jlm003

The rotors are placed on a lathe type machine that slowly turns/spins them against a cutting tool to return them to the flat and "true" surface they originally had. In addition, since the surface will now be a slightly rough, the new pads should break-in more quickly and evenly.

One word of advice, the shop that does this should use a tool to measure the thickness of the rotor against the factory tolerance specs. There is a minimun thickness required in order for the brakes to work correctly. If you go beyond these specs, the rotors may heat up more than their allowable tolerance, cause abnormal warpage and/or brake fade (this is where the brakes start to lose their stopping power).

Furthermore, if the rotors a very warped or have been turned before, then you may have gone beyond the factory tolerance and thus require replacement.

Saprissa

Thanks jlm003 !

my brain-bank probably lost something I learned in college (like some mixed-drink formula), but this is much more useful information. Now i know, and that's half the battle.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

YeeHaw

you turn them a lil bit by hand then they are as good as new sorry couldnt resist...... Anyways some auto part stores can turn the rotor for ya.

C230 Sport Coup

I find that rotors that are turned usually warp.
Thats why I just eyeball 'em, turn them on the axle before removal, inspect them well.
Look for runout, (ie side to side movement) and any excessive grooves.
If stock pads were used previously, and not run down metal to metal,
you can usually just put new pads on.
Now if you've been running harder pads, yeh, better get 'em measured.
And for sure, replace them every other time.
I'd rather just buy new ones than turn them.

jigga619

How good are the Pagid brake pads compared to the stock ones?

amdeutsch

As good as the testimonials posted on here by members. :p

vadim

Pagid is one of the OEM for MB.

Buellwinkle

As mentioned above, MB bounces around to different supplier like Textar, Jurid and Pagid for their OEM brake pads. They are OK but dust like crazy but some people like the blacked out wheel look. If you want a premium pad that lasts longer and doesn't dust nearly as much, check with Porterfield Brakes in Costa Mesa, CA. Nice people, they'll make the pad for you while you wait if they don't have it in stock.

jigga619

Thanks for the info guys!! I just bought a set of Pagids from Buymbparts. Hope they get here soon!!

r3v1ls

Well i got in the car today and the "check brake lining wear" light went on. So i'm guessing i need to change the brake pads. The car has about 10k miles on it, but there's tons of stop and go traffic in LA. Anyways the dealer wants about 280 to put on new brake pads. I'm thinking of buying some brake pads myself and having a shop do it or doing it myself. Any suggestions on what kind of brake pads i should get? And do you know of anyplace that could do it for a reasonable cost? I think mercedes is asking a lil too much for a simple brake pad change. So please post your suggestions on what i should do.

essa

Buy the pads from the dealer and have yourself or ask a shop to do the installation. It's a very simple procedure. Won't cost you more than 150.

hobie

$73 is the MB list, Caliber is $58. Some stores use matrix pricing and go over list. "pagid" was printed on the sticker of the MB pads I just bought. Only one sensor on the coupe.

c230kracer

yea, i just got my brake pads changed. I got the pads from the Dealer and i asked them how much it would cost to install and they said, $110 an hour minimum so im like WHOA and i took it to my dads friends shop to get it installed and get my rotors re sanded so they could no squeek n e more because the pad doesn't exactly fit the whole rotor. There is a little section on the edge of the rotor and the inside of the rotor which the pad does not touch which causes 2 lines one in the inside ring of the rotor and 1 on the outside ring of the rotor which is the eges...This causes the squeeking...and i got it done for 70 bucks alltogether so i think that was a really good price cuz i also got it sanded down...THEY LOOK NEW NOW! heh laterz

Outland

They should have turned the rotor. I wouldn't put the stock pads back on...too much brake dust.

r3v1ls

Yah i definitelly know where my old brake pads went... on my front wheels, they're usually black... grr. You guys know any brake pads that would fit and that produce less brake dust?

amdeutsch

Why don't you do a search? This has been discussed previously. Several brands had been mentioned including the pro and cons.

ctC230K

you guys think the 230 has a lot of brake dust??? look at any BMW! their wheels turn black one day after cleaning them.

MB-BOB

There is a "Sticky" thread on this subject at the top of this forum...

I just changed my front brake pads myself with Pagids (pronounced "pah-geed") from www.autopartswarehouse.com for $82 including the pads, a pack of four sensors and 4 packets of anti-squeel paste, and shipping. The Pagids dust about half as much as the OEM Lucas pads.

TanOso

I have a 02 C240. Took to the dealership and they said the rear brake pads have 15% remaining. I've changed the front brake pads. Are the rears just as easy? Keyes Van Nuys wanted $250 for the job.

Thanks for any advice.......

essa

Click here Check if this apply to our car...I'm not sure.

Rick

Tan, you've got an 02 non-AMG model...the brakes are the same, so just read the part about the rear brakes. There's a clip and pin on top of the caliper that you have to remove - that's about the only procedural difference from swapping the front pads.

Porterfields are a lot better than stock.

Gregs210

Hi, Tan, the rears are a piece of cake, simpler than the fronts IMHO. I put Axxis Ultimates on my E and simply love them. Great performance cold or hot and lots less brake dust.

Enjoy the ride,
Greg

mleskovar

I do not trust the dealer's assessment of brake pad thickness...look yourself and determine it. I once replaced the front pads and had a service done by the dealer two weeks later. They said my front pads had "40% remaining". Rear pads should last about twice as long as front pads (general statement, not a science). If you don't know how to look and determine pad thickness you either need to learn (easy) or replace when they recommend (usually premature...what do they have to lose?).

Buellwinkle

I replaced the rotors on my Wife's Honda CR-V because America Tire over tightened the lugnuts and warped the rotors. I remove the nuts, retightened by hand and that remove most of the warpness but I replace the rotors anyway and the pads had about 1/4" left which is good for many more miles. The next day I took it to the Honda dealer for a maintenance and they said the brake pads had 1mm left or about 1/25" of an inch. Do they think I'm a moron? I bring in a car with brand new rotors that have 5 miles on them, I obviously had to remove the pads to remove the rotor. Makes you want to do the work yourself because you can't trust them. BTW, they want $193 to do the brakes, for $40 pads and 25 min work.

gaiex

Yesterday I first have the "brake pads wear, visit workshop" warning ligth on, but I had already booked for a service B for july 15, I have 25100 miles, so, change it first or wait???
I don't have any noises yet when braking...