Brake FAQs

FAQ	Covers
Front End Vibration While Braking	Control-arm bushings or rotors
Brake Pedal Pulses After Hard Use	Warped rotors after a track day
Brake Rotor Retaining Screw	Drill or break the rusted locator screw
Delayed Braking Reaction	Failed brake accumulator (bomb)
Parking Brake Button Stuck	Slide the grip back on the handle

The brakes use a hydraulic dual-circuit brake system with power assistance. The front wheels have disc brakes, that are – except for the 518i – internally ventilated. All models with 2.5L or more displacement have rear disc brakes (non-vented), while the lesser powered models have rear drum brakes. To prevent the wheels from locking, BMW equipped the E28 after 1984 with an anti-lock braking system, although it was an option in some markets.