EBC rotors for 20 bucks each? Yup.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Yeah, I've never been able to nail down a definite OES for those front rotors. I'm highly pissed at the brakes on mine at the moment. It hasn't been 5000 miles, it's been 2500. I can't understand it's noticeable high-speed brake shudder already. I don't really want to rip the parts off and replace them so soon but the shake is bothering me really bad and this is really unacceptable. Thing is, I wonder if there could be another cause.. the shudder is felt in the floorboard more than the steering wheel as I'm used to.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
John, thanks for your help. I actually did that procedure myself as the shop replaced the parts and handed the keys back without driving it. I immediately followed that procedure. Frustrated today, I did the bed-in procedure again thinking "To hell with it, if I ruin it, I'll just replace the parts again". I let the car cool all day then decided to check the tire pressures and that's when I discovered a big issue.
There was a 10psi difference between the right and left front tires.
I keep a regular check on these things, so I can only attribute this to a few 90F days and 55F nights we had recently. I couldn't find any tire damage/puncture on the suspect tire but I'm going to keep a close watch. The 135i was giving me low tire warnings the other day as well. I really wish I could get the tire pressure feature turned on in my car by Steve! After adjusting all the pressures back to the appropriate settings the shudder is greatly diminished but still there. The rotors were pretty cheap for the X-drilled 12.8" diameter they are ($79/each) so maybe I just got what I paid for. I'll go with Zimmerman next time for sure.
There was a 10psi difference between the right and left front tires.
I keep a regular check on these things, so I can only attribute this to a few 90F days and 55F nights we had recently. I couldn't find any tire damage/puncture on the suspect tire but I'm going to keep a close watch. The 135i was giving me low tire warnings the other day as well. I really wish I could get the tire pressure feature turned on in my car by Steve! After adjusting all the pressures back to the appropriate settings the shudder is greatly diminished but still there. The rotors were pretty cheap for the X-drilled 12.8" diameter they are ($79/each) so maybe I just got what I paid for. I'll go with Zimmerman next time for sure.
Last edited by LILBENZ230; Jul 25, 2009 at 01:49 AM.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Matt - see PM
I basically agreed with Johnand but gave the following advice
quote
"With disc brakes you also need to be careful you don't warp the discs (rotors in US speak). When the brakes are hot after driving - never put a hose with cold water on the discs to wash wheels, never drive through a car wash - never drive through deep water. Allow the brakes to cool first. People don't realise just how hot disc brakes get. You can actually cause micro cracking in the disc." unquote
Rotors can take the normal splashing from rain but excessive cooling can cause trouble.
I basically agreed with Johnand but gave the following advice
quote
"With disc brakes you also need to be careful you don't warp the discs (rotors in US speak). When the brakes are hot after driving - never put a hose with cold water on the discs to wash wheels, never drive through a car wash - never drive through deep water. Allow the brakes to cool first. People don't realise just how hot disc brakes get. You can actually cause micro cracking in the disc." unquote
Rotors can take the normal splashing from rain but excessive cooling can cause trouble.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Thanks for your help Glyn. The car was really driving sloppy the past 48 hours but it was definitely the tire pressure issue. You and John and Mike(?) Leskovar are truly the gurus here. 
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Well, I finally ordered my rear brake parts.
I've got Akebono EUR779 pads coming from
partsfactor.com a company off of Amazon that had the best price shipped
and the EBC slotted and dimpled rotors...
GD891's from Autopartwarehouse.com
I found a discount code after scouring for a while
READY4SUMMER
Saved me 10 bucks so the price was like 142 including tax.
Autopartsworld wanted like 70 for the Akebono's, and the other place was like 52 + shipping. 58.13.
If I'd seen the discount from Autopartsworld I might have bought from them, but then I had tax added so it would've been like 75-80 with the discount. OK, yeh, money IS tight and so am I.
Well...then again, I did cook garlic prawn and mushroom pasta last night with a botttle of Rombauer Chard...so it's just a matter of saving the denaro for other things...
I would prefer that they are NOT gold, but that doesn't seem to be an option. The
zinc will wear off quickly I imagine. And the look more closely match the drilled fronts.
Here's a pic on a pontiac. Anyone have pics of them on a MB?
I've got Akebono EUR779 pads coming from
partsfactor.com a company off of Amazon that had the best price shipped
and the EBC slotted and dimpled rotors...
GD891's from Autopartwarehouse.com
I found a discount code after scouring for a while
READY4SUMMER
Saved me 10 bucks so the price was like 142 including tax.
Autopartsworld wanted like 70 for the Akebono's, and the other place was like 52 + shipping. 58.13.
If I'd seen the discount from Autopartsworld I might have bought from them, but then I had tax added so it would've been like 75-80 with the discount. OK, yeh, money IS tight and so am I.
Well...then again, I did cook garlic prawn and mushroom pasta last night with a botttle of Rombauer Chard...so it's just a matter of saving the denaro for other things...
I would prefer that they are NOT gold, but that doesn't seem to be an option. The
zinc will wear off quickly I imagine. And the look more closely match the drilled fronts.
Here's a pic on a pontiac. Anyone have pics of them on a MB?
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Aug 7, 2009 at 09:36 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 423
Likes: 1
From: East Coast
C230 coupe 2002
if you want a close up pic , with no wheel on it, i'll be happy to go downstair at 10:00 am in the morning with a hangover, take my wheel off, borrow my sister's camera and take that pic. I guess that's nothing compare to the good info you supply here! 
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
2005 C240 4matic and 2007 ML320 CDI 4matic
Brembo Told Me Not To Use EBC Pads
I have the same scraping noise and slight vibration with my cross drilled Brembo rotors. I contact Brembo and the representative told me they have had problems with the Brembo rotors and EBC pads. Two different reps suggested I change the pads. I plan to change them next month so I hope it resolves the problem.
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