rcalcaide

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

AdaMBombC32G

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

Jon Winter

Buy the Porterfields.

Zeppelin

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.

AdaMBombC32G

which ones, where and how much should i expect to pay for all 4 pads?

Zeppelin

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

rcalcaide

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?

rrf

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.

AdaMBombC32G

does anyone recomend some ceramic low dusting brake pads that dont have problems or squeeeeeeal?? thanks

Dead Ringer

was this issue with the "floating pads" ever resolved??

AdaMBombC32G

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.

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

moosejaw

Live with the noise or put back n your stock brake pads
No fix i know of

AdaMBombC32G

I couldn't figure out how to get rid of the sound but i have sold my car since so good luck!

W203Ramos

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

Viper98912

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.

loudandheard

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