Hello all, Looking for input and suggestions regarding a brake judder issue I have. I picked the bike up last year with 750miles on the clock and used it extensively though the summer, I'm unsure as to when the judder began to happen, these things probably just creep up on you. I took the the bike to Ducati Manchester for its 12month service in October and on their test ride, the mechanic noticed the judder and put it down to the missing split pin on one of the callipers and replaced it... The judder was still there. I have a new set of EBC pads I have yet to install but I have tried a few things to try and remedy it firstly such as, removed pads and cleaned and scuffed them, clean and scuff the discs, penetrating oil on the bobbins but none of that worked. I then worked on the theory the disc/discs could be warped! I cable tied the front brake lever to apply just enough constant pressure and allow me to rotate the front wheel and there is a definite and consistent grabbing point, I haven't taken the wheel or discs off to check with a straight edge as yet as I have nothing suitable at the mo. My questions are these... What is the likelihood of warping at such low mileage? Anyone experience the same issue? If they are warped, what should they be replaced with? Thanks in advance for any input. Sean.
My pulsing was caused by a brake pad sized patch of corrosion/pitting.on the discs. Leaving it parked up whilst wet.
Get yourself a cheap dial test indicator and magnetic base on eBay. This will confirm any runout and by how much. It’s a useful tool to have in your box. Warping is usually caused by excessive localised heat, or unequally torqued disc bolts. The other cause if you have had a tyre fitted recently, has the tyre fitter clouted the disc?
Are the discs semi floating ? I can't remember. If they are, check that the bobbins are free to rotate and you can slightly rotate the disc forward and back in the direction of travel. Andy
apart from gunked up bobbins, only had similar once when I didn't centre the calipers on the discs when refitting the front wheel, but that only showed up at fairly high speeds...
Yeah, ordered a cheapo dial test indicator and will check the runout tomorrow, I guess there's a tolerance to adhere to.
Simplest method, fit a 5mm cap head bolt through the bobbin, put on a standard nut and then with an Allen socket on the end of an electric drill, spin it up with a sparing amount of penetrant or WD40. You’ll need a spanner to undo the nut, then move on to the next one. When all of the bobbins have been freed up, a good clean with chain or brake cleaner to get rid of all the slippery stuff. Andy If and I do emphasise if, your discs are semi floating.
While researching my brake issue, I remembered a YouTube vid I saw some time ago by an engineer I subscribe to...discuss. Floating Brake Discs - and bobbins - YouTube
I would strongly suspect the discs are warped, we replaced dozens of them under warranty in the last few years, some with only a couple of thousand miles on them, it seems Brembo changed supplier to much cheaper far eastern steel, It's cheap enough that Ducati can afford to throw discs at warranty claims rather than use better quality steel! We almost never replaced discs prior to this change and I have bikes that are 30 plus years old on the original ones!
Cheers, if it does turn out to be the case and they are warped, what would you recommend they are replaced with? I was thinking EBC MD841X (Demon Tweeks site says they don't fit but the EBC site says they do.) or EBC VR841GLD but am open to suggestions.
Hi Sean, give the guys at B&C express a call, they are EBC distributors, they can also supply Brembo, 01522 791369, lovely guys to deal with and they know their stuff, Terry used to work at our dealership for eight years as parts and workshop supervisor so knows his way around them!
Just to close this off, I replaced the OEM discs and put on EBC MD841X's Gold to match the Ohlins Now just need Storm Ethel or whatever to FO so I can bed these in.
