Shaky steering since new pads! - BMW Forum

Henri · 09-07-2005, 09:18 AM

Hi

I had my brake pads changed last week (all the pads). I went to a Midas shop (i don't think I need to go to dealership for pads replacement?) and the guy there turned all my 4 rotors (I hears that BMW rotors cannot be turned (resurfaced) but...? He really did it) and installed new EBC GreenStuff pads.

Since then, when I brake gently at high speed, I can clearly feel the steering shaking... is this normal for all new pads? I've done approx. 350km with the car since the pads change.

Since I didn't bought the pads at Midas, I don't want to go back there if you tell me it's the pads that are defect... If you think it's the installation that might be done incorrectly, I'll go back and ask them to check for this.

What do you think?

Thanks

e36surge · 09-07-2005, 10:09 AM

Henri,

It is not your pads. You need to change your rotors. If everything else on your bimmer is tight then it's your rotors. They're probably warped.

Good to see another MOntrealer on the board.

surge

thekid · 09-07-2005, 11:30 AM

Yep, it's the rotors. How do you like the EBC Green stuff pads? I have heard good and very bad things about them. I am always in the market for a non too expensive pad that will perform better than then Pagid or Mintex OEM replacement. There have been 2 occasions where I have practically melted the OEM replacement pads.

Henri · 09-07-2005, 04:20 PM

Damn... If it's the rotors, i think I'll live with the shake until they're gonna be due for a replacement.

Thanks for the info

For the question about the greenstuff: It's hard to tell right now because:

1) They're new so I brake slowly not to scrap them

2) The steering is shaking so...

I'll keep you in touch in a few days about these!

E36Surge! Yes nice to know you'Re from Montreal also!! Maybe we can share a few information on good places for parts and repairs! You can PM me or send me an email if you want

Have fun!

Henri

thekid · 09-07-2005, 07:02 PM

If you continue to drive with the rotors as is until next time you change you brake pads, you will start to get noise and experiance a lose of brake performance. I would not advise you to take this course of action. What I would advise you to do, is go back to the mechanic that you paid to "turn" your rotors and have him drive the car and see that the rotors were not correctly serviced. Get a refund for the work done on the rotors and replace them... perhaps free of labor.

SD318is · 09-07-2005, 08:18 PM

i have the same thing right now. Its because the guy who turned your rotors in not well trained or lazy. this is called "run-out". basically it is where there is a high spot on the rotor. it can be corrected if the tech knew how to properly run the machine or shims can be added behind the rotor to compensate. actually not sure in bmw can be shimmed, we do it on the vehicles at the chevrolet dealer i work for...

depending on how much thickness you have left on those rotors you might wanna take it back and see if they'll fix it. if they are too thin already just replace with new ones. tell them you think its excessive run-out, and if they dont know what that is never ever go back there

Delmarco · 09-07-2005, 10:29 PM

but rotors are fairly cheap. I think? Unless you are shopping for fancy drilled and slotted stuff. Normal BMW rotors are like $49 each.
Also, check your rear shock mounts. if they are old or blown they can cause your car to vibrate when braking at high speeds. Also check uneven tire pressure and worn tires that can cause the same problems.

93 325i · 09-08-2005, 09:15 AM

It is 100% that it is your rotors. I had the same with mine. Guy who I bought it from put new pads on old rotors and the wheel would shake when braking. I replaced the pads and rotors and the is absolutely no shake anymore. If you leave it you will mess up your front end. That vibrating will reek havoc on all your steering and suspension componets..do the rotors..

Furious · 09-08-2005, 12:14 PM

so i think a few things are the cause here, one the rotors werent resurfaced properly (and hell yess you can resurface them, unless you have cross drilled or slotted) or maybe the technician didnt notice that one of the rotors were warped ever so slightly.

in any case take the car to a proper mechanic not midas......like my friend who used to work at midas said to me......." shit dude most of us only know how to do domestic and a few different types of jap imports"

SD318is · 09-09-2005, 07:32 PM

its run-out, call it what it is. everyone here should start learning something, this probalem im willing to bet alot of money on is "excessive run-out"

go ask any ASE cert technitian about it

Henri · 09-12-2005, 12:27 PM

Ok, I went back to the shop, the guy looked at my rotors and he told me they weren't straight... So he suggested me to change the 2 front rotors... I paid for them but he installed them for free. (since I payed for the rotors to be turned one week ago).

They suggested me Eurotor (Eurorotor?) rotors, telling me they were great... don't know yet but at least, the steering isn't shaking anymore!

Next time: BMW mechanic, nothing else!

B)

SD318is · 09-12-2005, 08:19 PM

dont need a BMW tech for brakes, ASE certified would be nice though. and by "not straight" he means EXCESSIVE RUN-OUT. and i would be suspicous of the rear rotors too, maybe you just can feel it as much cause there's no direct connection (ie steering wheel) between the rear rotors and you

edit: just realized you're in Quebec, not sure if ASE exists up there...

fredo 328 · 09-12-2005, 08:36 PM

do it yourself next time, $140 shipped for OEM rotors and Mintex pads, two sensors

Furious · 09-13-2005, 03:37 AM

ok what is runout? explain it because this is a world wide forum , not everyone will understand the terminology... for instance runout sounds like the pads arent seating correct because the resign is bleeding... but im sure you might mean something else.

Henri · 10-13-2005, 05:54 PM

Hi again!

Ok this post is old but some people wanted to have some feedback on GreenStuff pads. I also have a question related to this

So, I had the Euro Rotors rotors installed, no shaky braking anymore but squeeling like hell... So... Don't know if it was the pads or the rotors so I had the GreenStuff replaced (by RedStuff) and now everything is fine! No more squeal, no shake. RedStuff is supposed to be better, braking is soft (i presume it's because the pads material is tougher). GreenStuff were squealing but braking harder.

Now, big question!! :P

I had the brake fluid flushed and refilled. Since this, my clutch is "squeeling" when released (after it is pressed for a few minutes, like on a red light for example)... So... what's wrong? I found on the net that the reservoir is the same for clutch fluid and brake fluid???

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...ing_Brakes.htm (bleeding brakes DIY)

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...utch_Slave.htm (flushing clutch)

Look at the white reservoir... what's wrong? it's the same on both DIY pages! Is it ok if the mechanic put DOT4 fluids in this??

Sorry if my question is dumb

Thanks for your help guys!