Front Brake Disc "Noise"

[BMWRich58]

My front brake rotor has started the notorious "rattle" when going over bumpy roads.

I know for a fact that on the "rotor's" of K-bikes and oil heads, the rotor "buttons" can be removed and replaced, eliminating the "play", rattle noise.

Now on my GS (a '92),I look at the rotor and buttons, and see that the rotor appears to be "riveted" on.
So my question is,can I also replace these "buttons" on the rotor or do I need to buy a whole new rotor replacement? Thanks!

[lkchris]

It's not a floating rotor.

Most likely "noise' is coming from something else.

Grab things and try to move them to find out what's loose.

[BMWRich58]

It's not a floating rotor.

Grab things and try to move them to find out what's loose.

That's exactly how I found out it IS the rotor... :brow

But the question still stands...can the "buttons" be replaced, or do I chalk it up to installing new rotor...???...

[lkchris]

Well, OEM rotors are indeed riveted together, and I've never heard of the rivets loosening. If they do, it's a new rotor.

I'd question whether this is an aftermarket part rather than OEM.

You probably do have the option of fitting a floating-style rotor, EBC, for example, and it could very well prove less expensive than the OE part.

[lorazepam]

Kbasa has an excellent illustrated guide to changing the buttons on the rotors, if yours is the same. Use the search function and I bet you can locate it. Try http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=573&highlight=rotor+buttons

[lkchris]

Kbasa has an excellent illustrated guide to changing the buttons on the rotors, if yours is the same. Use the search function and I bet you can locate it. Try http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=573&highlight=rotor+buttons

You've referenced an OILHEAD procedure NOT applicable to an AIRHEAD GS.

[lorazepam]

Hell, I was just happy to have remembered it. :huh

[manicmechanic]

Hey, loraz, the memory is the second thing to go. I forget what the first is.

[BMWRich58]

Hell, I was just happy to have remembered it.

Hey, loraz, the memory is the second thing to go. I forget what the first is.

:lol :bliss :bliss :bliss :bliss :bliss :bliss :bliss :bliss :bliss :bliss

I think I just wet my self................


OTOH......spoke to a BM' wrench ta-day.... and he says "Nope" no fixie!!!
Gotta buy a new setup or send off to Speigler for a fix,"Oh well"$$$$$$

[ODIN]

Hi,

I used to be bugged by a front end rattle too. Id hear it when hitting a bump or going over rough ground, but when the front breaks were applied...no rattle. (1995 r1100gsa)

Turned out to be that i had the brake pads replaced with non bmw pads once.

It seems that the aftermarket brake pads dont come with anti rattle clips, like the bmw pads do.

Last pad change i had bmw pads put in again. Lo and behold the rattle went away.

Odin

[BMWRich58]

Hi Odin....welcome to the ZOO!!!!

Yea,had that problem before with aftermarket pads,but my rotor buttons are worn. The disc is riveted but there is also buttons like on the oilheads.

Bought a slightly used one for my bike (airhead GS) and you can feel and see the difference. I can get the old one rebuilt by Speigler in Ohio for about a "c" note. Just haven't been motivated enough to remove the old one and send it in for repairs.
Oh well,now that I'm down to one bike,and currently it sits in the garage all apart, maybe I'll get some things put back together for the BMW Club ride this weekend.

[pmdave]

Sounds like you have EBC (aftermarket) rotors. They have "buttons" that allow some float. I've run them on different front wheels for many miles, with no problem other than some slight surging under hard braking, caused by slight differences in thickness around the rotors. I've never had the buttons loosen up. IMHO the EBCs are better and cheaper than stock BMW parts.

I don't know whether the EBC buttons are the same as the BMW oilhead or K rotor buttons. You might remove one and take it to your BMW dealer for a comparison. Or, perhaps your dealer could obtain a replacement set of EBC buttons. Note that with floating rotors there are usually four or so that are different than the others.

It's normal for floating rotors to move sideways slightly, but if they wiggle front-to-back, that means the buttons are worn out.

When installing brake pads other than BMW, use the BMW retainer springs. And, if the pads squeal, you can apply a little automotive anti-squeal lubricant on the back side at the contact points. (on the metal part--not the friction surface, just to be clear)

pmdave

[pmdave]

BTW, I trust everyone knows that with the old ATE calipers (pre-1981 or so) you have to align the calipers after installing brake pads. And after a bit of wear, it's a good idea to align them anyway.

Unscrew those large covers at the ends of the caliper support brackets. Out pops a spring, too. Peer in there with a flashlight and you'll see a slot in the end of the shaft that holds the caliper in place. Squat down and shine your flashlight up between the rotor and caliper, squeeze the brake lever lightly, and turn the shaft with a large screwdriver until the fixed pad (on the wheel side) makes best contact with the rotor. The moving pad will align itself (more or less)

With the wheel off the ground, rotate the wheel and apply and release the front brake. If the calipers are aligned correctly, the wheel should stop smoothly, and with the lever released there should be no drag.

Screw those caps back on (hey, don't cross thread those babies!) and you're done.

Well, except for checking wheel bearings. If the bearings are sloppy, none of your brake caliper alignment is going to mean anything. So, check the bearings before anything else.

pmdave

[ODIN]

Hi Odin....welcome to the ZOO!!!!

Thanks Rich. Is this where the wild animals roam free? haha.

I was down your way a few weeks ago. Saw blues performer Lonnie Brooks play in a bar in the town of Sandwich. Good show.

Good luck with your brake problem.

Odin

[ODIN]

When installing brake pads other than BMW, use the BMW retainer springs. And, if the pads squeal, you can apply a little automotive anti-squeal lubricant on the back side at the contact points. (on the metal part--not the friction surface, just to be clear) pmdave

I thought the anti rattle clips were attached to the pad itself. I cant say for sure, as i didnt do the work myself, but ive heard guys talk about drilling the rivit out of the worn out bmw pads (to remove the anti rattle clip), and pop riviting the anti rattle clips onto the aftermarket pad.

Ive never had much luck with that anti squeal brake pad stuff, at least as it was used on an old honda i once had. The pads on the GS dont squeal, so i dont worry about that.

Odin

[BMWRich58]

Thanks Rich. Is this where the wild animals roam free? haha.

I was down your way a few weeks ago. Saw blues performer Lonnie Brooks play in a bar in the town of Sandwich. Good show.

Good luck with your brake problem.

Odin


You was in Sam'ich, Illi noize...???...

......ooo weee,that's some cornfield little town that is.... :D :D :D

Yes sir...Lonnie Brooks and Blues Muzic!!! :clap :clap

Actually,I'm 'bout 30 miles straight south of the Windy City,, :brow

Know some peoples up-dar in Mini-soda...
Might you know T-Roe,the owner of Betty's Bikes N Bun's..??...

[ODIN]

Yeah, Had dinner in that old train-car/resturant in town, heard some good blues, and drove through lots of corn fields.

Was at Kankakee about 6 years ago for Astrofest too (astronomy event), a little too close to chicago for really dark skies, but found some interesting fossile imbedded rocks down along the shore of the kankakee river.

I know where Bettys is, never been in there though. Cant say i know the person you mentioned.

Odin