CLK550 Brake Pads
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White CLK550
CLK550 Brake Pads
So It's time for new brake pads and I came across Stoptechs. I was originally just going to go with OEM but these stoptechs have gotten great reviews on other cars but with after searching on here I haven't seen anybody that has used them on stock rotors. Have any of you guys tried them? Im not looking to sacrifice any brake power for less brake dust so the dust free pads are out of the question. I also don't want any squealing so I have a feeling that I'm going to end up with OEM pads unless somebody can recommend these stoptechs.
Do you guys have any suggestions for the cheapest place to buy OEM brake pads?
Do you guys have any suggestions for the cheapest place to buy OEM brake pads?
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I can't attest to actual quantitative data regarding stopping distances, but the Porterfields "feel" as good as stock OEM pads, and the stock pads that came on my CLK550 were pretty darn good. The Akebono pads felt like crap. Ironically, the car I've had with the best brakes was a BMW X3. I know that sounds odd that an SUV would have the best brakes, but if you look at its specs, it was rated at 60mph to 0 in 119ft. It bested almost every other vehicle of its time (not counting the usual supercars ) except for a few Porsches. And it was a 4,000lb+ SUV.
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From: Atlanta Metro
2008 clk550 - Navigator - Frontier
Can't help you with input on Stoptech. I replaced my pads with EBC (yellow) about 6 months ago. Very pleased with them. Had 1 true (unplanned) panic stop..... all stop and no fade. Brake dust is not a big issue for me. Others have used EBC reds which are low dust. I think the OEM pads are really good, as well.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: NW Chicago suburbs
'09 CLK550 & 2012 E350
Porterfield R4-S compound
Had these on a '93 300E and a '98 E430. Loved them on both cars. Still some slight dusting but braking power was excellent and they were gentle on the rotors.
I'll be getting a set for my CLK come Spring. ($169.95 direct from Porterfields)
Incidentally, what's the 60-0 stopping distance for CLK-550's on OEM brakes?
I'll be getting a set for my CLK come Spring. ($169.95 direct from Porterfields)
Incidentally, what's the 60-0 stopping distance for CLK-550's on OEM brakes?
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From: Planet Jupiter
2000 Volvo S40, 2006 Hummer H3, 2008 CLK550
the clk 550 stock brake pads are MONEY
probably the best ones for the price...if you don't mind the brake dust....
i don't mind...it makes my rims look like gunmetal coated after 3 weeks LOL
probably the best ones for the price...if you don't mind the brake dust....
i don't mind...it makes my rims look like gunmetal coated after 3 weeks LOL
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'09 CLK550 & 2012 E350
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If you're buying the Porterfields, I highly recommend getting them from Jerry at ForMyMercedes.com. They are the same price as direct from Porterfield, plus he ships "The Silencer" kit with it that includes the high-temp grease and other goodies for quiet brakes and no more rusted-on rotors and wheels. I paid $294 delivered for a full set F&R.
Oh, and on OEM pads, no special coating is needed for the wheels - the MBZ pad formula won't etch the wheels, but it will dust them up. Unlike BMW brakes that will not only dust the wheels, they are so bad they will leave pits on the rims.
Oh, and on OEM pads, no special coating is needed for the wheels - the MBZ pad formula won't etch the wheels, but it will dust them up. Unlike BMW brakes that will not only dust the wheels, they are so bad they will leave pits on the rims.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 128
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From: NW Chicago suburbs
'09 CLK550 & 2012 E350
If you're buying the Porterfields, I highly recommend getting them from Jerry at ForMyMercedes.com. They are the same price as direct from Porterfield, plus he ships "The Silencer" kit with it that includes the high-temp grease and other goodies for quiet brakes and no more rusted-on rotors and wheels. I paid $294 delivered for a full set F&R.
Oh, and on OEM pads, no special coating is needed for the wheels - the MBZ pad formula won't etch the wheels, but it will dust them up. Unlike BMW brakes that will not only dust the wheels, they are so bad they will leave pits on the rims.
Oh, and on OEM pads, no special coating is needed for the wheels - the MBZ pad formula won't etch the wheels, but it will dust them up. Unlike BMW brakes that will not only dust the wheels, they are so bad they will leave pits on the rims.
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Euro Cars Only
I can't attest to actual quantitative data regarding stopping distances, but the Porterfields "feel" as good as stock OEM pads, and the stock pads that came on my CLK550 were pretty darn good. The Akebono pads felt like crap. Ironically, the car I've had with the best brakes was a BMW X3. I know that sounds odd that an SUV would have the best brakes, but if you look at its specs, it was rated at 60mph to 0 in 119ft. It bested almost every other vehicle of its time (not counting the usual supercars ) except for a few Porsches. And it was a 4,000lb+ SUV.
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If you need new rotors, you can get OEM at parts.com, or you might look into frozenrotors.com. You can also get Centric rotors (good, but from China) on eBay. I don't know what the cost to install is, but the book rate for pads is about an hours, so if anyone wants more than $150 for the job, they are overcharging. Add another 2 hours for rotors and if you want the brake fluid replaced (prescribed every 2 years), that's another hour.
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From: Central Jersey
2011 E550 Cab & 2015 ML400
Can anyone recommend good pads that gives off very little brake dust? Thanks.
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The only think I liked about the Akebons was a lack of dust. Otherwise, they were crap. The pedal felt too soft, they did not stop well, and they began to squeak - loudly - in reverse. And I'm not the only one with those problems - search and you'll find similar stories. The Porterfields have generated some light dust, but nothing like OEMs, but they feel and stop great. I'd say they are the best bet over OEMs if you are looking to reduce dust. If you want the best feel and short stopping distance, stick with OEM.
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From: Central Jersey
2011 E550 Cab & 2015 ML400
The only think I liked about the Akebons was a lack of dust. Otherwise, they were crap. The pedal felt too soft, they did not stop well, and they began to squeak - loudly - in reverse. And I'm not the only one with those problems - search and you'll find similar stories. The Porterfields have generated some light dust, but nothing like OEMs, but they feel and stop great. I'd say they are the best bet over OEMs if you are looking to reduce dust. If you want the best feel and short stopping distance, stick with OEM.
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My CLK is my daily driver, but braking is still very important to me. I want to be able to stop when I need to and I just did not feel that the Akebono pads gave me any level of confidence whatsoever.
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From: Queens, NY
2009 clk-350 (Black) AMG, 2009 clk-550 (Pewter) AMG
^ Rudeney helped me pick out the Porterfields and i must say I LOVE THEM! i purchased the R1 concept rotors from Keven@r1 from this forum and the combo is awesome! yes, they are expensive but worth every penny!
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2009 CLK550 Coupe
Hey rudeney,
i just purchased a 2009 clk550 with 59k miles. I bought it from a reputable dealer. It’s a very clean car however I freaked out when I encountered several things. I was having a panic attack and called back the dealer and they said they would take care of it. I was hoping you could help put me at ease here.
The first thing I noticed was the shifting. It seems a tad harsher when shifting compared to my 05 clk320.
Second is the brakes started squealing at very low speed until coming to a stop. I seem to have to work around it with the brake petal to stop the noise!
The third thing is there is some slight vibration coming from the steering wheel. Not terrible though.
Fourth thing is I noticed the temp gauge would go up one bar and then down two. They’d fluctuate. Is that Normal? It was very hot out but I recall my clk320 never going back and fourth that much. Usually just one bar above the norm, then back again.
Last thing I noticed is the front passenger headlight seems to stick out a half inch or so. Doesn’t look awful and I didn’t even tell when first looking at the car. I recall you saying that most of the Clks have some kind of bumper issues because of the age. After this I freaked out and thought I’m screwed. The engine sounds great. Lots of power. Everything works. I looked underneath and saw no sign of leaks. Very dry underneath.
I really appreciate your response!
i just purchased a 2009 clk550 with 59k miles. I bought it from a reputable dealer. It’s a very clean car however I freaked out when I encountered several things. I was having a panic attack and called back the dealer and they said they would take care of it. I was hoping you could help put me at ease here.
The first thing I noticed was the shifting. It seems a tad harsher when shifting compared to my 05 clk320.
Second is the brakes started squealing at very low speed until coming to a stop. I seem to have to work around it with the brake petal to stop the noise!
The third thing is there is some slight vibration coming from the steering wheel. Not terrible though.
Fourth thing is I noticed the temp gauge would go up one bar and then down two. They’d fluctuate. Is that Normal? It was very hot out but I recall my clk320 never going back and fourth that much. Usually just one bar above the norm, then back again.
Last thing I noticed is the front passenger headlight seems to stick out a half inch or so. Doesn’t look awful and I didn’t even tell when first looking at the car. I recall you saying that most of the Clks have some kind of bumper issues because of the age. After this I freaked out and thought I’m screwed. The engine sounds great. Lots of power. Everything works. I looked underneath and saw no sign of leaks. Very dry underneath.
I really appreciate your response!
Last edited by Ghennes13; Jul 26, 2019 at 03:14 AM.
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Welcome to the forum! You might want to update your forum user's profile to include your location (at least country).
Your other car had the 5-speed 722.6 transmission. This car has the 7-speed 722.9. Some people do complain about hash shifts. There are some software updates the dealer can apply that might help. Also, the transmission fluid and filter needs to be changed every 60K miles. If this has not been done yet then I'd do that.
This is rare with OE pads, but common with aftermarket pads. Often it can be corrected with a proper lubricant applied tot he backs of the pads where they contact the calipers. I will say that I tried Akebono pads on my CLK550 and nothing I did would stop the squeal, so I went back to MBZ pads.
Tire balancing and an alignment should correct that.
The V8 generates a lot more heat and you will find the electric engine suction fan running more often. As long as the temp never exceeds 100C, I would not worry about it.
There are actually several adjustments for the headlight and bumper alignments. Given that the car is over 12 years old, it's likely it has been involved in some sort of minor crash that might have damaged the bumper or at least moved it a bit. This is just cosmetic and i would not worry about it.
The first thing I noticed was the shifting. It seems a tad harsher when shifting compared to my 05 clk320.
Your other car had the 5-speed 722.6 transmission. This car has the 7-speed 722.9. Some people do complain about hash shifts. There are some software updates the dealer can apply that might help. Also, the transmission fluid and filter needs to be changed every 60K miles. If this has not been done yet then I'd do that.
Second is the brakes started squealing at very low speed until coming to a stop. I seem to have to work around it with the brake petal to stop the noise!
The third thing is there is some slight vibration coming from the steering wheel. Not terrible though.
Fourth thing is I noticed the temp gauge would go up one bar and then down two. They’d fluctuate. Is that Normal? It was very hot out but I recall my clk320 never going back and fourth that much. Usually just one bar above the norm, then back again.
Last thing I noticed is the front passenger headlight seems to stick out a half inch or so. Doesn’t look awful and I didn’t even tell when first looking at the car. I recall you saying that most of the Clks have some kind of bumper issues because of the age.
Last edited by Rudeney; Jul 26, 2019 at 11:36 PM.
Member
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2009 CLK550 Coupe
Good news. Dealer just replaced the brake pads for me at no cost and noise went away! Thank you for answering my post. Also want to add something else i heard while driving. There is a clacking noise when I accelerate. Almost like lose metal. Don’t know where it’s coming from. Only happens with acceleration. Hope this isn’t anything serious! Regardless it is very smooth!
