front end wobble under braking?

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JohnnyThunders
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:57 pm

Just noticed when i brake i have a little steering wheel wobble! Doesnt seeem too serious but i dunno... Any ideas? Its only a gentle wobble and it seems to be caused by the front wheels.
Oh while im on the subject the third red light (the one after the park brake light) is lighting up (sometimes). Is this to tell me my brakes are fekked? Sorry for being technically thick but i aint no mechanic.
Any help appreciated as i am sort of teaching myself a little mechanics/tomfoolery on this car so i am prepared to get my hands dirty trying to sort things myself.
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maxfield
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:58 pm

Warped disks?
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Chris-W
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 5:09 pm

Discs if it's felt through the pedal, if not look at the front control arm bushes.
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JohnnyThunders
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:31 pm

Chris-W wrote:Discs if it's felt through the pedal, if not look at the front control arm bushes.
Thanks again Chris (third time you have helped me out on here - its appreciated mate.), i checked the discs and yea, they are caned, checked at EBC direct and i can get 2 standard discs delivered for £50.00, is this a decent enough price? There are some on dodgebay for as little as £15 notes but i don't fancy trusting my daughters life on those. Are EBC standard discs ok?
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Chris-W
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:51 pm

Try Eurocarparts - standard ATE discs they supply are fine.
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Jay07
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:12 pm

AmoungST all else going on im getting the same problem, its really quite bad now! To the point where i hate breaking. I can feel the wobble in the pedal and in the motion of the car. I was thinking that the discs could be warped because when i hold the break i can feel it make contact then release, make contact then release without moving releasing the pedal!! :eek:

I am not like my car at the mo!!! :cry:
Jay07
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:19 pm

Come to think of it! the discs have probably been like that since i got the car!!! I just thought that since it was an old car i shouldnt expect it to break smoothly... dumb maybe but i really didnt know what to expect realistically from this car.. :?
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Brianmoooore
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:59 pm

Jay07 wrote:... dumb maybe but i really didnt know what to expect realistically from this car.. :?
You should expect everything about the whole car (except remote headlamp adjusters, if you have them) to operate and function exactly as it did when it left the factory.
It says BMW on the badge!
Jay07
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:09 pm

You should expect everything about the whole car (except remote headlamp adjusters, if you have them) to operate and function exactly as it did when it left the factory.
It says BMW on the badge!
So Im learning Brian, thanks to the likes of you and glad for it! :) I have a lot of respect for this car and i'd love to get it driving the way its supposed to... somedays like today that feels along way away. Never the less that is my mission. Ive done the auto-box, torque coverter, as you know im working on the engine now... the breaks have been a continuous issue! I'll get there... So the disc's it is!!!! :?

Remote headlamp adjusters? no not yet winkeye
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irish-e30
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:14 pm

i had a similar problem, the light is either from brakes worn down or the sensor gone, or it could be the control arm bushes, or even the rubber disc on the lower joint steering assembly beginning to wear down! its the assembly between the steering column and steering rack, there will be a cup like plate (protection plate) which holds the universal joint (rubber bit). Mine was the same until eventually it got worse, causing a wobble in the steering wheel all the time, getting progressively worse on hitting a bump or while braking!!
Im no expert but just had a similar experience! if you get down under the car with a light you can see the rubber cones (bushes) on the joints, they could also be worn down or cracked.....when they are it may look fairly obvious
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Brianmoooore
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:28 pm

irish-e30 wrote:, or even the rubber disc on the lower joint steering assembly beginning to wear down! its the assembly between the steering column and steering rack, there will be a cup like plate (protection plate) which holds the universal joint (rubber bit). Mine was the same until eventually it got worse, causing a wobble in the steering wheel all the time, getting progressively worse on hitting a bump or while braking!!
Mmmm! Put a couple of hundred miles on my wife's touring today, and noticed that hers vibrates and shudders from pot holes and braking a lot worse than mine.
Discs are OK (not vibrating through the pedal, anyway), and fairly sure that the control arm bushes are passable.
Might have a look at that steering coupling tomorrow!
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irish-e30
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:35 pm

Yeh brian, thats how it started with mine, a bit of a shudder in the steering, nothing unbearable but noticed more on braking or hitting a dip or bump in the road, it would just pull a wee bit to the left or right then come back in line again. parts were approx 40£ or less. got them from bmw rather than europarts as they didnt have all the components....it may be the hollow tube that sits in the universal joint...it was real badly messed up!!

yeh i figured if hes getting vibration thru the pedal its the brakes more than the issue i had!...Brian how many BM's have u got?? the whole family must be drivin them....good man!! winkeye
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Cava
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:41 pm

Apart from the million to one chance of a warped hub (search for my previous story!), one thing to bear in mind when it comes to discs warping is that most e30 calipers are probably up to retirement age without any recondition or overhaul. Check these carefully before installing new discs!
Jay07
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:48 pm

Im trying to concentrate on the engine but im getting all sorts of heavy knocking sounds on break release! Its a head feck im gona have to deal with Soon! It does happen all the time but between that and the juddering!! it plays on my mind big time! i assume i'll need about 100 squids to change disks drums and pads, thats without paying someone to do it. Are standard stuff fine or is there an an upgrade that'll make the difference? I just want smooth breaking to be honest?? :?
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Brianmoooore
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:50 pm

irish-e30 wrote:Brian how many BM's have u got?? the whole family must be drivin them....good man!! winkeye
About seven or eight that are ever likely to go on the road again, excluding breakers.
Only two are usually taxed, tested and insured at any one time though.
A couple more are more or less complete, and the others in various states of restoration.
Don't spread it around, but I've just bought an '01 Peugeot 106 for 16 5/6 year old daughter (insurance reasons, until a bit of no claims is built up).
What a cr**py piece of s**t it is. Just confirms hoe superior BMW engineering is!
19 years newer than my E30s - So much for evolution of the car! I certainly can't see any!
JohnnyThunders
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Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:56 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:So much for evolution of the car! I certainly can't see any!
Its the igloo look- its all the rage in the noughties.
I prefer neat boxes, e30s or old Fords (esc cort)
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Jay07
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Sat Apr 14, 2007 12:21 am

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E30-316-318-3 ... dZViewItem

Are these any good for and 87' 3.20i??
Cava
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Sat Apr 14, 2007 12:26 am

Not 100% sure on these, but you could probably get a set of ATE power discs (which are very good) from euro car parts cheaper when you consider the postage charge as well.
JohnnyThunders
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Sat Apr 14, 2007 12:47 am

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecommerce/Basket.asp?V=2

Yeah personally i'm ordering mine here ^
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Jay07
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Sat Apr 14, 2007 12:56 am

Nice 1 ladz! :D Ive got a local guy who will do me a good deal on the same thing!! Sorted!
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pnd
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Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:47 am

wheel wobble is often caused by out of balance wheels get these checked before discs and wishbone bushes are dealt with, and Brian Moore is right these cars should drive without fault the fact that most don't is due to lack of/poor maintenance.
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