Glyn M Ruck

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.

PA_Pete

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.

redone619

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

eddieo45

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?

samaritrey

you have to replace the sensor.

eddieo45

That's what I figured, but he said it should only be creating the warning if it comes in contact with the rotor and grounds out, which it's not. But, I figured, what if it's so worn down that it's grounding itself out, right?

Glyn M Ruck

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.

e1000

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.

eddieo45

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

Glyn M Ruck

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.

LILBENZ230

Mine has 1 front sensor only, so yes, varies wildly.

eddieo45

thanks; are either of these OEM?:

ÜRO PARTS Part # 2115401717 $2.40
BECK/ARNLEY Part # 0841526 $5.78

Glyn M Ruck

That first number is OEM my front's take A2205400717

wvadam

you say south african built cars. do they really build them in south africa or do you mean they are imported to south africa?

LILBENZ230

He means South African built, just like he said. The W203 was built in East London, South Africa - IIRC.

Glyn M Ruck

Yeah!, We've been building Benz cars here since the '50s. Most W204s for the USA are built here. The East London plant has the contract.

BTW - most of the endurance testing is done here and in Namibia.

W203E35

Built in South Africa but the durability is tested here in Burbank, CA

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.

Glyn M Ruck

Yeah - testing by Karo "BIG FOOT" Enterprises

samaritrey

lol

eddieo45

$20 each at the dealership nearest me! seems outrageous (as usual). even with $7+ shipping it's less than $14 online!

samaritrey

3.99 on rmeuropean and free shipping over $65. just ordered lots of stuff form them today. hope i get it before Thursday.

eddieo45

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!

samaritrey

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.

slammer111

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.

mleskovar

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.