Disc Warp!

[gsbiker]

just changed the back one at 15k and it also had a 2nd BMW one with a previous owner before i had it, so would suggest that maybe they are not v good

£70 from James Sherlock plus new bolts and pads makes it about £100, BMW want about £200 for disc and labour alone

would suggest that the rear binds up and overheats the disc thru lack of use and corrosion and its a great big heat sink on the diff an all

strip it yearly at least, only takes 20 mins if you the right torx tools

I'm waiting to see what BMW say. Will chase on Tuesday!

I have my bike yearly serviced by BMW and I distinctively remember them charging me to strip the calipers and clean them up last November which I agreed! That was only a few hundred miles since last service I noticed disc warp! Not blaming them but this is how it is.

 

[Rusty Bolts]

I paid for a brake service from a well known south west BMW dealership and it was against my better judgement I must add. They missed the fact that the rear caliper was siezed on it's slides and they said that a clean around the pistons was not part of the service. I did ask what do I actually get for £35 they said pads out cleaned up and the backs greased with 'neverseize'. they didn't even clean the crud that had accumalated on the carrier and disc holes. A 5 min job to do. I explained what my interpetation of a brake service would include to them and they did come clean (rather ironic) and refunded me. I unsiezed the rear caliper and did the job myself, which is what I should have done in the first palce. Beware of the question 'Can you just check the rear disc as I think it is warped' which, in my experience so far with Honda dealers is normally not specifically charged for. BMW charged me £28 to tell me that the rear disc is warped but within tolerance. A new disc will only cost me £65 from Sherlocks. I am now starting to learn how these main dealers opperate and I now approach servicing with even more fear. At least Honda dealers are competant and honest!

 

[trainman]

assuming you have a skt set and a manual, you will then need a torque wrench (20-80nM) and some long reach torx key sockets (both about £25 each) and thats it, still cheaper than dealer and you have the gear if you need it again

the job takes about an hour, wheel and caliper/spray guard off, disc off, clean mountings an refit it all back on with new

follow manual and tighten new disc bolts in 2 stages and in set sequence, also add a blob of screwlock

change pads as well unless fairly new, in which case find sand them and clean caliper

 

[encompassdrummer]

Bucking Bronco

My GS ADV 09 12000mls, commute 60mls a day motorway then filter in town.

Front brake starting squeeling on application especially low speed

Now I get like a pulsing feel on braking, really scary at low speeds in town, its either full on braking like the old servo brake system, appplication when slowing from motorway speed is fine until you get to about 30mph then you feel it big time

There is no smoothness at all and awfully anoying

Took it to BMW for disc warp check - they said it was fine.

Any other ideas?
Pads are good brakes are clean.

 

[Rusty Bolts]

I don't think you can beat a good brake clean. Appologies if you already know this nad you are now trying to suck eggs.
Strip the front down and give it a good clean with brake clearner and wire brush the pads to de-glaze them. I also noticed when mine did something similar, but no where near as bad as you are describing, that the venting holes in the disc were completly full of brake dust and other 'stuff'. gently poked them through with a pointy thing and that cured the problem. Leave the pistons in the caliper but check that they move freely. They should go back in under thumb pressure. A light grease the pistons with red rubber grease (specific for brakes) helps.Put the pads in with a thin smear of copper or aluminimum grease on the back and you should be good to go.

 

[original_concept]

My GS ADV 09 12000mls, commute 60mls a day motorway then filter in town.

Front brake starting squeeling on application especially low speed

Now I get like a pulsing feel on braking, really scary at low speeds in town, its either full on braking like the old servo brake system, appplication when slowing from motorway speed is fine until you get to about 30mph then you feel it big time

There is no smoothness at all and awfully anoying

Took it to BMW for disc warp check - they said it was fine.

Any other ideas?
Pads are good brakes are clean.

I had low speed brake pulsing a long time ago too. I fixed it by replacing the pads available from Steptoe, been fine ever since.

Or try swapping the pads around within each caliper.

 

[encompassdrummer]

Thanks guys, I am out to the garage now to give them a once over....then its the wife's turn as she's a bit squeeky these days....ha ha

Will update with the resulting ride

 

[seahorse]

My bike has just had both front discs replaced at 12k. This was done by the dealer I bought it from prior to collection so have no experience of symptoms berfore replacement.
I would go along with the disc and pad cleaning routine mentioned previously. Many apparently warped discs just have a variation in disc surface finish which can show up as pulsing/grabbing especially at low speeds. I had some Grimeca pattern discs on my K75 which needed regular de glazing and cleaning of the discs. These discs were not the same material as the OE ones and the problem was worse with certain pads. I have now put new OE ones on and problem gone.
An hour or so spent cleaning up costs nothing so worth a try I reckon.

 

[autogs]

i had repeted rear disc failure on an 08 gsa,whilst under wty i just let them get on with it.when 3rd disc went i suggested that they check the carrier which the disc bolts to for trueness,guess what new carrier and new disc,never had a prob after that.sometimes dealers cant see the wood from the trees.

 

[degsey]

Had my disks and pads replaced by my local BMW dealer this week, Jason Griffith's Motorcycles, at BMW's expense

 

[tw99]

I guess those of you who have had new discs under warranty have been under the 2 year manufacturer or "approved used bike" warranty ?

I've got warpy disc symptoms on a low mileage bike registered in Jan 2008, and the dealer's just told me that the discs aren't covered under the "Insured Warranty". I just checked the small print, and soddit, they're right about that.

Although at least it covered the final drive they've just replaced...

 

[trainman]

yes, i was also told that the used bike BMW warranty does not cover brake discs, so this particular design/material issue will cost you still if you have it

its not as full a warranty as the new bike one

my warranty expires soon, dont think i will renew

changed back disc myself for £100 versus £200 for a BMW job and the replacement one will hopefully last longer than the OEM cheese version

 

[gsbiker]

I'm still waiting for a BMW goodwill decission for this to be fixed. In the meantime it's really annoying when braking at slow speeds. I really like my BM but must admit the low mileage problems you get with these is unbelievable!

 

[julianww]

Warped discs

At around 8k on a long ride back from Syria my 2010 GS1200 started front brake judder, most noticeable at speeds above 50 mph. Dealer checked front discs this week and reported them warped and immediately ordered new for warranty replacement. I am not Mr. Speedy but the big trip was 2 up fully loaded, still a surprise though. Clutch didn't like lots of stop-start riding in Istanbul and I had to stop to let it cool. Otherwise bike was (is) amazing.
Julian.

 

[gsbiker]

Well I've just done a 800 miles trip around Wales and back. Before I went I cleaned my bike and noticed the rear disc had some rust marks on it. I polished the whole disc with a satin scourer so the disc was roughened up both side. This has improved the brake alot. I need to do the front now because the brakes still feel a little snatchy at low speed.

 

[Lord Tak]

Warped Discs

£70ea front discs? Can you advise where from and if seemingly okay? Have 2006 GSA and scraped through MoT yesterday with warning on front disc warp, which I thought was the ABS vibrating the lever! How do I know if I have floating or rigid discs - is it varying with model year, ABS, or other?? Many ta's for any help.

 

[trainman]

james sherlock for one (non OEM stainless i believe), motobins are about £90

 

[D Green]

Brake Pulsing

Hi

I have a 2010 R1200GS and i have this dreaded brake judder,i have taken the bike into the dealers today and they have replaced the rear disc but no pads.

On my way home from the dealer the front brake lever was still pulsing so i turned around and went back,the technician that changed the rear disc then measured the front discs and they were within BMW guide lines so they cannot be changed under warranty! Even though the brakes are pulsing.

So here i have a bike which is 7 months old and 7,500miles on the clock with warped discs but (within BMW spec) so cannot be changed under warranty until they get even worse!!

Disappointed in BMW

 

[Monty]

Hi

I have a 2010 R1200GS and i have this dreaded brake judder,i have taken the bike into the dealers today and they have replaced the rear disc but no pads.

On my way home from the dealer the front brake lever was still pulsing so i turned around and went back,the technician that changed the rear disc then measured the front discs and they were within BMW guide lines so they cannot be changed under warranty! Even though the brakes are pulsing.

So here i have a bike which is 7 months old and 7,500miles on the clock with warped discs but (within BMW spec) so cannot be changed under warranty until they get even worse!!

Disappointed in BMW

Fear not. The same happened with me at a similar mileage. A few spirited rides with some heavy braking or (in my case) a trip round the Alps will soon have them outside of spec and replaced. It is annoying, though, when you can feel the pulsing but the discs are within spec.

My earlier thread... LINKY

Good luck.

Matt

 

[gsbiker]

Hi

I have a 2010 R1200GS and i have this dreaded brake judder,i have taken the bike into the dealers today and they have replaced the rear disc but no pads.

On my way home from the dealer the front brake lever was still pulsing so i turned around and went back,the technician that changed the rear disc then measured the front discs and they were within BMW guide lines so they cannot be changed under warranty! Even though the brakes are pulsing.

So here i have a bike which is 7 months old and 7,500miles on the clock with warped discs but (within BMW spec) so cannot be changed under warranty until they get even worse!!

Disappointed in BMW

Before you wright off your discs try rubbing them down with scouring pad or grit paper. Do both sides of the disc well so the surface of each disc has been scratched up so to speak.

I had problem again recently after my rear disc was apparantly diagnosed as causing the problem. well before my 800 miles Wales trip a couple of weeks ago I cleaned my bike and noticed rusty marks on the rear disc. I used a rough scourer, satin pad, and resurfaced the rear disc both side. The pulsing dissapeared instantly.

I noticed on my trip also that the front brakes seemed to snatch at low speed when braking. I intend to buff them up also.

On another note! I have a worse pulsin problem on my RD350 when the discs warm up. Well I recently changed the chain + sprockets and whilst I was at it I removed the rear disc and polished it on my bench grinder/polishing machine with satin mops. This rescratched the surface. The bike seems to brake much better since then!

So, I wonder if this problem is also caused by glazed discs + pads, not just warped discs?