Rotor question
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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2003 C230K
Rotor question
So the rear rotors on our C230K has worn almost to the indicator line. Is this now the time to change? The car has 40K miles on it.. and I'm reading different opinions. As for performance, I see nothing wrong with the stopping power.. and appears to be working properly.
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
You may have found out already that a dial caliper probably doesn't work well for this because usually there is a ridge along the outside of the rotor where the pad doesn't rub.
I've never hear of an indicator line on rotors which is not at all to say they don't exist. Often, the minimum thickness is cast into the non wear surface in the center of the rotor. Where is this indicator line? It sounds very handy.
I've never hear of an indicator line on rotors which is not at all to say they don't exist. Often, the minimum thickness is cast into the non wear surface in the center of the rotor. Where is this indicator line? It sounds very handy.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: So. Cal.
'02 C320 Wagon, '78 308 GTS, '06 Highlander Hybrid
Maybe he was referring to tread wear indicators on your tires.
As mentioned before calipers usually won't work too well unless there is a notch on the calipers that you can fit the "lip" of the rotor into. You can check the thickness with a micrometer.
As mentioned before calipers usually won't work too well unless there is a notch on the calipers that you can fit the "lip" of the rotor into. You can check the thickness with a micrometer.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: North San diego
C320 2002
Brakes..
Disc brake pad lining thickness ( MIN ) 1/8 inch (3.2 mm)
Parking Brake lining thickness ( MIN) 1/16 inch (1.6mm)
Parking brake Shoe min thickness 0.040 inch ( 1 mm )
Min Disk / rotor is stated on the rotor some place..
Disc brake pad lining thickness ( MIN ) 1/8 inch (3.2 mm)
Parking Brake lining thickness ( MIN) 1/16 inch (1.6mm)
Parking brake Shoe min thickness 0.040 inch ( 1 mm )
Min Disk / rotor is stated on the rotor some place..
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From: SoCal. Desert
'16 E350, gone: '03 c230k
I'm pretty sure there's a wear indicator on the brake pads (metal tab that starts to squeel when you hit the brakes), but not the rotors. Hopefullly that's what he was talking about (and charging you for). No need to replace the rotors when changing brakes unless they're too worn, which is highly unlikely on the rears given your mileage.
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From: OC
a quarter mile at a time
I'm pretty sure there's a wear indicator on the brake pads (metal tab that starts to squeel when you hit the brakes), but not the rotors. Hopefullly that's what he was talking about (and charging you for). No need to replace the rotors when changing brakes unless they're too worn, which is highly unlikely on the rears given your mileage.
Mercedes uses brake pad sensors. Depending on year, the w203 can have as few as 1 or as many as 3 of these sensors on different pads. There is no indicator line, although looking at the pad and seeing how close it is to tripping the sensor could be seen as an "indicator".
Thread Starter
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2003 C230K
It is indeed the rotor he was talking about. My wife actually picked up the car from the dealer who informed me that we only had 5% remaining in rotor life.. sorry he did not a mention indicator line this time. I will need to take the wheel off this weekend to get a visual. Strangely, the pads were still ok.. is it possible for the rotors to wear out before the pads do? Seems really odd to me.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,055
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From: SoCal. Desert
'16 E350, gone: '03 c230k
There is absolutely not.
Mercedes uses brake pad sensors. Depending on year, the w203 can have as few as 1 or as many as 3 of these sensors on different pads. There is no indicator line, although looking at the pad and seeing how close it is to tripping the sensor could be seen as an "indicator".
Mercedes uses brake pad sensors. Depending on year, the w203 can have as few as 1 or as many as 3 of these sensors on different pads. There is no indicator line, although looking at the pad and seeing how close it is to tripping the sensor could be seen as an "indicator".
The pads should definitely be worn if the rotor is worn (assuming the pads haven't been replaced). If'n it were me, I would have put new pads in along with the new rotors...
Last edited by mtnman82; Nov 19, 2010 at 02:17 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: OC
a quarter mile at a time
It is indeed the rotor he was talking about. My wife actually picked up the car from the dealer who informed me that we only had 5% remaining in rotor life.. sorry he did not a mention indicator line this time. I will need to take the wheel off this weekend to get a visual. Strangely, the pads were still ok.. is it possible for the rotors to wear out before the pads do? Seems really odd to me.
Original thickness, current thickness, minimum thickness.
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
It is indeed the rotor he was talking about. My wife actually picked up the car from the dealer who informed me that we only had 5% remaining in rotor life.. sorry he did not a mention indicator line this time. I will need to take the wheel off this weekend to get a visual. Strangely, the pads were still ok.. is it possible for the rotors to wear out before the pads do? Seems really odd to me.
Do let us know what you find out this weekend!
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Why bother measuring? Just use this rule: 2 sets of pads for 1 set of rotors. Just changed my front rotors a couple of weeks ago at 101000km, and I'm still on the original rear rotors.
If you want to get nitty gritty, there is a "MIN TH" stamped onto the area between the hub and the part the pads grip onto. My understanding (my SA is awesome) is that the thickness is the minimum WHEN INSTALLING NEW PADS.
If you want to get nitty gritty, there is a "MIN TH" stamped onto the area between the hub and the part the pads grip onto. My understanding (my SA is awesome) is that the thickness is the minimum WHEN INSTALLING NEW PADS.
