tivoboy

So, I was going to get my brakes done at the dealer, front pads and rotors, but they wanted 850$ for the job. I figured that was a bit much.

So, I found a reputable shop here on the peninsula, and had them do it, for 475$. OEM pads and rotors. Granted, OEM means same type, fit, composition, etc, but it probably didn't have the STAR on the box.

Issue is, this is the first time I have had the brakes done on this smaller merc, and well, they feel a bit mushy. As if, the pedal takes a bit more reach to affect the same amount of braking? Or, the pads/rotor are not gripping as tightly, based on the same caliper pressure?

Do the new brake pads, rotors, take a little while to settle? I figured, it would be a sharp contrast to the "your brakes need attention NOW, head to a werkstatt sofort!" message I had been getting for about two weeks.

any thoughts, feedback? Is there something I can check, before calling the dealer and asking them to revisit the install?

drexappeal

What model/year is your car? And where exactly are you located?

Update your profile, so people can give you some input.

tivoboy

thanks,
sorry.
this is a 2001 C-class, 320. Stock through and through. Has about 40k on it, never had the brakes done before.

I'll update profile now.

wizkid

Usually it takes 100 miles for the pads to fully seat themselves.

You notice the fronts more than the rears, I can tell you that for sure.

Also, next time, do your own brakes and save a lot of $$$$.

drexappeal

Awesome. Okay, so the price the dealership was quoting you was ridiculous. I know shops in L.A. that'll upgrade your front brakes (calipers, rotors and pads) for a little over $1,000 to AMG brakes.

Is the small shop just charging you for front? I still think that's expensive, even for a small shop. I say, check other dealerships in other states for the pricing on the parts alone and find out how much it would be for install only (no parts).

Who knows, you may be able to upgrade your front brakes for a little bit more money than what that small shop is charging you for the OEM small brakes.

RES

Depending on how they compressed the pistons you may need to bleed the brakes. This is a good time to do a flush and bleed on the brakes. Make sure they use the correct fluid. If they do a proper bleed with correct fluid you should have solid brake feel. Then if that is not it could be booster, not likely but not out of the question.

Check the fluid resevior to see if the fluid looks clean or dirty. That will give you an idea if they did.

mbtech360

possibly a problem with the master cylinder, if you just hold your foot on the pedal, and it slowly drops to the floor, your lookin a new master cylinder not something thats really hard to do, its just a knuckle buster to get the resivior off of the master cyl.

mleskovar

Or a different pad was installed....do they dust the same as the original ones?

e1000

OEM should mean it DOES have the star on the box.

I've driven the non-sport C-class and yes, the brakes felt noticably mushy