[satish_141]

Hi all. just back from a trip on the motorway and felt a vibration in the steering wheel when braking from speed. My car has all 4 new discs and pads replaced about 6months ago so concerned what could be causing this? wheel balancing?

[Chappers 71]

If it's only under braking i would say its most likely the front discs, even though you've recently renewed them. Take it to somewhere that does a free brake test (STS, Kwik fit or similar) & their machine will tell if the brakes are out of balance & which disc it is.
I had this with my previous front discs even though I had only had them on a couple of months.
While your getting a brake test ask them to check wheel balance, you usually get vibration above 60mph or so if it's the wheels & not under braking. Do you feel it through the brake pedal?
Good luck getting it sorted

[satish_141]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

If it's only under braking i would say its most likely the front discs, even though you've recently renewed them. Take it to somewhere that does a free brake test (STS, Kwik fit or similar) & their machine will tell if the brakes are out of balance & which disc it is.
I had this with my previous front discs even though I had only had them on a couple of months.
While your getting a brake test ask them to check wheel balance, you usually get vibration above 60mph or so if it's the wheels & not under braking. Do you feel it through the brake pedal?
Good luck getting it sorted

thank you very much for the advice! will get breaks checked.

[Chappers 71]

No worries

[Etxp]

I remember when I had my E46 I had a similar problem that only seemed to appear on the motorways. It ended up being the front right calliper was seized and needed replacing. Changed them and all was fine after. Might be a similar problem you have?

[anees]

this....except mine was the front left.

Originally Posted by Etxp

I remember when I had my E46 I had a similar problem that only seemed to appear on the motorways. It ended up being the front right calliper was seized and needed replacing. Changed them and all was fine after. Might be a similar problem you have?

[satish_141]

Originally Posted by anees

this....except mine was the front left.

ok then I will get the calipers checked as well..cool...thx

[RajB]

Firstly get the discs checked as that is certainly the most obvious of causes. At the same time the calipers can be checked too. If brakes seem ok then look at the bushes in the control arms as that can cause these symptoms too.

[satish_141]

[QUOTE=Etxp;20751889]I remember when I had my E46 I had a similar problem that only seemed to appear on the motorways. It ended up being the front right calliper was seized and needed replacing. Changed them and all was fine after. Might be a similar problem you have?[/QUOT

mine could be the caliper too, given I changed all pads and discs 4 months ago..but how do I kno which caliper it it? thx

[Rustymage]

Originally Posted by satish_141

mine could be the caliper too, given I changed all pads and discs 4 months ago..but how do I kno which caliper it it? thx

Lift the wheels up and spin them, one will show signs of dragging...If not then it'll be a case of pushing the pistons back in and seeing which one is tough to move...or get a garage to do it for you!

[satish_141]

Originally Posted by RajB

Firstly get the discs checked as that is certainly the most obvious of causes. At the same time the calipers can be checked too. If brakes seem ok then look at the bushes in the control arms as that can cause these symptoms too.

today went to kwikfit paid 24.99 and got a full brake test done, the test came out fine. All discs and pads are all in good shape. The guy said the calipers look fine too. I am really confused what else could be causing this as my tyres have been replaced only 6 8 months ago.

An other ideas please?

[satish_141]

Originally Posted by Rustymage

Lift the wheels up and spin them, one will show signs of dragging...If not then it'll be a case of pushing the pistons back in and seeing which one is tough to move...or get a garage to do it for you!

Kwikfit confirmed calipers are ok...

[E90325iM-SPORT]

£24 99!!!!I bet it would be cheaper to go to dealer

[Etxp]

Originally Posted by satish_141

today went to kwikfit paid 24.99 and got a full brake test done, the test came out fine. All discs and pads are all in good shape. The guy said the calipers look fine too. I am really confused what else could be causing this as my tyres have been replaced only 6 8 months ago.

An other ideas please?

What tests did they do to confirm calipers were ok? Something you could check yourself is if you are on the motorway or for a drive pull into the services after the juddering has been happening, and if a caliper is seized then one of the wheels should be hotter than the other from the constant friction of the brakes.

Something else to consider, in my old car i used to get a juddering/wobble in the steering wheel on a certain journey could never figure out what it was. it only used to happen on a certain stretch of motorway. I figured in the end it was just the road surface was all little humps that was causing the vibration as it was only this certain motorway which would give the problems. Probably not the problem in your case but you never know.

[Chappers 71]

I didn't think Kwikfit charged for a brake check, if you go to there website it says it's free

My local STS put it on there machine & diagnosed driver side front disc out of balance at no charge.

Do you still have the judder? Could it have been down to a poor section of road surface that you happened to be braking on?

[anees]

Easier test on the calipers:

1. Jack the front of the car.
2. Try to rotate each tyre by hand
3. The wheel which doesn't rotate freely has the fooked caliper

[satish_141]

Originally Posted by Etxp

What tests did they do to confirm calipers were ok? Something you could check yourself is if you are on the motorway or for a drive pull into the services after the juddering has been happening, and if a caliper is seized then one of the wheels should be hotter than the other from the constant friction of the brakes.

Something else to consider, in my old car i used to get a juddering/wobble in the steering wheel on a certain journey could never figure out what it was. it only used to happen on a certain stretch of motorway. I figured in the end it was just the road surface was all little humps that was causing the vibration as it was only this certain motorway which would give the problems. Probably not the problem in your case but you never know.

mine could be this too thanks

[satish_141]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

I didn't think Kwikfit charged for a brake check, if you go to there website it says it's free

My local STS put it on there machine & diagnosed driver side front disc out of balance at no charge.

Do you still have the judder? Could it have been down to a poor section of road surface that you happened to be braking on?

this is what I am suspecting. Yes Kwikfit ripped me off