FastMoneyPlaya

Just got a "Brake Wear" message at 24K miles on my 2011 GL350... Does this seem like a normal amount of wear for a GL? Our driving style is a mix of hwy/city. I'm also trying to figure out if I should take it to the dealer for a guaranteed $1k+ plus soaking, or if it's okay to take it to an independent shop - i.e. is there anything special about Mercedes brakes that require a dealer to service them? I suspect the rotors don't need to be replaced since the mileage is low (but my guess would be the Mercedes dealer would try to make me pay for it even if it's not needed). The brakes work perfectly fine, except for the warning message.

Thanks

ace10

Easy job for a DIY'er to replace brake pads on this vehicle.

FastMoneyPlaya

PS - I just got the following quote from MB dealer:

Front pads only it will be $ 320.00 plus tax
Rear pads only it will be $ 265.00 plus tax

Front pads with rotors will be $ 713.00 plus tax
Rear pads and rotors it will be $ 642.00 plus tax

alx

it is the rears most likely- they go early. mine went at 50k. highway and city.

25k? i would say somebody is riding the brakes or braking too aggressively.

ace10

Pads are $50-60 for the rear set. If it take you more than an hour, you're doing it wrong.

Rear pads on my ML were gone at 30K.

alx

actually if i remember correctly the calipers in the back are single piston. those calipers need to be pulled apart, cleaned and lubricated or else you risk the inner pad to be the only one working and wearing out prematurely not to mention the outer pad ruining the disk.

just something to consider.

ace10

There is zero complexity to this job. No gotchas at all.

My SA and I split these types of jobs up. He takes the tough/technical/warranty stuff. I do the easy stuff. He knows that charging $450-500 for replacing brake pads is nearly criminal.

FastMoneyPlaya

I just got a quote from the local tire/brake place who does reputable work, and his price is about half of what Mercedes quoted. It's about $140 for front pads, $400 if I get the rotors done, but I shouldn't need rotors at 24K miles. Rear is a little cheaper. I think I'll go there.

alx

please educate yourself on single piston floating calipers maintenance and problems arising from lack of such.

swapping just pads on such calipers without cleaning and re-lubricating the sliding points is a no no and asking for immediate or down the road trouble.

not to mention that wis specifically calls for lubrication of said parts.

ace10

reading is fundamental... it really is. i don't see where it was suggested that R&R'ing the pads was the only step in this procedure.

there is nothing complicated with cleaning, lubing, resetting a piston, torquing bolts to spec, etc. if you think there is, then it's probably a good idea to pay someone to do this job for you.

i do [heart] the fear grenade thrown in for good measure, though.

alx

missed the point, didnt you. i never said you cannot do it inside an hour (although i doubt it, but anyway).

what i did refer to was that you said there are no gotchas.

there are and i brought one of them up. you need to split the caliper, clean it and lubricate the sliders and then install new pads. you dont just swap pads.

the other one is that you do not push the piston in as you will introduce dirt into the abs unit and master cylinder. instead, you open the bleeder, push the piston and catch the excess brake fluid. this is also in wis.

i hope this clarifies my previous post

NYCMBGL450

Went through the same thing. I replaced my brakes early and now I think I need to replace the rotors as the brakes squeak. Use your own guy, but probably on the safer side to buy OEM products. The Rotors for the front are about $70 bucks each, might just be worth doing the whole thing while the tires and brakes are off.

FastMoneyPlaya

Got the brakes fixed today at the local shop for $400. Only had to wait an hour while they did it. The Mercedes dealer would have been twice as much, and they didn't even have an appointment until next week - would have had to leave it there all day, but at least would have had a loaner and a free car wash.

As it turned out, the right rear brake pad was worn, as it was supposedly rubbing on the rotor - i.e. was braking while driving. All the other pads were fine. So for some reason it sounds like the pads were stuck and caused pre-mature wear. As a result, we got the rotors done too. That's $70K worth of German engineering!

chsu74

Maybe some guy down in Alabama did not split the caliper, clean it and lubricate the sliders and then install new pads when your truck was being built.

BIGsmoke

The Brembo's on my Subaru were $425/per rotor/corner. plus $400+ for front pads and $300+ for rear pad. They are from Italy, hand made by Kebbler elves. I too shopped around. $3,ooo for parts from the dealer??? I know you did your brakes already, but do take a look at Stopteck and DBA next time. They have excellent aftermarket parts. I had 4 rotors with pads and fluid on my desk for $900 tax in. Called a favorite local mechanic, $400 for his time. Its a shame that I could not get the dealer to do it. Parts were out of this world, and, like you, 2 weeks to get the car in.

I always ask for my old part when done. Makes it easier to hand over my money when I can see the worn out pad or feathered and un-machinable rotor.

kay.speed

I took my 2011 Mercedes GLK 350 to the Mercedes dealership to get my brakes checked because they were sqealing. They said they were fine. Three months later when I purchased new tires from expert tire, they said I needed pads and rotors. Pissed!!!