Warped Brake Rotors at 6K Miles

[gbagen]

Has anyone else had this problem? Dealer says that BMW considers them "wear items" and won't cover them under warranty. Sounds like BS to me.

[bobw]

That is a B.S. reply. I have on my Triumph and I know guys with the new Kaw Connie 14's had some replaced under warranty too. I could understand their denial if your pads were worn out and the rotors were damaged by negligent care, but simple warping is a different situation. I know some 06 K bikes had a recall for thicker rotors to be installed and there is a rider, "Bueller"(98% positive on that name ), on ADVrider that had BMW take his R12rt back due to multiple problems with rotors. I believe he works at a mc shop and has owned several BMW's and now is on a FJR. If no help here, I would go on ADV and pm him for details.

Good luck.

[Cosmic-Rider]

Warped rotors with 6K? I agree with bobw, if it were a brake pad issue. But rotors are a different story. Bad rotors can become a serious safety issue. If your dealer doesn't want to help you, maybe you should contact BMWNA or even seek legal advise. Something just doesn't sound right.
Good Luck
please, keep us informed
Ride Safe

[deilenberger]

What year? There is an SIB (Service Information Bulletin) for the '07's that is about "warped rotors" - and the dealer is supposed to replace the rotors once. If the problem returns - it's the machined surface on the rim itself, then the dealer is supposed to replace both the rotors and the wheel.

Ask your dealer to show you his SIB book (most dealers keep a looseleaf book of them) - and browse through it.

EDIT - BTW - what dealer is telling you the BS?

[Bill Stevenson]

My bike is behaving as though there is a slight warp now too, but mine is a 2008. Based on Don's information it seems like a trip to the dealer is in order.

Thanks,

Bill

[hammick]

Has anyone else had this problem? Dealer says that BMW considers them "wear items" and won't cover them under warranty. Sounds like BS to me.

That's crap. Sounds like the exact same issue they were having with the R1200RT and some other hexhead bikes. My '05 had warped rotors which would cause a vibration under braking. I received a new front wheel and rotors under warranty. It was a front wheel issue and I believe there was a service bulletin on it. Check this to start your research:

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/u ... 7&page=all

and here:

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40645

When I sold my bike the paperwork went with it or I would scan it and email it to you. The dealer that did the work under warranty was Engle Motors in Kansas City. Good luck.

[deilenberger]

Good info - along with two SIB numbers addressing this problem:

http://www.ebbo.org/front_brake_fix.php

Let us know what the dealer sez when you hand him the SIB numbers.. it's always fun to watch their faces when their bluff is called.

[Dale_K]

I had warped rotors and a warped wheel on a previous BMW and the procedure at that time was it needed to be reported within the first 4k miles and then it was covered. Seems like if they have a known issue on the 12R as Don says you should be covered anyway.

[hammick]

I had warped rotors and a warped wheel on a previous BMW and the procedure at that time was it needed to be reported within the first 4k miles and then it was covered. Seems like if they have a known issue on the 12R as Don says you should be covered anyway.

My bike had 13k miles on it when it was fixed under warranty and I was not the original owner.

[gbagen]

Dealer called. Rotors being replaced under warranty. "They fought with BMW for me." Right. I have a feeling it was my input from this group, forcefully presented, that made them come clean. Thanks, guys.

Greg

[bobw]

"Great" Customer Service. Glad it's sorted.

Safe travels!

[1flybye]

I'm having that issue, does anyone have the service bulletin # for 2008 models?
My dealer says no on the warranty

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

Just another idea for those having pulsing brake issues. I had an '05 GS that pulsed very badly. Went on an Alaska trip and took spare pads just in case. About a week into the trip I was ready to call a maintenance day cause the brakes were so bad. That day turned out very rainy, so we kept riding. By the end of the day the brakes were totally smooth, and remained so. Perhaps your brake pulsing is just junk on the discs and pads. You might try a clean up to see if the problem goes away.

[iowabeakster]

I don't know anything about the R12R's brake rotors in particular. They could cerntainly could be bad. But I think the above poster is probably on track.

Uneven deposits on the rotors from the brake pads will cause a pulse/vibration that many people interpret as warped rotors. The deposits are usually invisible.

When putting on new rotors and/or brake pads, make sure proper break-in is done. Otherwise, uneven deposits are very likely.

The above poster alluded to one way of scrubbing them if they have have uneven deposits... heavy braking in heavy rain. The other is a light sand paper job. I've had a terrible time with this issue on my new(ish) Subaru. I finally decided that the stock pads cannot take the heat that I subject them to. One hard day of work... and I have what feels like "warped rotors". They were not warped at all. I'm trying some "high performance" pads now... so far so good.