break pads
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 52
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From: Seattle
01 C320
break pads
hey i need to change my break pads and i had a couple of questions.
1) has anyone installed the break pads on their own? If so is it like any normal car or is there more too it. Also is it easy to do.
2) is there any suggestions on what kind of break pads to use. I wnated something with less break dust, but i heard that aftermarket break pads are squeaky when pressing the breaks.
thank you
1) has anyone installed the break pads on their own? If so is it like any normal car or is there more too it. Also is it easy to do.
2) is there any suggestions on what kind of break pads to use. I wnated something with less break dust, but i heard that aftermarket break pads are squeaky when pressing the breaks.
thank you
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
I never break pads, but I have installed brake pads, it's fairly easy if it's just pads, a little harder if you are going to remove the rotor for turning or replacing. The rears do require more skill as you have to turn the caliper piston with a special tool but I've borrowed it from Kragen for free. If your sensor has gone off remember to pick up a pair from the dealer.
I use Porterfields in my coupe and my kid's Mustang. I find that they are smooth, last a bit and stop a little bit better, specially when hot. On the MB, the front pads produces much less dust than the factory pads, equivalent to the dust the rear factory pads produce. Although during the first month they were noisy, very noisy, they are very quiet now, no complaints. Part of the break-in process. On the Mustang they work great but produce way more dust than the Ford factory pads. So what's acceptable on the MB as a huge improvement is not acceptable on the Ford. So I would use them again on the MB but not on the Mustang. Also from my experience, they a very rotor friendly, no warping on either car where the cheap aftermarket pads a local shop used on the Mustang warped the rotors to the point of being throw aways. On my MB the pads have 29K miles, still good. One thing to note, these are not bargain pads, be prepared to spend some money.
I use Porterfields in my coupe and my kid's Mustang. I find that they are smooth, last a bit and stop a little bit better, specially when hot. On the MB, the front pads produces much less dust than the factory pads, equivalent to the dust the rear factory pads produce. Although during the first month they were noisy, very noisy, they are very quiet now, no complaints. Part of the break-in process. On the Mustang they work great but produce way more dust than the Ford factory pads. So what's acceptable on the MB as a huge improvement is not acceptable on the Ford. So I would use them again on the MB but not on the Mustang. Also from my experience, they a very rotor friendly, no warping on either car where the cheap aftermarket pads a local shop used on the Mustang warped the rotors to the point of being throw aways. On my MB the pads have 29K miles, still good. One thing to note, these are not bargain pads, be prepared to spend some money.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 269
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From: Henderson, NV
Alabaster White C230K Grey Int. and 2003 C32 pewter/charcoal gray
I was informed by my service tech that after market pads doesnt stop as good as the oem pads...which i kidda doubt..because of what people say here at the forum...i would probably go with aftermarket cause i trust the people here more than my service tech...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
There are pads that are worse and better than the MB pads, so he's half right anyway. Just search the forums (not just C-Class) to see what people use and what they are happy with. MB does not make their own pads but gets them from Pagid, Jurid or Textar so if you see those for sale they are pretty much like stock but usually cheaper. Aftermarket includes EBC, Porterfield and Mintex last time I checked but I'm sure there are others out there.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Turn rear brake pistons Buellwinkle?
"The rears do require more skill as you have to turn the caliper piston with a special tool..." You must be thinking of another car as the W203 rear brake pistons just require pressure to push them in. The piston faces are neither slotted nor dimpled. At least that's the way my car is. My vote is for the Porterfields on the front. I used Griot's ceramic paste and never had any noise....but I did have squeeling with the stock pads!
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 112
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From: dfw Texas
w203 kompressor
Buellwinkle
i am about to get my pads done too. are there any after market rotors that you could suggest or that you have heard good things about? I figured you may know a little on the subject.
Charlie
Charlie
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Some people like the Porterfield Rotors what have been slotted and cryogenically treated but I have no personal experience. If you want factory rotors at a decent price, ask Hoen MB in Carlsbad, CA for their wholesale price. Keep in mind that by the time you get pads and rotors you may want to consider the AMG brakes that people seem to get for about $600 with brembo calipers and cross drilled rotors.
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