Brake pads overlap rotors - now what?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 42
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2006 CL230 / 2006 Saab 9-3
Brake pads overlap rotors - now what?
Just replaced the front rotors on my 2006 C230 Sport. Checked several aftermarket specs including Zimmerman and they all listed the non sport package as 288mm and the sport package as 330mm diameter. So I bought and installed a set of 288mm front rotors. HOWEVER all were wrong because the rotors I removed are 300mm and now the brake pads overlap the outer edge of the rotors by approx. 5mm.
On the positive the overlap would eliminate the creation of the typical outer edge lip. Should I leave this set-up or should I possibly sand down the pads to match the rotors?
On the positive the overlap would eliminate the creation of the typical outer edge lip. Should I leave this set-up or should I possibly sand down the pads to match the rotors?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 571
Likes: 92
From: New England! :-)
2005 C230K Sport Coupe
You must get the correct rotors.
Otherwise, keep that car off public roads.
If you kept the pads, the pads would stick/catch on the edge, and wouldn't fully retract.
If you sanded down the pad edges (WTF?!?), the pads would have a tendency to fall apart at that area. Also, you'd have greatly reduced braking ability.
Otherwise, keep that car off public roads.
If you kept the pads, the pads would stick/catch on the edge, and wouldn't fully retract.
If you sanded down the pad edges (WTF?!?), the pads would have a tendency to fall apart at that area. Also, you'd have greatly reduced braking ability.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
2006 CL230 / 2006 Saab 9-3
You must get the correct rotors.
Otherwise, keep that car off public roads.
If you kept the pads, the pads would stick/catch on the edge, and wouldn't fully retract.
If you sanded down the pad edges (WTF?!?), the pads would have a tendency to fall apart at that area. Also, you'd have greatly reduced braking ability.
Otherwise, keep that car off public roads.
If you kept the pads, the pads would stick/catch on the edge, and wouldn't fully retract.
If you sanded down the pad edges (WTF?!?), the pads would have a tendency to fall apart at that area. Also, you'd have greatly reduced braking ability.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 571
Likes: 92
From: New England! :-)
2005 C230K Sport Coupe
I just checked out 330mm rotors for a 2006 C230. Huh??
Seems like just about everyone makes the ricer/show drilled and/or slotted front rotors. :-P
Yea, 13" rotors and dual piston calipers on an ~3500lb car is a good amount of braking. But, with top quality Summer-only Ultra Performance tires (and working ABS), the braking system with a good solid rotor is still the limiting factor when braking above ~70mph.
My guess is that with typical tires (or any all season tire), the tires would be the limiting braking factor.
So, yea, slotted or drilled sport rotors aren't "horrible" on a sport C230 with 330mm brakes.
Still, fwiw, I did find one good solid front rotor for a 2006 C230 with the sport package.
Wagner BD180142
Btw, when going down a mountain (plenty of them here in New England, along with great hiking
), then the brakes will be the limiting factor (because of heating up). So, then, I'd suggest staying with a solid front rotor.For people in Florida and other similar locations, this is what mountains, and mountain top views, look like:
Last edited by RedGray; Sep 24, 2016 at 02:33 PM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 546
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From: Cumberland, RI U.S.A.
2005 C230WZ SS Capri Blue/Ash
Being that your car is C230 Sport, you should have gone with the 330mm sport rotors and not the smaller 288mm rotors that are found on the non-Sport versions of the W203.
Yes...definitely need to get the correct sized rotors.
-- Cintoman
Yes...definitely need to get the correct sized rotors.
-- Cintoman
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 42
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2006 CL230 / 2006 Saab 9-3
They call this model "Sport" but the sport package was an option. And to make it more confusing they build it with 300mm front rotors . Have finally sorted things out and have installed the proper 300mm rotors with ceramic pads. The ceramic pads is another matter and I regret for installing them. They stop ok but the car seems to have lost that very positive braking feel.
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Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 228
Likes: 39
From: Peoria, IL
2007 C350 2015 ML400 1968 Ford Mustang
I second the Akebono ceramic pads. I tried some Advance auto store brand ceramic pads and they sucked. Didn't stop well at all. Ordered up some Akebonos, night and day difference.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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2006 CL230 / 2006 Saab 9-3
Do a few panic stops and then inspect
after several controlled panic stops I removed and inspected the ceramic pads and noted that they became severely pitted with craters and portions splintered at their edges. Called the supplier and was told that that's the nature of ceramics and would be just fine for the wife to take the kids to school and gentle driving. The replaced my ceramics with bi-metallics and all is fine once again.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
2006 CL230 / 2006 Saab 9-3
after several controlled panic stops I removed and inspected the ceramic pads and noted that they became severely pitted with craters and portions splintered at their edges. Called the supplier and was told that that's the nature of ceramics and would be just fine for the wife to take the kids to school and gentle driving. The replaced my ceramics with bi-metallics and all is fine once again.
