E87 Brake nightmare

[Jacko 2157]

Got all four rotors and pads replaced roughly a month ago, Mintex Pads and Brembo rotors, within roughly two weeks of driving they went through a squeeky phase, then quickly from a little bit warped/unevenly warn to a warped to hell phase that was not very nice to drive. The usual steering wheel shake etc. 

Mechanic who replaced them initially replaced the rotors and disks again under warranty. I suspect he over torqued the wheels, although he says he used a torque wrench and not a rattle gun, im very dubious about that (the apprentice marks on the wheels say otherwise...). This second time they were replaced, he forgot to tighten the RH Front caliper bolts, which left me on the side of road in Ngaruawahia with a front caliper flopping around.... Mechanic is very apologetic about both these things happening.

Roll forward two weeks, and I have squeeky brakes again, and the tell tale signs of the rotors beginning to warp again

Both sets of rotors/pads are being broken in correctly. I drive them energetically on B roads most days, but nothing silly, Ive never had them fade on me for instance. Nor did I have any issue with the original rotors/pads which probably had 70k+ on them.

Whats going on? Any ideas? This is getting very annoying, and costing me time off work to fix (even under warranty!)

Edited June 15, 2017 by Jacko

[*Glenn* 854]

The compatibility of the components are most likely wrong, causing high temperatures and warping the discs. I suggest starting again using the right parts. This is why we only use ATE German components that won't give you problems.

BTW: The loose caliper had the potential to kill someone. Blue thread lock should have also been used.

Edited June 14, 2017 by *Glenn*

[Olaf 3321]

It's interesting that people buy or choose Brembo rotors on the basis they'll be good (seen as a premium brand after the fitment of those coloured callipers to Ducati, Holden HSV etc. for the last 20 years or so...), though they're not an OEM supplier to BMW, and (according to BNT) most Brembo rotors are made in China, so no better than any other vanilla aftermarket equivalent part!

@Jacko Is your workshop a specialist independent?

Edited June 14, 2017 by Olaf
punctuation

[Jacko 2157]

15 hours ago, *Glenn* said:

The compatibility of the components are most likely wrong, causing high temperatures and warping the discs. I suggest starting again using the right parts. This is why we only use ATE German components that won't give you problems.

BTW: The loose caliper had the potential to kill someone. Blue thread lock should have also been used.

Trust me, next time its coming to you

I got it wrong in first post, Mintex pads and Brembo rotors. Have you heard of some sort of incompatibility between these before? I imagine its a pretty common setup.

Yeah, was very lucky i heard the top bolt come out in an awesome thunk, slowed down with handbrake. Lower bolt had a couple of threads remaining before entire caliper was being held in by the brake line and wear sensor, then it would have got really interesting... He blamed his apprentice. 

[Jacko 2157]

14 hours ago, Olaf said:

It's interesting that people buy or choose Brembo rotors on the basis they'll be good (seen as a premium brand after the fitment of those coloured callipers to Ducati, Holden HSV etc. for the last 20 years or so...), though they're not an OEM supplier to BMW, and (according to BNT) most Brembo rotors are made in China, so no better than any other vanilla aftermarket equivalent part!

@Jacko Is your workshop a specialist independent?

Like most products, where they are manufactured makes little difference, one would assume that a well known brand like Brembo has some pretty strict QA standards wherever they are getting made. Boeings are made in China too!

Yeh claims to be an independent specialist, not that that really means much. I know him from years ago, and he has just recently started his own business (like myself) so I gave him some work 

[Olaf 3321]

9 minutes ago, Jacko said:

Like most products, where they are manufactured makes little difference, one would assume that a well known brand like Brembo has some pretty strict QA standards wherever they are getting made.

Yep.  You're right.  Sounds like those made to high standards probably manufactured in china parts are working out really well.  

[*Glenn* 854]

8 hours ago, Jacko said:

Yeah, was very lucky i heard the top bolt come out in an awesome thunk, slowed down with handbrake. Lower bolt had a couple of threads remaining before entire caliper was being held in by the brake line and wear sensor, then it would have got really interesting... He blamed his apprentice. 

Your very lucky it was the top bolt that came out first, otherwise you could have ended up on the wrong side of the road playing dodgems. How is he now going to help you with this Chris ? Get in touch, I should be able to help you with this.

[NZ BMW 368]

If a person blames the apprentice, what does that say about: 

A. Their attitude towards looking after their team and now throwing them under the bus?

B. How closely they are checking on and/or mentoring the apprentice?

I had an instance where a guy fobbed something off on the apprentice, I mentioned to him that it was his apprentice and his name was on the building. You can't have it both ways. 

[*Glenn* 854]

I totally agree with you here 100%

[Jacko 2157]

Yeah totally agree as well, was a cop out. Part of being the boss is manning up and taking the hit, its why you get paid the big bucks. 

Im getting very ho hum responses from mechanic now, hes obviously pretty over it as well. "What sort of squealing? High pitched?". Its F*&K*)(D squealing that what sort of squealing  . I can live with the odd squeal, its the shaking steering wheel when theyre warm that annoys me.

CGA is very vague about what my next options are, and he isnt MTA, so that no use. I might try just ask for a refund of the brake parts and labour, and see what he says, he is more than welcome to have the parts back and can then deal with his supplier...

[Jacko 2157]

15 hours ago, *Glenn* said:

Your very lucky it was the top bolt that came out first, otherwise you could have ended up on the wrong side of the road playing dodgems. How is he now going to help you with this Chris ? Get in touch, I should be able to help you with this.

Cheers Glenn, ill try sort out a time to bring it around and make it your problem ( ) , at the moment im only in Auckland in the evenings and its a bit of a nightmare to arrange.

[Olaf 3321]

I only just read the bit about blaming the apprentice.  "oh, well, that's okay then mate".  Not.  Does he kick the dog as well?  As Nathan says, it's his name above the door, and he's responsible for directing and checking the work of his apprentice.  Not worth dealing with.  

You might consider writing a letter to Mr blame-the-apprentice, detailing your experiences and discussions to date, state you're unhappy with his actions to remedy, ask for your money back.

Meanwhile get it done by someone who knows what they're doing... like Glenn!  Yes you're paying twice, but you can chalk it up to experience.  You can always take Mr blame-the-apprentice to small claims, if you can be bothered spending the time.  At least you have the letter if you need material.

Brakes no. 1 safety item, get em sorted.

HTH