Can front brake pads cause steering wheel and pedal vibration when braking?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 208
Likes: 22
2016 C300 4MATIC
Can front brake pads cause steering wheel and pedal vibration when braking?
Hey guys,
Happy new year everyone! I took my car to the dealership because I've been noticing slight vibrations in the steering wheel and brake pedal when braking hard from a high speed and also in some city traffic. The car has 7,000 miles on it so it is pretty new. I assumed it might just be a rotor that has a hot spot on it or something minor just being misaligned. However, I got a call from the dealership today that they're keeping the car overnight to replace the brake pads under warranty since that is the cause of the issue.
I'm kind of curious if you think that may be the actual cause and if it's likely when I receive it back it will be fixed. Of course I'll bring it back if it still exists but I'm hoping to get your opinions if the brake pad might actually be the cause. I did a quick online search and *most* websites claim that usually the rotors cause vibrations not the brake pads.
Happy new year everyone! I took my car to the dealership because I've been noticing slight vibrations in the steering wheel and brake pedal when braking hard from a high speed and also in some city traffic. The car has 7,000 miles on it so it is pretty new. I assumed it might just be a rotor that has a hot spot on it or something minor just being misaligned. However, I got a call from the dealership today that they're keeping the car overnight to replace the brake pads under warranty since that is the cause of the issue.
I'm kind of curious if you think that may be the actual cause and if it's likely when I receive it back it will be fixed. Of course I'll bring it back if it still exists but I'm hoping to get your opinions if the brake pad might actually be the cause. I did a quick online search and *most* websites claim that usually the rotors cause vibrations not the brake pads.
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 168
Likes: 26
2017 C300 Coupe (C205)
99% of the time, vibrations are caused by uneven pad deposits on the rotors. Turning (or replacing) the rotors should fix it.
Uneven pad deposits usually come from lots of hard braking (heating up the pads and rotors) and coming to full and complete stops and allowing them to cool in the stopped position.
Uneven pad deposits usually come from lots of hard braking (heating up the pads and rotors) and coming to full and complete stops and allowing them to cool in the stopped position.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 812
Likes: 86
From: Springboro, OH
16 GLC 19 Volvo XC40 06Corvette Z06
In many instances steering wheel/brake pedal pulsations under heavy braking is caused by excessive linear runout of one or more brake rotors.
Last edited by larrypmyers; Jan 4, 2017 at 01:11 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 505
Likes: 58
From: Gold Coast, Oz.
C300 S205 AMG, GLA 45 AMG
I had this issue.
It was created by using recent iron dissolving wheel cleaner products (that turn purple when turning ferrous iron into solution).
The area hidden behind the calliper during washing had ferrous iron and brake dust buildup remaining on it while the rest of the disc did not.
This caused pulsing on the breaks, more evident at highway speed simply as the frequency is higher..
After I figured out what was happening I simply recleaned the callipers and rotors with the same products but ensured to role the car forward so as to clean the entire rotor. Mercedes tech even rode in the car and were ready to replace rotors. Once I figured it out I let them know.
If you don't use it then perhaps your detailer or local wash does?
if you want to get some so you can clean them thoroughly to eliminate this possible issue look up Iron-X by Carpro....
All the best.
It was created by using recent iron dissolving wheel cleaner products (that turn purple when turning ferrous iron into solution).
The area hidden behind the calliper during washing had ferrous iron and brake dust buildup remaining on it while the rest of the disc did not.
This caused pulsing on the breaks, more evident at highway speed simply as the frequency is higher..
After I figured out what was happening I simply recleaned the callipers and rotors with the same products but ensured to role the car forward so as to clean the entire rotor. Mercedes tech even rode in the car and were ready to replace rotors. Once I figured it out I let them know.
If you don't use it then perhaps your detailer or local wash does?
if you want to get some so you can clean them thoroughly to eliminate this possible issue look up Iron-X by Carpro....
All the best.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 208
Likes: 22
2016 C300 4MATIC
Update: I just received the car from the dealership and it turns out the person who spoke to me on the phone didn't tell me the full details. Apparently, they replaced the brake pads and the rotors as well as some sensors, etc... Basically they opted to replace the whole braking system and it is definitely a night and day difference in driving now. The brakes feel nice and smooth and no vibration anywhere in the car. Couldn't be happier with the results, and I'm really impressed with how MB handles warranty claims so far.
Super Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 613
Likes: 42
From: NYC
2014 C300
I had this issue.
It was created by using recent iron dissolving wheel cleaner products (that turn purple when turning ferrous iron into solution).
The area hidden behind the calliper during washing had ferrous iron and brake dust buildup remaining on it while the rest of the disc did not.
This caused pulsing on the breaks, more evident at highway speed simply as the frequency is higher..
After I figured out what was happening I simply recleaned the callipers and rotors with the same products but ensured to role the car forward so as to clean the entire rotor. Mercedes tech even rode in the car and were ready to replace rotors. Once I figured it out I let them know.
If you don't use it then perhaps your detailer or local wash does?
if you want to get some so you can clean them thoroughly to eliminate this possible issue look up Iron-X by Carpro....
All the best.
It was created by using recent iron dissolving wheel cleaner products (that turn purple when turning ferrous iron into solution).
The area hidden behind the calliper during washing had ferrous iron and brake dust buildup remaining on it while the rest of the disc did not.
This caused pulsing on the breaks, more evident at highway speed simply as the frequency is higher..
After I figured out what was happening I simply recleaned the callipers and rotors with the same products but ensured to role the car forward so as to clean the entire rotor. Mercedes tech even rode in the car and were ready to replace rotors. Once I figured it out I let them know.
If you don't use it then perhaps your detailer or local wash does?
if you want to get some so you can clean them thoroughly to eliminate this possible issue look up Iron-X by Carpro....
All the best.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 505
Likes: 58
From: Gold Coast, Oz.
C300 S205 AMG, GLA 45 AMG
Agree they all stink but I don't care, they are exceptionally effective at removing ferrous iron fallout, be it wheels brakes wheel wells or the vehicle body...
I use autosmart red 7 for day to day cleaning. And iron X when I am doing paint prep for correction... Simply due to cost...
I use autosmart red 7 for day to day cleaning. And iron X when I am doing paint prep for correction... Simply due to cost...
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CLS
Update: I just received the car from the dealership and it turns out the person who spoke to me on the phone didn't tell me the full details. Apparently, they replaced the brake pads and the rotors as well as some sensors, etc... Basically they opted to replace the whole braking system and it is definitely a night and day difference in driving now. The brakes feel nice and smooth and no vibration anywhere in the car. Couldn't be happier with the results, and I'm really impressed with how MB handles warranty claims so far.
