**** Dealers PART 2

So, the new discs were fitted, and have rectified the problem, or so I thought..............

The noise that was present prior to the discs being replaced, has gone, and has not returned.  However, I am still getting severe vibrations through the steering wheel when I brake.  But only under certain conditions, which is why I did not notice at first.

Now, any braking done under approx. 50mph, all fine.  Above 50, and when applying gentle braking, I get the vibrations, depress the peddle further, and the vibrations stop.  I am also getting a very slight vibration when driving, although you would never notice unless you were looking for it, so I don't know if that is just me being over sensitive.

So, thinking that it could be balancing, or tyres, I took it to the Kwik-Fit on Westgate Rd in Newcastle.  Very helpful guys.  They didn't think it would be the balance, but they re-did them for me, checked the tyres and had a good look around the buses and suspension.  Nothing obvious, no movement in the wheel.  They would have put the symptons down to a warped disc, but they have been replaced. So, they didn't know what to suggest, and they didn't charge me for the balancing.  Top blokes.  But, after the balancing, just as they thought, problem still there.

So, went to Fawdingtons today, just popped in for advice, as you do. Spoke to a lad called Alex on the service desk.  Must of worked for the AA before.  Very nice man.  Made me sit down and read the paper with a cup of coffee while he had someone go and road test the car for me.  After the road test, they had no idea other than a warped disc!  So, no charge for the road test, or the coffee, but suggested that they booked the car in and stripped the hubs to see if there was a problem there, would be a couple of hours labour (How much is that nowadays?), with no guarantee of a result.  Other than that, they had no idea what else to suggest. I spoke to the garage I bought it from, who stated that although exploratory work was not covered under warranty, they would pay half, and cover any costs to repair the fault, should they find one!

So, that's booked in for Thursday next week.  There is obviously something wrong, it's just that no-one can work out what it is.

Any ideas?  Anyone? ........ Anyone?

Edited by E46ACS

Goldryder wrote: Had a new ABS unit fitted and the problem ceased. Granted it was one of my Toyota's but the symptoms you describe do appear to be be virtually identical.

Hmmmmm.........  Interesting........    Not been mentioned that one......  Might mention it next week.......  Ta much.

Cheers Goldryder.    I will.

On a dealer subject, anyone had dealings with Prestige German Cars? There Inspection I and II are very competive rates £140 and £180. I was looking at £300 for a 1 at the dealer.

They are Black Diamond discs, which cost more than the BMW ones, which is why the garage were reluctant to change them in the first place.  I have read good things about Blk Dmd discs, I did some research when they were ordered, but you could be right!!!

I'll get Fawdingtons to check the discs & ABS when it goes in next week.

The reasoning behind checking the ABS sensors is cos quite often, and without realising it, the sensors can be damaged in some way, especially when aftermarket discs are fitted. They are quite fragile and easily upset. Why I suggested the ABS system being at fault is the fact the shivering is at a set speed or within a set speed, the majority of warping of a disc usually shows symptoms of shivering right through the braking motion, not through one section thereof, as described.

ABS sensors are notorious for going out of kilter and they don't always show up on the ABS warning light either, if as in this case they may damaged rather than disconnected. My 635 showed symptoms of ABS failure according to the dashboard warning, but no fault could be found, by the same token a fault on a sensor does not always register on the dashboard light. A tiny fleck of dust or grease is enough to put a sensor out of kilter, one sensor not working correctly will produce this type of shivering under braking in specific speed bands but not always through entire sequence.

Didn't think it was that much.

E46 you thought about using an indy instead now?

Any further news on this?

A thought has occurred (& I'm sure I've read this somewhere recently) but it could be dirt or a bit of rust on the hub face where the disc sits. This would put the disc slightly out of true.

Worth removing the discs & making absolutely sure the mounting surface is spot-on clean.

Until then I shall make the most of your predicament & enjoy out-braking you into corners!

 

Picked the car up from Fawdingtons today........

They said the discs were warped and I need new ones!!!  Although they hadn't been able to test them fully as they were grooved and their machine can't test grooved discs!  So, I have no idea what to do next!  The only thing not tried is getting the tracking & alignment done, as it does pull to the left under braking, but only during the judder.  Although, the judder doesn't feel as bad now. 

Plus, I now have a 'ticking' in the car which increases with speed.  It's not coming from the wheels, but inside the car. So I will have to go back for that now.

But as for the judder, i'm at a loss as to what to do now.......

Edited by E46ACS