors
> would be felt through the brake pedal ? Or not ? I'd also be
> interested in the difficulty (i.e. cost) of replacing the suspension
> bushes *& which ones need to be replaced.
>
> Its a E39 528i 50K miles.
>
> Any help appreciated
>

If your car has only 50k miles, you should be consulting the Owner's Manual
for the recommended service. My recollection is the 50k service is mostly
fluid level checks.

Depending on your driving habits, the front brakes are toast, and are
screaming for replacement.

I seriously doubt the suspension bushings are playing into your shaking.

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

In article >,
Scott Dorsey > wrote:
> >Could you give me an idea of exactly what preventitive maintainance I
> >should be doing - as mentioned above, I might as well have the garage
> >do it at thye same time they do the rotors ...

> Well, at 50K you should be doing brake fluid, transmission fluid,
> differential fluid. Probably the usual filter change too (and that
> includes the fuel filter), and maybe a coolant flush.

Brake fluid and coolant changes are part of routine servicing.

--
*A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

On 30 Aug, 00:57, "Dave Plowman (News)" > wrote:
> In article >,
> * *Scott Dorsey > wrote:
>
> > >Could you give me an idea of exactly what preventitive maintainance I
> > >should be doing - as mentioned above, I might as well have the garage
> > >do it at thye same time they do the rotors ...
> > Well, at 50K you should be doing brake fluid, transmission fluid,
> > differential fluid. *Probably the usual filter change too (and that
> > includes the fuel filter), and maybe a coolant flush.
>
> Brake fluid and coolant changes are part of routine servicing.
>
> --
> *A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory *
>
> * * Dave Plowman * * * * * * * * London SW
> * * * * * * * * * To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Thanks to all who responded - i've decided to have the Rotors changed
& see how I go from there.

The car just had a fluids service - so all well with that side of
things.

Thanks again to all

J

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

In article
>,
holdgaj > wrote:
> On 30 Aug, 00:57, "Dave Plowman (News)" > wrote:
> > In article >,
> > Scott Dorsey > wrote:
> >
> > > >Could you give me an idea of exactly what preventitive maintainance
> > > >I should be doing - as mentioned above, I might as well have the
> > > >garage do it at thye same time they do the rotors ...
> > > Well, at 50K you should be doing brake fluid, transmission fluid,
> > > differential fluid. Probably the usual filter change too (and that
> > > includes the fuel filter), and maybe a coolant flush.
> >
> > Brake fluid and coolant changes are part of routine servicing.

> Thanks to all who responded - I've decided to have the Rotors changed
> & see how I go from there.

I'm willing to bet it won't effect a total cure. Warped discs aren't
anything like as common as some suggest. Or rather measure any 'old' disc
and you'll find some runout. But the steering shake this 'causes' is a
problem with the suspension.

> The car just had a fluids service - so all well with that side of
> things.

The transmission and final drive lubricants aren't part of any fluid
service.

> Thanks again to all

Best of luck. ;-)

--
*If your feet smell and your nose runs, you're built upside down.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

Brake rotors on German cars generally wear to where they get narrower in
thickness. Unlike American cars, the German rotors are intended to wear.
After a minimum thickness, they need to be replaced. Likely about every
second brake job. The maintenance manual has a minimim thickness that
should be checked with every brake job. If the rotors have gotten too thin,
then their warpage is easily explained.

Change the rotors and pay attention to their thickness at each brake pad
change and you should have no problems.

Vito


"holdgaj" > wrote in message
...
On 28 Aug, 20:12, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
> holdgaj > wrote:
> >I have vibration of the sterring wheel on braking on an E39. There's
> >no vibrattion through the brake pedal. Just had a diagnosis from a
> >garage - "brake discs (rotors) need replacing". On reading the Brake
> >FAQ I see that worn suspension bushes can cause vibration of the
> >stereing wheel. The vibration is worse at higher speeds. I would have
> >thought that warped rotors would be felt through the pedal as well as
> >the steerrng wheel. I'm on a tight budget, and don't want to replace
> >the brake discs unecessarily. Can someone confirm that warped rotors
> >would be felt through the brake pedal ? Or not ? I'd also be
> >interested in the difficulty (i.e. cost) of replacing the suspension
> >bushes *& which ones need to be replaced.
>
> >Its a E39 528i 50K miles.
>
> Your rotors are bad, yes. Change them; it's an easy job and not too
> expensive to do.
>
> When did you last do a brake job? At 50k, you should be coming up ready
> for a whole pile of preventative maintenance.
> --scott
> --
> "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Could you give me an idea of exactly what preventitive maintainance I
should be doing - as mentioned above, I might as well have the garage
do it at thye same time they do the rotors ...

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

On Wed, 3 Sep 2008 05:04:34 -0700, "Uncle_vito" >
wrote:

>Brake rotors on German cars generally wear to where they get narrower in
>thickness. Unlike American cars, the German rotors are intended to wear.
>After a minimum thickness, they need to be replaced. Likely about every
>second brake job. The maintenance manual has a minimim thickness that
>should be checked with every brake job. If the rotors have gotten too thin,
>then their warpage is easily explained.
>
>Change the rotors and pay attention to their thickness at each brake pad
>change and you should have no problems.
>

Also check and replace if needed the tie rod back to the chassis as this will
also cause judder on braking.


>Vito
>
>
>"holdgaj" > wrote in message
...
>On 28 Aug, 20:12, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
>> holdgaj > wrote:
>> >I have vibration of the sterring wheel on braking on an E39. There's
>> >no vibrattion through the brake pedal. Just had a diagnosis from a
>> >garage - "brake discs (rotors) need replacing". On reading the Brake
>> >FAQ I see that worn suspension bushes can cause vibration of the
>> >stereing wheel. The vibration is worse at higher speeds. I would have
>> >thought that warped rotors would be felt through the pedal as well as
>> >the steerrng wheel. I'm on a tight budget, and don't want to replace
>> >the brake discs unecessarily. Can someone confirm that warped rotors
>> >would be felt through the brake pedal ? Or not ? I'd also be
>> >interested in the difficulty (i.e. cost) of replacing the suspension
>> >bushes *& which ones need to be replaced.
>>
>> >Its a E39 528i 50K miles.
>>
>> Your rotors are bad, yes. Change them; it's an easy job and not too
>> expensive to do.
>>
>> When did you last do a brake job? At 50k, you should be coming up ready
>> for a whole pile of preventative maintenance.
>> --scott
>> --
>> "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
>
>Could you give me an idea of exactly what preventitive maintainance I
>should be doing - as mentioned above, I might as well have the garage
>do it at thye same time they do the rotors ...
>
>
--

Sir Hugh of Bognor

The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.

Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it!

Hugh Gundersen

Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

I had a similar problem and still haven't quite fully resolved it. I
have an E39 with 75K. At around 60K I had both my front rotors
replaced by the dealer in Miami. This was around December 2007. Since
then I have gone through 2 other front left rotors trying to resolve
the vibration problems.

First time around I had visible warpage on the left rotor. That rotor
was replaced by the dealer at now charge. About three weeks later the
vibration returned. Took it to the dealer again and they said I had a
bent hub on the left wheel. So I had that replaced (luckily I have
CPO) though I had to buy the replacement rotor because the warpage was
caused by the hub, so I was told. Dealer said both pads and right
rotor were within spec.

Two weeks later I am back at South BMW in Miami with vibration issues
again. This time I am told that my thrust bushing "might" be the
cause. The pads and rotors are inspected and they are within BMW
specs. As for the thrust bushing, they want the tiny sum of $475.00 --
So I found a small independent BMW mechanic that did the job for $200
-- But the vibrations are still there.

As I was ready to throw in the towel, I found an article on StopTech
about the bed-in process. Well I tried this and wouldn't you know, it
actually reduced the vibrations considerably. So I did it again -- and
the vibration has only occasionally appeared. So that is why I say I
still haven't quite resolved it. I may very well have had a bad hub
that caused the first rotor to warp, but the proper bedding in process
has probably made more difference then the thrust bushing (which
weren't visibly bad).

Regards,
Rick

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

> wrote in message
...
>I had a similar problem and still haven't quite fully resolved it. I
> have an E39 with 75K. At around 60K I had both my front rotors
> replaced by the dealer in Miami. This was around December 2007. Since
> then I have gone through 2 other front left rotors trying to resolve
> the vibration problems.
>
> First time around I had visible warpage on the left rotor. That rotor
> was replaced by the dealer at now charge. About three weeks later the
> vibration returned. Took it to the dealer again and they said I had a
> bent hub on the left wheel. So I had that replaced (luckily I have
> CPO) though I had to buy the replacement rotor because the warpage was
> caused by the hub, so I was told. Dealer said both pads and right
> rotor were within spec.
>
> Two weeks later I am back at South BMW in Miami with vibration issues
> again. This time I am told that my thrust bushing "might" be the
> cause. The pads and rotors are inspected and they are within BMW
> specs. As for the thrust bushing, they want the tiny sum of $475.00 --
> So I found a small independent BMW mechanic that did the job for $200
> -- But the vibrations are still there.
>
> As I was ready to throw in the towel, I found an article on StopTech
> about the bed-in process. Well I tried this and wouldn't you know, it
> actually reduced the vibrations considerably. So I did it again -- and
> the vibration has only occasionally appeared. So that is why I say I
> still haven't quite resolved it. I may very well have had a bad hub
> that caused the first rotor to warp, but the proper bedding in process
> has probably made more difference then the thrust bushing (which
> weren't visibly bad).
>
> Regards,
> Rick


I drive an E36 convertible. My brakes -- all of them -- were worn below the
min thickness stamped on them and the pads were down to about 3 or 4 mm
remaining. Stopping was smooth and sure, even though the parts were
obviously worn out.

I bought all new rotors and pads from an eBay Store, and the front rotors
were not machined well and caused a serious vibration out of the box. I
called to complain, and another set of rotors arrived on my doorstep within
a few days.

I took those brand new rotors to a machine shop and found they were machined
wrong. I paid $30 to have both rotors machined true on both sides, and they
work very well now. I brought the original set of rotors to the same machine
shop and found the same machine work was needed for them. Another $30, and I
have a set of rotors to use when the need arises.

My point is, it is possible to remove a few thousandths of rotor material to
make them true, and this distinctly a possibility that should be considered.
Take your new rotors and simply have them measured and turned if needed to
make them true.

Good luck.

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

On Fri, 5 Sep 2008 13:05:56 -0700, "Jeff Strickland" > wrote:

>
> wrote in message
...
>>I had a similar problem and still haven't quite fully resolved it. I
>> have an E39 with 75K. At around 60K I had both my front rotors
>> replaced by the dealer in Miami. This was around December 2007. Since
>> then I have gone through 2 other front left rotors trying to resolve
>> the vibration problems.
>>
>> First time around I had visible warpage on the left rotor. That rotor
>> was replaced by the dealer at now charge. About three weeks later the
>> vibration returned. Took it to the dealer again and they said I had a
>> bent hub on the left wheel. So I had that replaced (luckily I have
>> CPO) though I had to buy the replacement rotor because the warpage was
>> caused by the hub, so I was told. Dealer said both pads and right
>> rotor were within spec.
>>
>> Two weeks later I am back at South BMW in Miami with vibration issues
>> again. This time I am told that my thrust bushing "might" be the
>> cause. The pads and rotors are inspected and they are within BMW
>> specs. As for the thrust bushing, they want the tiny sum of $475.00 --
>> So I found a small independent BMW mechanic that did the job for $200
>> -- But the vibrations are still there.
>>
>> As I was ready to throw in the towel, I found an article on StopTech
>> about the bed-in process. Well I tried this and wouldn't you know, it
>> actually reduced the vibrations considerably. So I did it again -- and
>> the vibration has only occasionally appeared. So that is why I say I
>> still haven't quite resolved it. I may very well have had a bad hub
>> that caused the first rotor to warp, but the proper bedding in process
>> has probably made more difference then the thrust bushing (which
>> weren't visibly bad).
>>
>> Regards,
>> Rick
>
>
>I drive an E36 convertible. My brakes -- all of them -- were worn below the
>min thickness stamped on them and the pads were down to about 3 or 4 mm
>remaining. Stopping was smooth and sure, even though the parts were
>obviously worn out.
>
>I bought all new rotors and pads from an eBay Store, and the front rotors
>were not machined well and caused a serious vibration out of the box. I
>called to complain, and another set of rotors arrived on my doorstep within
>a few days.
>
>I took those brand new rotors to a machine shop and found they were machined
>wrong. I paid $30 to have both rotors machined true on both sides, and they
>work very well now. I brought the original set of rotors to the same machine
>shop and found the same machine work was needed for them. Another $30, and I
>have a set of rotors to use when the need arises.
>
>My point is, it is possible to remove a few thousandths of rotor material to
>make them true, and this distinctly a possibility that should be considered.
>Take your new rotors and simply have them measured and turned if needed to
>make them true.
>
>Good luck.
>
At one time here in the UK FORD supplied brake pads that had a special grinding
or bedding in surface on the contact faces.

Warning were given NOT TO DRIVE and BRAKE HARD in the first 200 miles of use.

These were pre - no-asbestos pads I must add and the rotors were not changed
every other brake pad change ('72 - 86).

This actually ground the surface of the rotors to match the brake calipers etc.
and - by Jove old chap - if dammed well worked and got rid of 90% of front end
vibration issues.

I did once use a similar setup on an old Jag once by sticking some emery cloth
to the pad surfaces and made sure I drove very lightly for a couple of weeks -
the emery eventually wore off and I presume would have ripped off as did the
special surface on the FORD pads did if one hit the brakes in an emergency.

The judder and wobble on the jag was cured -

Just an idea - NO WARRANTIES GIVEN USE AT OWN RISK.

Hugh
--

Sir Hugh of Bognor

The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.

Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it!

Hugh Gundersen

Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK

E39 Vibration on Braking - help please !
 

Eish people its the control arms doing the shaking replace them and replace the bushes aswell problem solve, seems like people on this site knows jack fixing ore diagnosing problens eish i had various problems with my bmwe39 530 and if i had to listen to the mechanics on this site i would have never solved any of my problems