What did you do for your ZHP/ BMW / MINI today? #2

[Avetiso]

Ugh, reminds me how much I need new brushes for my wheels. Looks like they work well! Any info on what brand they are?

[Imola.ZHP]

Hahaha, yup. I think it was this guy...

He looks quite suspect...

[Hermes]

He looks quite suspect...

hahaha...





There's still a lot of dirt in it, I need a few more passes with the Bissell before I'm happy re-installing

[stephenkirsh]

You gonna go for an alignment?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Yes I am.

I can see a slight toe in difference.

I wouldn't have been against an alignment simply because I have no idea how long ago the PO had anything done.

Just did a 80 mile trip on the bushings. Quick analysis: HOLY CRAP!!!

[Stu]

Not a good day :/

I don't know what's wrong with the car.

After installing my aux cable, I went to go for a little drive. At around 74 mph I started hearing a "thump thump thump thump" noise as if there were a flat spot in the tire. It sounded like it came from the rear-left of the car. The car noticeably was vibrating to this sound. When I would touch my brakes, the steering wheel would shake fairly violently.

I freaked out, pulled over and took a look around outside. I didn't see anything unusual. I was worried one of my wheels had come loose, but nothing seemed wrong. Regardless, I put on my hazards and drove home slowly. I figured it might have something to do with the new winter wheel setup I got, so I took the rear-left wheel off, took off the brakes, inspected everything, nothing was wrong. Everything was gutentight. I put the wheel back on and re-torqued it, then went for a drive.

Around 5-10 minutes later, that weird vibration and thunk came back. It was intermittent, it would come and go randomly. I realized that this wasn't putting me in any immediate danger, whatever the noise, so I drove on back home while trying some hard braking tests and whatnot. I heard a squeaky left-side brake at lower speeds.

This time since I felt the vibration really in the steering wheel and some in the brake pedal, I took off the front left wheel and inspected it. I noticed the brake rotor was very, very hot, and the wheel had more dust on it than the front right. In addition, it was harder to spin than the front right, which spun very easily. This indicates a sticking caliper to me, but I do not feel it is very related.

I looked up and around everywhere. No broken suspension components, the wheel seemed solid after shaking it, except for a very minor and small thunk noise if I really really shook it hard (which I would expect). Everything felt and looked solid. So I put it back on the ground and torqued the wheels again.

I am going to take it to Best Motor Werks here in Columbus, they're highly rated. I am going to see if they can diagnose it for me. Anyone have any ideas before I send it on over to them?

[kayger12]

Yes I am.

I can see a slight toe in difference.

I wouldn't have been against an alignment simply because I have no idea how long ago the PO had anything done.

Just did a 80 mile trip on the bushings. Quick analysis: HOLY CRAP!!!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[3ZHP]

Ugh, reminds me how much I need new brushes for my wheels. Looks like they work well! Any info on what brand they are?

The blue thing's nothing special and here's the info on the Boars' Hair Brush.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...+and+handle.do

[Johal E32]

Not a good day :/

I don't know what's wrong with the car.

After installing my aux cable, I went to go for a little drive. At around 74 mph I started hearing a "thump thump thump thump" noise as if there were a flat spot in the tire. It sounded like it came from the rear-left of the car. The car noticeably was vibrating to this sound. When I would touch my brakes, the steering wheel would shake fairly violently.

I freaked out, pulled over and took a look around outside. I didn't see anything unusual. I was worried one of my wheels had come loose, but nothing seemed wrong. Regardless, I put on my hazards and drove home slowly. I figured it might have something to do with the new winter wheel setup I got, so I took the rear-left wheel off, took off the brakes, inspected everything, nothing was wrong. Everything was gutentight. I put the wheel back on and re-torqued it, then went for a drive.

Around 5-10 minutes later, that weird vibration and thunk came back. It was intermittent, it would come and go randomly. I realized that this wasn't putting me in any immediate danger, whatever the noise, so I drove on back home while trying some hard braking tests and whatnot. I heard a squeaky left-side brake at lower speeds.

This time since I felt the vibration really in the steering wheel and some in the brake pedal, I took off the front left wheel and inspected it. I noticed the brake rotor was very, very hot, and the wheel had more dust on it than the front right. In addition, it was harder to spin than the front right, which spun very easily. This indicates a sticking caliper to me, but I do not feel it is very related.

I looked up and around everywhere. No broken suspension components, the wheel seemed solid after shaking it, except for a very minor and small thunk noise if I really really shook it hard (which I would expect). Everything felt and looked solid. So I put it back on the ground and torqued the wheels again.

I am going to take it to Best Motor Werks here in Columbus, they're highly rated. I am going to see if they can diagnose it for me. Anyone have any ideas before I send it on over to them?

Wheel weight?

[Hornung418]

Sorry about your brake troubles, Stukowski. Hope the shop takes care of you.

As for me, I swapped my power pullies onto the ZHP from the 328i.

Sent from my GS3.

[Stu]

Wheel weight?

I'm wondering that too, because the clearance between my calipers and inner wheel is absurdly tight (16" Sport Edition A7). I wouldn't be surprised if some sheered off, but I don't notice any missing. If they are, Tire Rack will cover the bill of re-balancing (happened to my manager, actually).

But, tomorrow I am going to drop it off to the pros and see what their diagnosis is. I am hoping it's nothing expensive. I don't think a sticky caliper can create those noises, but you never know. The salty roads here might have done their magic to make it finally start sticking, particularly after not driving it for a few weeks.

I think the biggest thing for me right now is to not stress over it, because there are far more important things in the world for me to enjoy right now. Sitting here in front of the computer googling stuff is not going to make the problem get fixed any quicker, so damnit I am going to play some 360 :D This is but a minor speed bump and I need to remember that. Anxiety sucks a lot.