samaritrey

Ok when running the test did the lights keep going back and forth or did that stop? If they stopped you are good to go if they didn't that means a motor won't sync up. there are three ways to figure out which one is bad listen and see if you can pinpoint which one, Take the whole dash off and look/listen, Take it to the dealer they can tell you from the computer which one won't sync up. I had a bad one took it in they told me which one was bad in like 10 minutes. luckily mine was covered under Mercedes 100k warranty.

Crna Mechka

Right, the lights never stopped until I shut off the ignition. So that means that one or more of the motors won't sync up.

I can get it checked out - but how serious is it if one of them are bad?

Can it cause permanent damage if I don't get them replaced ASAP or can the Climatronic work long-term as is?

Because it definitely does the job when it comes to warming/cooling, I would have never suspected that something is wrong with it.

Crna Mechka

So all I gotta do is pull the control arms out and bring them to Autozone/Meineke/etc with the new front bushings and they will press them in for me? After that just pop the control arms back in and that's a job complete? Sounds simple enough. Wish I had ordered these front bushings last week when I ordered my air filter and such. Gonna have to pay another $12 in shipping costs now.

fookoo303

by from rmeuropean.... its free shipping if more than 65 bucks is spent. I had problems popping out the ball joint end of the control arms, until Splinter had sent me his special tool to remove it. Also, i dont know if autozone will have a press to do it, and meineke quoted me 40 bucks each to press. You might want to call around and see how much they charge to do it. If its too much than you can just order the entire arm with bushing pre-installed instead.

Glyn M Ruck

Remember to mark orientation of old bushes so that new ones are pressed in with 3 position fluted bolt slot correctly aligned. With Benz tool it's easy but that damn tool is like $250

Crna Mechka

Thanks for chiming in sir Glyn! But it looks like the bushings will have to wait for now.

Just got a brake inspection at Meineke and apparently I need new front pads and rotors.

I called the stealership and they want $110 for the pads and $150 for the rotors and $10 for a sensor, what a joke!

I searched RMEuropean, and found a set of Pagid OEM pads (http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._BBABD5E9.aspx) for $62 - I also found the Zimmerman rotors for $54 each (http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._C5275AFF.aspx). That's a total of $170 as compared to $270 that the stealership is asking for!

Already have a spare sensor handy as well.

Could someone just confirm that the above setup is okay for my ride? I'm not looking to upgrade to ceramics or anything like that just yet.

ao125

Quick tip: If you don't feel comfortable doing your own brake work, Midas will install brakes and pads you supply, and just charge you labor.

I used to do that all the time when I didn't have access to a garage space.

tommy

Akebono ceramics for your car are only $71 on Tirerack; I think they'd be worth the additional 9 bucks.

Crna Mechka

Thanks for chiming in pal! I actually did ask Meineke for a quote on installing them and they asked for $140 just labor, thanks but no thanks!

I'll install them myself with the help of one of my more 'mechanically-inclined' friends, shouldn't be too difficult.

Right but I have stock pads/rotors on the rear...is it okay to have a different setup in the front as compared to the rear?

I've also been told that I would need a more expensive pair of rotors in order to use Akebono ceramics - is that true?

Don't get me wrong - I would love to upgrade to ceramics, but is it recommended for my setup? Can I use the same Zimmerman rotors as posted above?

Crna Mechka

More problems...

Bought a tow eye cover off eBay specified for my model car. Looks exactly the same as any other tow cover that runs up to $70 at the stealership. It fits perfect but it won't freakin latch on to anything in there! Is there some kind of spring that comes with the tow eye cover at MB that holds it in place?

Like I said, it fits perfectly in the square...just won't stay in place. What am I missing??

tommy

No, the ceramics work with any rotors, no need for "extra special" ones.

Can you post a pic of the cover? I can go out in the parking lot and look at mine. I think there's just a little plastic lip that keeps it there, but it's been a whilel since I've looked at mine.

Crna Mechka

Hey tommy sorry for not getting back to you earlier - got real busy at work. I'll take a pic of the hole and the cover itself soon as I get the chance.

In other news...just got the AZN Optics 194 city lights and threw the 8k's right in there...looks great along with the flat emblem.

Gonna feel real good once I get all the major things done (trans & trans case oil/filter, fuel filter, air filter, front brakes, bushings).

Work in progress...

Crna Mechka

You know what, I thought about it and decided to go with the Akebonos. Are these the ones you're referring to?

Akebono Euro Cermacic Pads EUR872 (http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brake...4&autoModClar=)

I assume they are different from this set (http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._8683CC26.aspx)

Another thing - should I go with the Zimmerman or the Genuine Mercedes rotors? The GM's are about $10 more but I'll pay it if it's worth it..

By the way thanks for pointing me to Tirerack - those Akebonos seem like a steal!

laneshift

Just something to throw out there, not saying you did this, but do not mount HID ballasts near anything electrical, like the esp unit, etc. They emit waves that interfere with said units and will damage some pretty pricey stuff.

cpbeasley

the tow hook cover should snap in place.

if not, that explains why your old one was missing... the clip on the bumper cover is broken.

your car probably got towed and someone got careless.

Crna Mechka

Thanks for your responses gentlemen.

@laneshift: I have not nor do I plan to install any HID ballasts - what would I use that for anyway? New foglights?

@cpbeasley: The tow hook cover I bought off ebay is the wrong one. I'm just gonna get one at the stealership (pre-painted) for $40.

Lastly, can anyone answer my above question about brakes please? I would like to order ASAP.

Just need to confirm that the Akebono Euro Pads are the right ones and that the Zimmerman rotors are compatible.

cpbeasley

yes and yes.

no doubt.

do it already lol.

Crna Mechka

Lol alright I'm gonna go place the order now

Crna Mechka

Ordered the Akebono's for now...still debating on whether I should go for the cross-drilled/slotted rotors instead of standard Zimmerman Coat-Z's.

Anyone know a place where I can get a quality pair of cross-drilled FRONT rotors for around $150/pair incl shipping costs?

Would love to just make the upgrade now but only if the price difference is ~$50-$75 as compared to the Zimmerman Coat-Z's.

Crna Mechka

Evening gentlemen...

The Akebono pads and Zimmerman rotors are on the way. Air filter, cabin filter, fuel filter, transmission fluid/filter and transfer case fluid flush also coming in the next 1-2 weeks.

Would like to get rid of all the exterior yellow bulbs as well ASAP.

Can anyone recommend where I can get the LED license plate lights & LED parking/reverse lights? Would like to go all white.

TIA.

Crna Mechka

Evening gentlemen.

Transmission fluid/filter and transfer case fluid is done. New air and fuel filter also installed. So that is that.

RE: Brakes:

The Akebono's have arrived, just waiting on the rotors from RMEuropean now.

Here's the box - doesn't say anywhere that they are ceramic, can anyone confirm that they are?

Also - I don't see where the sensor would go on these? There is no slot for them like on the stock MB pads.

And lastly - see the second pic with the red circles in it surrounding what look like paint spots on the pads themselves - is that okay?

cpbeasley

paint will burn off in seconds

see top of pads where there is a metal slot and the pad surface itself is in the shape of a U? I believe that is where your sensor slides down in place. Its been a couple of years since Ive done a pad change on a w203, so thats what Im thinking?

does it say anywhere that they are anything but ceramic?

Crna Mechka

Nah it doesn't say ceramic or non-ceramic anywhere, so I don't know what they actually are

cpbeasley

According to forum members and internet info, arent they supposed to be ceramic?

If so, there wouldnt be any reason for you to worry?

Crna Mechka

Dunno man - I just like to be sure of what I'm putting in my car - after all, its a lotta money.