I read and followed the past thread on those who installed the AMG brakes off the C32 onto their CLK's, and it seemed to be very contraversial, to say the least.
I decided to do a bit of researching ( things to do to keep busy!!), and found that, although it was mentioned by some, that the rotors on ALL AMG models only come with left front rotors!!
Now, I've done a bit of racing in my past, and I'm a pretty good wrench, so this subject really got my interest up.
I read about those who said that is was a "wrong" application and other expert reasons why it wasn't a good idea and such, BUT, being the stubbord cuss that I am, I wanted to know why and so forth.
Well, after taking many hours on the phone talking to known experts in the field, and discussing this so called leading edge vs. trailing edge, it has become very obvious that MB doesn't seem to think it's much of a problem seeing that they have only one rotor part # for either left or right front wheel.
If the left rotor is made to cool with the vanes running in a certain direction ( which they do), then it is the Wrong direction on the right front wheel and therefore becomes a leading edge rotor instead!!
I have found that Brembo is more than willing to make a "correct" turning rotor if asked, but can only do what MB specs out.
I don't know what some lawyer will think when he finds out that his $140K SL55 AMG is running a technically wrong aplication ( gee, I wish I could spell!!), but one such lawyer got MB's attention with just an oil change issue, so the class action suit will be interesting.
I understand performance shops not wanting to sell parts that could get them into a legal issue, but this leading vs. trailing edge justification doesn't ring true.
I'm willing to do such a mod on my car, but I wanted to know more about it first, and I think I've found my answers now. I'm just glad I hadn't spent that 140K to find out about it.
Comments are welcome;
Jim

 

Your research is slightly incorrect.

The W163 ML55, W208 CLK55, W202 C43, and W210 E50/E55 all come with separate left/right applications for the front rotors. I believe the W463 G55 does too, but I can't remember for sure.

Any AMG model with CROSS-DRILLED front rotors has a left application rotor on both sides.

By the way, although Brembo manufactures the calipers, the rotors are no longer manufactured by Brembo (on the cross-drilled applications).

p.s. leading vs. trailing has to do with the calipers, not the rotors. It refers to where the caliper is mounted in relation to the axle. The issue with swapping a caliper around with differential sized pistons is that the piston order will be incorrect.

-s-

 

so given that the pistons are firing in the incorrect order, is that a safety concern at all? and would the pistons be firing within milliseconds of each other each time you depress the brakes?

if so, do those milli/nanoseconds make any difference???

 

Yeah, Id love to know more about the C32 brakes (13.6in)...
anyone knows what is the size of the stock W208 CLK430 brake rotor?
What about the size of the W208 CLK55 brakes?

Thanks

 

If you would do a search, you would find your answers... except maybe the CLK430 rotor size, which you could find on the web.

-s-

 

The pistons do not fire in incorrect order. Engineering principles dictate that pressure applied evenly to two different sized pistons will move the pistons at the same time and same rate, assuming the pressure is sufficient to overcome any friction, and that the friction is equivalent on both pistons.

The difference is that the pressure exerted by each piston is different... you know how pressure is expressed in terms like "100lbs per square inch"? Well, that "square inch" is an area measurement, and the different sized pistons have different sized areas to which pressure is applied. The pistons then transfer these different amounts of pressure to the brake pads.

Why do the pressures differ by design? To promote even pad wear, to reduce brake noise, and to increase braking efficiency. Brembo (and other manufacturers) have done all the work to figure this out, why should we try and second guess them or even use the calipers completely opposite of how they were designed?

It could be considered a safety issue when your pad is completely tapered in the wrong direction, chatters because of the improper toe, doesn't stop very well because proper pressure isn't being applied over the whole pad, and has several millimeters of pad where the sensor is but has metal grinding against the rotors on the other end!

-s-

 

Can i buy Zimmerman cross drilled rotors for the C32 Brake kit?

 

thanks for the explanation...

don't flame me for my stupidity, but, could you put the left brakes on the right side, and vice-versa??? wouldn't that put the pistons in the correct place? or is that something that is not possible to do...

again, I know nothing about brakes... i'm just trying to picture it in my little head...

 

I meant to say that all current shipping AMG models have and use only the left front rotor, so in theory, when you flip that left rotor around to use on the right side, then it no longer is a trailing edge brake; the drill pattern and fins are now turning in the wrong direction; my parts manager ( I don't work there ) was in jaw dropping mode when he found out about this himself ( after speaking with a known expert in the field himself) and by gosh, you're right; in past models i.e. an SL 600 AMG, they have left and right fitting rotors.
I'm not sure why you say that Brembo doesn't make the cross drilled rotors, as it was explained to me that they do in fact produce them ( in Mexico, along with their other rotors) for MB.
My point is, that if they are correct for the left front, then in fact, they are incorrect for the right front!
In another side note, drilled rotors are not as efficient as slotted rotors, and add to the warp factor in rotor use. Looks good though!
My theory on the matter is this; if MB thinks it's OK to have only a left rotor for their AMG ( current models), then they must know more than we do, or don't care ( which I find a little hard to believe), and feel that the ABS, EPS, and all the other computer functions built into their braking systems, then outside of maybe excess wear on right front rotors and pads, they must be safe!!! Besides, who would ever go out and race a stock AMG model MB?
just another $.02 worth of comment.

 

Actually, the ML55 is a currently shipping AMG model, and it still has different left/right application.

If Brembo owns the factory that makes the rotors in Mexico, that may be true. But Brembo stamps their parts generally (look at the calipers, or rotors for a C36, or the Sport rotors). The MB rotors are generally stamped by the supplier. The new crossdrilled MB rotors only have a star logo on them... so it isn't in line with normal Brembo manufacturing.

Again, trailing vs. leading application is for calipers, not rotors. Rotors are directional, but I've not heard those terms applied to rotors. Maybe something new?

-s-

 

I generally don't flame people, but some may take it that way.

If you put the left caliper on the right side and vice versa, that is exactly what happens: the pistons get flipped around because the wheel is rotating the opposite direction. This is what people are doing (flipping the caliper sides) and that's what's happening, the rotor is going the wrong direction in the caliper.

It takes some imagination, so if you can't see it, try it with something small as a model to visualize it.

-s-