Brake pad warning
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Can't help you with pads - Akebono not sold here but we have the same confusion. At 3mm it's definitely time to change. Not sure I would change the rotors but that's your call. You have definitely tripped the sensor. Now you need to find out how many sensors your car has - varies from 1 to 4. If you are only changing fronts be very careful not to push the pistons back too far - only just enough to get the pad in. I've found when changing front without back you can end up with a slighly low spongy pedal due to caliper over return.
splinter posted condemning limits for rotors - Thought I'd copied it but I can't find.
splinter posted condemning limits for rotors - Thought I'd copied it but I can't find.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 6
From: SE PA
2001 C320
My particular issue I mentioned in this thread is becoming more and more of a problem/daily occurrence. I'm going to call the dealership at which I just had my car and let them know what is going on and how this problem only came about AFTER I took my car to them.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2
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C230 kompressor "2004"
I did the brake pad change on my C230 last month, When shopping for pads it was confusing. I know that that my c230 2004 pads can be used on a c32 amg. I bought some pads at some shop without giving them the vin number and I ended up getting the wrong pads. Its best to give them your VIN number to get the accurate parts from the start. I bought OEM 004-420-9020 brake pads for my c230. I use this site to match oem part numbers http://www.mercedescomplete.com/Cata...ogResults.aspx
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
my brake pad warning issue is with my new (to me) CLK, but I love you guys on the W203 forum! The "visit workshop" message was lit when I bought the car on 9/15, and it seemed apparent to all who looked (I dunno what I'm looking at) that I needed fronts. So, I just got my Akebono pads and R1 drilled and slotted rotors, paid my indie mechanic $100 to install, and the warning's still on. We did reuse the sensor (right front only, it seems) but mechanic said it should still work. He thinks maybe the rear sensor is bad.....the rear pads look okay, at least without taking the wheels off....37,700 miles, BTW....any thoughts?
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
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From: VA
THE C350
my brake pad warning issue is with my new (to me) CLK, but I love you guys on the W203 forum! The "visit workshop" message was lit when I bought the car on 9/15, and it seemed apparent to all who looked (I dunno what I'm looking at) that I needed fronts. So, I just got my Akebono pads and R1 drilled and slotted rotors, paid my indie mechanic $100 to install, and the warning's still on. We did reuse the sensor (right front only, it seems) but mechanic said it should still work. He thinks maybe the rear sensor is bad.....the rear pads look okay, at least without taking the wheels off....37,700 miles, BTW....any thoughts?
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From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Not right - Merc sensors don't run to ground. You break the circuit when the sensor touches the disc & the sensor requires replacement. In properly designed vehicles you don't want power running through a bearing.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 18,677
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From: OC
a quarter mile at a time
yeah Merc sensors are different. Once the circuit is broken by wearing down the pad and eating into the sensor, it must be replaced to stop the warning.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
I'll buy sensors for front and rear; and I know I had only one up front so I assume one in the rear. found these on a website; can I assume the more expensive ones ($5.78) are OEM?:
2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350 3.5L 3498cc V6 FI [272.960] : Brake/Wheel Hub : Brake Pad Wear Sensor Price Core Total Advice
ÜRO PARTS Part # 2115401717 More Info
$2.40 $0.00 $2.40
Add to Cart
BECK/ARNLEY Part # 0841526
Front
Rear
$5.78 $0.00 $5.78
Add to Cart
2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350 3.5L 3498cc V6 FI [272.960] : Brake/Wheel Hub : Brake Pad Wear Sensor Price Core Total Advice
ÜRO PARTS Part # 2115401717 More Info
$2.40 $0.00 $2.40
Add to Cart
BECK/ARNLEY Part # 0841526
Front
Rear
$5.78 $0.00 $5.78
Add to Cart
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
You should have one on the rear. Over the years the sensors on these cars have varied from 4 like mine has to 1 on the front only.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
thanks; are either of these OEM?:
ÜRO PARTS Part # 2115401717 $2.40
BECK/ARNLEY Part # 0841526 $5.78
ÜRO PARTS Part # 2115401717 $2.40
BECK/ARNLEY Part # 0841526 $5.78
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 1
From: ontario, Canada
C230 COUPE 2003 M271
Have a look at the pad thickness that is left. You can see them. This has come up before but I wonder why American spec Cs only have one sensor. South African built cars like mine have on both front wheels - don't know about the back because I'm still on original rear pads.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
BTW - most of the endurance testing is done here and in Namibia.
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
If anyone wants me to give them a tour of our testing facility and procedures we take on testing the w203's durability PM me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
$20 each at the dealership nearest me! seems outrageous (as usual). even with $7+ shipping it's less than $14 online!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,124
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From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
Thanks for the rmeuropean tip; 3 per car? what's it, 2 in the rear? I know there was only one in the front. whatever; I'll order the rear pads now, before the sensors go, and get the free shipping!
Last edited by eddieo45; Nov 21, 2009 at 11:56 AM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
all the w203s seem to be different my 01 has 4 but the 07 have 1. btw it would have more in the front then the rear unless your car is very special. i would say either look at your car and see or just order 4 because they are so cheap lol.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,275
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
The sensors are a joke. My sensor went off at 54,000km. I had my brakes done at 56,000km. When I pulled them out there was a good 5-6mm left. Using extrapolation, I probably could've lasted another 20000km before hitting the 1-2mm mark, but of course the car now flashes the warning every single @#%!! time you step on the brakes. 
I now have my brake sensor ziptied to the caliper. Visual inspections are good enough for me.
If you DIY your own brakes, may I suggest you also take a drill to the hole and move it closer to the back plate, to get a few more mm out of the pads.
I now have my brake sensor ziptied to the caliper. Visual inspections are good enough for me.
If you DIY your own brakes, may I suggest you also take a drill to the hole and move it closer to the back plate, to get a few more mm out of the pads.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
And my '01 has one on each front and only one in the right rear! During a wheel rotation while checking the pads I found the left rear inside pad (the only wheel without a sensor) had only about .020" remaining!! I think the concept is good in general because very few people check, or even know how to check, for pad wear. Unfortunately, some mechanics take advantage of that lack of knowledge.
