C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

brake pads sliding in calipers...need advice

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Old Oct 6, 2005 | 03:52 PM
  #1  
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2003 C32 AMG
brake pads sliding in calipers...need advice

I purchased a set of Akebuno ceramic brake pads from Tirerack for the front calipers of my C32. They are great in terms of stopping and minimal brake dust. I wipe my rims down once a week instead of once a day. But...

When I initially step on the brakes going forward or backwards, my front brakes make a clicking/clanging noise. I had the shop who put them on check this out, and you can clearly see the pads sliding slightly forward or backwards in the caliper. The pads are identical in size to OEM MB brake pads. Is my mechanic missing something? did we forget a part? Other than this, the brakes work fine. its just that initial step on the brakes going forward or reverse. Obviously, the pads "lodge up" in the front or rear of the caliper and I dont get this clicking/clanging sound while driving. Guys.. please help!

thanks,

R
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Old Oct 6, 2005 | 05:26 PM
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NEW 08' M6 CAB, 06' 997 911 CS CAB, 09' RX350 AWD, 10' E350 4M, 10' Range Rover; FS: 04' C32 AMG= FS
hey, i was considering purchasing these pads from tirerack...
do you know how they compare to the porterfields everyone is talking about and how much was the set for all 4?, thanks
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Old Oct 6, 2005 | 05:55 PM
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Buy the Porterfields.
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Old Oct 6, 2005 | 08:19 PM
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The brake pads float on the slide pins. There are slots in the brake pads that these pins go through so I can imagine that they will move slightly forward and aft. They should not be making any detectable noise.
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 12:41 AM
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NEW 08' M6 CAB, 06' 997 911 CS CAB, 09' RX350 AWD, 10' E350 4M, 10' Range Rover; FS: 04' C32 AMG= FS
PORTERFIELDS, which ones

Originally Posted by Jon Winter
Buy the Porterfields.
which ones, where and how much should i expect to pay for all 4 pads?
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 01:25 AM
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Originally Posted by AdaMBombC32G
which ones, where and how much should i expect to pay for all 4 pads?
The Porterfields***SQUEEEEAL** cost about ***SQUEEEEEAL** $150 ***SQUEEEEEAL*** . I will sell you my **SQUEEEEAL*** porterfields.
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 10:39 AM
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Upon taking off the wheel and looking at the caliper with the pads in, you can see the pads floating on the slide pins. the hole in the akebono pads and OEM MB pads are the same diameter. But... when the pads float initally foward or backwards they make the clink/clank noise. And my OEM's never made this noise. Im wonder if my mechanic forgot to put something back on.

Any ideas guys?
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 12:46 PM
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Missing the springs?

I believe there is a spring that sits between the pins and the back of the pads/caliper. They probably installed without it.

If the springs ARE there then you could use the antisqueel paste, but this sounds like a spring prob.
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 01:03 PM
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NEW 08' M6 CAB, 06' 997 911 CS CAB, 09' RX350 AWD, 10' E350 4M, 10' Range Rover; FS: 04' C32 AMG= FS
what about

Originally Posted by Zeppelin
The Porterfields***SQUEEEEAL** cost about ***SQUEEEEEAL** $150 ***SQUEEEEEAL*** . I will sell you my **SQUEEEEAL*** porterfields.

does anyone recomend some ceramic low dusting brake pads that dont have problems or squeeeeeeal?? thanks
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Old Nov 30, 2005 | 01:11 PM
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was this issue with the "floating pads" ever resolved??
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Old Nov 30, 2005 | 03:41 PM
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NEW 08' M6 CAB, 06' 997 911 CS CAB, 09' RX350 AWD, 10' E350 4M, 10' Range Rover; FS: 04' C32 AMG= FS
dont know

Originally Posted by Dead Ringer
was this issue with the "floating pads" ever resolved??
i installed the Akebono euro ceramic pads (from tirerack.com) couple of weeks ago and the only time i hear anything is when i first start up my car say in the morning and its cold. after a little pressure on the brakes the noise is gone.
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Old Nov 25, 2010 | 11:47 AM
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I'm having the same problem with my C55 - Akebono ceramics installe 2 months ago that are clicking the first time I stop in reverse and forward. What did you end up doing to fix this... Thanks
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Old Nov 25, 2010 | 01:58 PM
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Live with the noise or put back n your stock brake pads
No fix i know of
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Old Nov 25, 2010 | 06:23 PM
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NEW 08' M6 CAB, 06' 997 911 CS CAB, 09' RX350 AWD, 10' E350 4M, 10' Range Rover; FS: 04' C32 AMG= FS
Originally Posted by gdan7
I'm having the same problem with my C55 - Akebono ceramics installe 2 months ago that are clicking the first time I stop in reverse and forward. What did you end up doing to fix this... Thanks

I couldn't figure out how to get rid of the sound but i have sold my car since so good luck!
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Old Nov 26, 2010 | 11:43 PM
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i am on my 2nd set of the akebono's on all 4's, I have the same initial "clinck" this is normal. i can live with the sound more than the black brake dust from the old oem's, just my 2 cents
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Old Nov 27, 2010 | 05:58 AM
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Jeez, I just bought a full set of new brakes front and rear, looks like I'll be swapping out those shims onto the new Akebono pads.
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 01:19 PM
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I just did the install on 4 corners to akebono pads and I have not had a single problem. When the pads were installed, did everyone do the bed in process. I think a lot of problems stem from not doing the bed in process or not doing it correctly. I have also had a the porterfield rs4 pads in the front and the difference in stopping power of the akebono pads was negligible, but I never did track the car. I also did not have any squealing with the porterfield pads.

I would suggest checking to see if they reinstalled the center portion that keeps the pads from moving inside the caliper. The way the pad is installed is, anti-squeal paste on the rear of both pads and then you insert them, you push one pin through and fit the metal looking clip, kind of looks like a W, then you insert it all the way through once it's lined up correctly in the W-looking clip, and then do the other side and you're done.

I had some one do my porterfield pads the first time and it ate up one of my rotors after 40k miles, I think it was the lack of bedding in.

Check out this link and tell me if you followed a similar process and to the people having the problem with click pads, check to see if the W-looking clip is in place correctly or at all.
http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm
http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_bedintheory.shtml
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