Why doesn't my rear rotors have holes in it like my front rotors?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7
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From: Orange County, CA
2008 c300
Why doesn't my rear rotors have holes in it like my front rotors?
I have a 2008 c300 6 speed manual sport and i just noticed that my rear rotors have no holes. But the front do. I think that would explain why my rear wheels are constantly dirty with brake dust and my front wheels are not. Im just curious to know why the rear rotors are designed like this?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,601
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From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C300 Sport 6 Speed Manual, 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, 2015 Audi allroad, 1963 Chevy Apache
Drilled rotors are supposed to cool down faster though I have my doubts of how well the small holes in our rotors work to improve things. The fronts take most of the braking load so they are bigger and drilled.
The rears tend to get dirtier due to EBP(electronic brake proportioning) which brakes the rears more that the fronts in straight line stops. MB has a bulletin out for rear pad replacement on 2008 modesl as the original stock pads throw off more dust than was deemed acceptable.
The rears tend to get dirtier due to EBP(electronic brake proportioning) which brakes the rears more that the fronts in straight line stops. MB has a bulletin out for rear pad replacement on 2008 modesl as the original stock pads throw off more dust than was deemed acceptable.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21
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From: SE Wisconsin
2016 C450 AMG, 2011 BMW Z4 35i, 2009 Cadillac STS, 2011 Infiniti QX56
On many applications the front rotors are drilled (holes in them) and the rears not because the fronts are taking the brunt of the punishment when braking hard. The holes help dissipate heat to avoid brake fade. Not sure if the holes help keep dust off but it is possible.
The main reason your rears have more dust is because MB applies more braking power to the rear brakes during normal braking. They do this to make stopping less " nose down" and therefore more "comfortable". Other companies tend to apply more pressure to the fronts no matter how hard the braking is. MB does apply more pressure to the fronts during hard braking and that's probably why they drill them.
The main reason your rears have more dust is because MB applies more braking power to the rear brakes during normal braking. They do this to make stopping less " nose down" and therefore more "comfortable". Other companies tend to apply more pressure to the fronts no matter how hard the braking is. MB does apply more pressure to the fronts during hard braking and that's probably why they drill them.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21
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From: SE Wisconsin
2016 C450 AMG, 2011 BMW Z4 35i, 2009 Cadillac STS, 2011 Infiniti QX56
Regarding the bulletin on 2008 pads. I have a 2008 also. Have about 65K miles. Still have about 50% (according to Midas) on the original rear pads and yes they do dust more than I would think is normal.
Any ideas when that bulletin came out and chances of getting them replaced?
Any ideas when that bulletin came out and chances of getting them replaced?
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 506
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From: Argyle, TX
10 Tahoe LT, 07 Silverado Z71, 99 BMW R1100RT
