Jun 24, 2015, 12:09 PM
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Screeching Brakes
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 98
From: Northeast USA
AMG CLE 53
Screeching Brakes
For about the last week there has been a very loud screech/squeal coming from the brakes of my C400. It seems to have started as the temperatures got very cold, but who knows. As I come to a stop, it sounds like I'm scraping against an aluminum wall. It only happens for the first couple of brake applications (in Drive and Reverse) then everything seems fine while driving. The problem recurs after the car sits for a while. The sound is not just a slight squeak, it's loud enough that bystanders look to see what the heck is making that noise.
Has anyone else experienced this with the new C Class?
I have an appointment at MB on January 19th. I'll add this to the door handle light malfunction and poor fitting bumper/ tail lights issues.
Has anyone else experienced this with the new C Class?
I have an appointment at MB on January 19th. I'll add this to the door handle light malfunction and poor fitting bumper/ tail lights issues.
Last edited by BenzC400; Feb 2, 2015 at 03:00 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 332
Likes: 10
From: Las Vegas NV
Corvette/2017 E-300
I actually had a similar experience...I rarely park my car outside (normally garaged). But did so last week when temps here got to low 30's...and yes when I backed up the brakes definitely screeched...also did it in "D" when I stopped. It hasn't done it since but it did happen that one time. Good luck...I'm not sure what caused it but I too attributed it to extreme cold temperatures.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 480
Likes: 33
From: Waterloo, Ontario Canada
C300 4Matic Tenorite Grey
Just started for me as well when it just got really cold here. Seems to only happen in reverse after sitting and only for the first few applications. But gawd is it ever freaking loud!
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
2015 C300
Also started happening on my C300 Sport in the last few days with the single degree temperatures. It's very loud and somewhat embarrassing pulling out of my community in a 3 week old car making that much noise. I'm hoping it's only temporary and will cease once the breaks wear more but after my recent experience with the MB-tex seats I won't hold my breath 
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
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15 C300 Sport SOLD!!! :)
This has been happpening to my car for the past two weeks. My garage is warm/insulated, but some mornings (not all, not today when it was 1F outside), the brakes squeal loudly on the first two applications, then all is quiet. It also happens at the end of the work day when I back out to drive home (car outside).
I've had drilled rotors before (Porsche) and many other German cars but none have squeaked since the 1970s. I have this on my list for my first service (10k miles, should be late March), unless it becomes worse or intolerable.
I've had drilled rotors before (Porsche) and many other German cars but none have squeaked since the 1970s. I have this on my list for my first service (10k miles, should be late March), unless it becomes worse or intolerable.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 362
Likes: 10
From: In a box
2019 C43 Sedan and 2020 Volvo V60 CC
I've been experiencing this off and on since I've owned the car and it's really, really loud. I live in a condo near some railroad tracks and my Nanny heard it and thought it was a train! 
I've owned plenty of cars over the years and have rarely if ever had to deal with brake squeal, this is more like a groaning sound than a high pitched squeal we all associate with brakes. I've attempted hard braking in forward and reverse and it doesn't seem to help. I swear it's another temp related issue...when it's warm outside the brakes never make the sound but the days it's below freezing it almost always happens, especially in reverse.
I've owned plenty of cars over the years and have rarely if ever had to deal with brake squeal, this is more like a groaning sound than a high pitched squeal we all associate with brakes. I've attempted hard braking in forward and reverse and it doesn't seem to help. I swear it's another temp related issue...when it's warm outside the brakes never make the sound but the days it's below freezing it almost always happens, especially in reverse.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 362
Likes: 10
From: In a box
2019 C43 Sedan and 2020 Volvo V60 CC
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Do the bed in procedure. If it persists after that then post. You have to achieve proper pad material deposition on the discs/rotors.
Where are you? The cars should have Brembo rotors with Pagid pads.
How much black dust are you seeing? Is there any grittiness to the brake feel/noise? Almost slight grinding?
Where are you? The cars should have Brembo rotors with Pagid pads.
How much black dust are you seeing? Is there any grittiness to the brake feel/noise? Almost slight grinding?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 362
Likes: 10
From: In a box
2019 C43 Sedan and 2020 Volvo V60 CC
I've already performed a bed-in proceedure, that's why I'm posting in this thread...something doesn't just seem right.
I've got the black 19" AMG wheels and it's very easy to see dust on the surface, I haven't noticed anything unusual. The pedal feel is fine...I'll capture a video with my phone the next time I back it out of my garage and post here.
I've got the black 19" AMG wheels and it's very easy to see dust on the surface, I haven't noticed anything unusual. The pedal feel is fine...I'll capture a video with my phone the next time I back it out of my garage and post here.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Pagid pads give off a fair amount of black dust, especially up front. They, however, give excellent bite & feel & are quiet. We have not suffered brake noise on SA W205 production. We don't suffer US temperature extremes. If you are in NA they may have changed pad supplier for local production. Make them fit a new OE set of Pagid pads if the problem continues.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Jan 10, 2015 at 02:41 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2015 C300
I am currently facing the same exact problem with my new 2015 C300 that I leased in November. The dealer took the car and replaced the rotors. This did not help. We then placed a complaint with MBUSA and had it escalated to a Case Manager. We were notified today that MBUSA will take no action. No make-good offer, nothing. I don't know where to go from here. As said previously, this noise is LOUD, uncomfortable, and embarrassing. I am at a loss.
This video gives you an idea of the noise. It does not do it justice as it can be MUCH louder.
This video gives you an idea of the noise. It does not do it justice as it can be MUCH louder.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Is this a US issue or a global issue? Pad material post asbestos has a huge influence. US production might not be using Pagid pads.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
This noise is normal for high performance brake pads. The reason you hear this noise is because of the cold. If you have ever been to a racetrack you will hear the same noise until the brakes have warmed up.
You can get aftermarket pads that will get rid of the brake dust and squealing but it will not bite as hard and the brake pedal feel may be a little softer but not too noticeable on the street.
You can get aftermarket pads that will get rid of the brake dust and squealing but it will not bite as hard and the brake pedal feel may be a little softer but not too noticeable on the street.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 911
Likes: 22
From: Ottawa, Canada
2014 C63 507, 2012 R350
I am currently facing the same exact problem with my new 2015 C300 that I leased in November. The dealer took the car and replaced the rotors. This did not help. We then placed a complaint with MBUSA and had it escalated to a Case Manager. We were notified today that MBUSA will take no action. No make-good offer, nothing. I don't know where to go from here. As said previously, this noise is LOUD, uncomfortable, and embarrassing. I am at a loss.
This video gives you an idea of the noise. It does not do it justice as it can be MUCH louder.
New 2015 Mercedes Benz C300 Squeaky Breaks - YouTube
This video gives you an idea of the noise. It does not do it justice as it can be MUCH louder.
New 2015 Mercedes Benz C300 Squeaky Breaks - YouTube
Holy **** that is bad! I am laughing as I listen to your video, because mine does it too, but only after the first application. By the end of the video after the 3rd or 4th time, I laughed at my computer, sorry! People don't realize how loud it is, but it is as loud as it sounds.
yesterday, when reversing out of my parking spot, -20 C here, it was exactly like that, super loud that it startled the guy beside me in the lot, and he was laughing at the loser in his German fancy shmancy car. I have never, ever, heard brake noise as this.
Mine, squeal, by the way, when slowing down at the first application of the brakes, almost like a chirp for 1 second, then nothing. But this is epic squealing lol
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
2015 C300 Luxury
Same thing here...
It's probably not a real "issue" per se. It's just the brakes do that due to their material.
It happens every morning or after a few hours of non-use. Needs to brake hard a few times and then the screeching goes away.
My friend's Q5 does the same thing and dealer say's it's normal. My Range Rover didn't have it but didn't have the same braking bite (and probably different material brakes so...).
Chalk it up to engineering compromise, not necessarily a defect.
It's probably not a real "issue" per se. It's just the brakes do that due to their material.
It happens every morning or after a few hours of non-use. Needs to brake hard a few times and then the screeching goes away.
My friend's Q5 does the same thing and dealer say's it's normal. My Range Rover didn't have it but didn't have the same braking bite (and probably different material brakes so...).
Chalk it up to engineering compromise, not necessarily a defect.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I want to know if the pad supplier is still Pagid. Must do some scratching. I wonder if Vic can comment on European experience.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: boston MA
2015 C400
wow saw that video and that sound is really annoying.. I live in Boston where it gets really cold as well. So i tested my c400s braking and haven't heard any noise like that ::crossing fingers::
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
'13 C350, '13 GLK250
Wow, I've had the occasional break squeal on a few of my vehicles but this takes the cake. IMO it's NOT normal. Another supplier issue with the pads spec'd for the Alabama built cars? Hope not.
