zeitgeist57 Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 My '95 BMW 318i has been recently dragging: after it's sat for a few days, or after it's been driving on the highway for a bit, it doesn't coast well. It rolls to a stop quickly and sits at a light with very little brake pedal to hold it. I thought it might've been a front wheel bearing (I just replaced the rears) but yesterday I jacked up the front wheels and tested. Bearings seemed to be in great shape, and the wheels rolled very well. I jacked up one side of the rear wheels, and it didn't spin very well...but then I realized it was probably the LSD since the other side was on the ground. There was no brake dragging. This morning, I got to work and in the parking garage it was definitely doing it again. I touched both rotors on the drivers' side and they were warm to the touch but not too hot. I touched the passenger-side front rotor and it was so hot it burnt the skin on the tip of my finger. I replaced the brake pads and rotors maybe a year ago and only did a few thousand miles since then. The wear on the rotors seems somewhat consistent. Admittedly, I haven't flushed the brake fluid in a few years. Should I start with power-bleeding? I have more than enough ATE 200 fluid from a guy at CC&C. Should I replace the brake lines with braided SS at each wheel for good measure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99StockGT Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Most important question, how's you wittle finger tip? Are you able to get someone to work the brakes while you're under to see the travel? Should be able to see if something isn't pulling back or releasing properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdhill Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 caliper? my e46 had a caliper that dragged Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVE-O Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 I am actually a little happy you burned your finger clay that will teach you , take you brakes apart and compress the calipers and make sure they are not sticking, also check and make sure you calipers are actually sliding and one of the slides/bolts is not seized Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted August 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Most important question, how's you wittle finger tip? http://i.imgur.com/apOcCvzm.jpg Serves me right. Thanks, guys. I'll bleed the brakes anyway, will caliper the pistons again as part of it to make sure they're sliding fine (did it before when I swapped out the pads). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Bastard Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 I would have a look at the rubber hoses while you are in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99StockGT Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Yep you're on the right track, check to make sure its actuating correctly then work your way backwards to the hose and on we go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.