Re-Re-Occurring Rotor Warpage

[elemental]

In the recent months trying to get this gremlin of warping front right rotor, I have gone through and replaced a few components that have been in need, the car has 187,000 miles on it..

Wheel Bearing’s
Rotor’s
Caliper’s
Pad’s
Brake Line’s
Control Arm Bushing’s
Tie Rod End’s
Ball Joint’s

I thought it was a sticky caliper that was causing it all but even after all of the above, I am still warping the wang out of the Front right Rotor, It seems that like every time I go on a road trip it will warp the shit out of it, could the master cylinder not be releasing the pressure all the way on that side? I had noticed that after the fresh rotors’ caliper’s and pad’s the front right still had a Squeaking noise that got closer together the faster I went and went away with any pressure on the brakes, I have noticed that the vibration in the front right changes with direction of turning while braking .. Well it is backed to being warped and shitty

[Jon '92 325ic]

is your air duct in place?

Is your brake duct in place? I had a recurring rotor warping problem once. Then a buddy pointed out that I didn't have the air duct that goes from the front spoiler to the front wheel well. It's supposed to channel air to help cool the brakes. I never noticed it and didn't think it was a big deal. But then I remembered it was that wheel that had the warped rotor. Replaced the air duct and haven't had any warping since. Hopefully this is what's wrong with your car, because it's a very cheap fix.

[e30Matt]

Just curious, are you torquing your wheel bolts when they're reinstalled or just zipping them on there?

I've heard of many problems with rotors warping when people don't torque all of their lug bolts the same amount.

[elemental]

I NEVER put a wheel back on with a impact gun Yes i allways cross torque them, and no i dont have any brake ducting it looks like it got riped out long ago?,... might have to fab something up.. I am going to check the runout on the hub to see if it may be bent or, not seated all the way on the spindle.. but I still think something is causing the front right to drag yet there is no pull while driving, not sure what is going on :?: well thanks for the input

[grlaneriejr]

have you checked your back brakes? if they don't work, they will cause the fronts to overheat and warp on you (most front brake probs are caused by the rears).

if not that, check the caliper mounting on that side. could be the bolt that it slides on is bent a little bit.

hope this helps.

[Jordan]

I was having alot of issues with brake fade, and soon I warped my first set of rotors right quick on a mountain run. I replaced the rotors and got the stock brake ducting pieces in place on my car. No issues yet, and I have to try quite some bit harder to get fade.

[jtuner]

Are the rear disks supposed to work when you hit the brakes? I thought they were just for the parking brakes??
Anyhoo, i don't think mine work if that's the case, i locked up my brakes to avoid a deer the other day and the skid was only 2 wheels... Maybe this is my warping problem too...

[nando]

all 4 brakes are supposed to work.. if only your fronts work then you have some serious issues, although your fronts will lock up before the rears will (if you don't have ABS).

[dgspikes]

Are the rear disks supposed to work when you hit the brakes? I thought they were just for the parking brakes??
Anyhoo, i don't think mine work if that's the case, i locked up my brakes to avoid a deer the other day and the skid was only 2 wheels... Maybe this is my warping problem too...

your taste in your car is equivalent to your knowledge of it.

[grlaneriejr]

your back brakes need to work with your fronts. that's why it's called the braking system.

if your back brakes don't work, or are adjusted wrong, this will cause your front brakes to be overworked, leading to warped rotors.

[jtuner]

dgspikes, a message forum is usually to help people with issues if they're not as informed as others... I wouldn't think that everyone on the forum has such vast and superior knowledge such as yourself.. quit bein an asshole and don't say anything unless you can contribute help or an answer... jerkoffs like you make the people that are really new to this sport scared to post questions... :evil:

Everyone else that HELPED.. thank you, and i'll have to look furthur in to my braking issues...

[jblack]

Just so you know....there are 4 working discs on your car. The rear discs have drums integrated into them to be used as parking brakes. Maybe that is where you heard the rear brake/emergency brake thing. The drums are used only for parking, the discs are for stopping the car. This does not apply to early 318s with disc/drum setups.

[dgspikes]

yeah, your right. i have no beef with the amount of knowledge one has about the mechanics of their car, but you'll realize after seeing more and more cars in this forum that have been tastefully modded, that you've made yours look like a modded civic on a tight budget.....i look back now and am so glad i didnt do certain mods or get some of the things i had planned for the car.... ie- diy angel eyes, eyebrows, ebay body kits/rims... but every person can have their own style, and it has to look good in their eyes or they wouldnt have done it. maybe modding is an aqcuired skill for some who are new to an e30 or any specific car for that matter. its good to see that your into your car and modding it though.

[sschin]

Is your bolt that mounts the Caliper too tight? or torque to spec?

Mine was way too tight when i bought it because the previous owner got it done and they over torqued it and then the rotors warped really bad... i changed the rotors and then tightened the Caliper bolt to spec and no problems since...

Hope this helps

[jtuner]

Yeah I agree the white 18s make it look like a modded civic.. but that would be the reason why I sold them... I'm not in to ricey beemers, that just happens to be the only pic i have of the car so far... i'm gonna go take some new pics tomorrow with the bottlecaps on it so I can stop dealin with these type of posts... As far as any other modding done to my car, it's relatively non-existant so far... I've put on a hartge strut bar, but thats it :( So anyhoo, thanks for being man enough to call yourself, and not continue with the attitude... good luck with your bimmer man, and i'll keep posting pics of mine as soon as i get stuff done to it lol