Disc Brake Rotor Rattles

[Mark]

Is it on all our bikes or has this one got a problem?

If I hold either of the front disc rotors (if that is the correct name for the brake disc) I can move them. Not by much but they do move and make a metallic rattling noise. To be more correct it is a clunk clunk as I move it back and forth.
In the past I have noticed that when I ride into a driveway over the gutter, there is a noise like a one hit rattle. Almost like something was loose. Can't find anything else on the front end that could be causing it other than the discs.
Also, when parking the bike, I notice that when I pull up under brakes rolling forward and then roll backwards and apply the front brake there is a clunk (not a loud one but noticeable). I suspect this is the play in the disc taking up as the rotational direction reverses.

So, does anyone else have this experience?

Can anyone else rattle their front discs?

I understand these are called "floating" discs but this seems loose not floating.

My wife's F800ST has similar discs and they do not have these characteristics.

Any thoughts?

[Cosmic-Rider]

They are floating discs. But, are you talking about a R1200R? I ask because my '07 R1200R has solid discs. In the past, I've owned an R1100R and an R1150RT. The R1100R has floating discs and I think the RT did also. Can't quite remember.

[Mark]

Sorry - I should have included bike details.

My ride is a 2007 R1200R.

[bobw]

Hey! Mark, I have a 2007 and just went to the garage to double check the front end. There is zero movement nor sound in the discs. Their solid mounting and lack of "buttons" like floating brake rotors are made with make your easily repeated observation a safety issue to be corrected IMO. Have they ever been off for a warranty replacement or ? I would check if they are tourqued properly and then let the dealer know what you found.

Safe travels.

[deilenberger]

There was some sort of SIB or factory bulletin on some '07 R12R's for exactly this problem. The dealer should know about it (or at least try looking it up..) the fix was to replace the wheel and rotors.

[Mark]

Just spoke to my service guys and they have booked the bike in for a fix on Friday.
Interesting comment from the service manager - "Ah yes - I know what that is. Bring it in."
Didn't elaborate on it.

My bike has only gone 5,000 km and has been in the shop only for the 1000km first run in service. To my knowledge the front wheel and/or the discs have not been off or even touched.

If this is a known issue, even if it is not a safety issue, shouldn't they notify owners?
Had I not noticed this it could have gone untreated indeffinitely (or until the next service when it gets fixed and I am none the wiser).

I'll get more info and post it after the fix is done on Friday.

[Mark]

OK - took the bike into the dealer this morning to have the discs checked.
Two hours later - just spoke to the head of the service department.

The discs are normal. He has not only checked other bikes on the floor of the showroom but also checked with BMW Australia and they support the diagnosis. These are floating discs and they should have up to 0.5mm of movement.

I'm still not so certain.

Can anyone else confirm for me if there discs move, even a little, even 0.5 mm?
I can make my discs click / clunk back and forth. They are not loose as such in that if I tap them they would rattle but they do have some play in the assembly.

If this is normal, then no big deal. If it is not, I'd like to know.

[philm35]

I recently noticed on my 2004 R1150RA, the front left rotor floats pretty loosely... seems like more than 2mm of play. The right rotor is mounted solidly. That doesn't seem right to me.

--Phil

[creamora]

[quote="Mark"]Can anyone else confirm for me if there discs move, even a little, even 0.5 mm?quote]

My 2009 R1200R (assembled 09/2008 - 2,600 miles) has that .5mm of disc wiggle and no squeak or rattle. On mine, there are very thin stainless star washers on each side of the disc for each lug. You can see them move inside the gap when you tug on the disc. Seems OEM spec and I do not recall any braking noise issues before she was put into hibernation for winter.

There was some sort of SIB or factory bulletin on some '07 R12R's for exactly this problem. The dealer should know about it (or at least try looking it up..) the fix was to replace the wheel and rotors.
Did the dealer confirm the '07 wheel replacement noted by Don?

You have to get your head right with it before too many miles go by. Keep investigating if you feel out of your comfort zone riding those brakes.

[dbrick]

The disks on my 2007 R1200R don't move at all. By comparison, the disks on my just-sold R1100RSL were floaters, and had some movement.