Car sat for a month, now warped front rotor?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 699
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From: PA
09 CLK550
Car sat for a month, now warped front rotor?
I had my 05' CLK55 parked in Dec/January, when I picked it up the front passenger-side rotor now seems to be warped and I'm not sure how it could happen.
All the discs were covered in rust which has since ground off.
I pulled the wheel and spun the rotor by hand, there is definitely a small wobble to it
These are the 2-piece large rotors, there is a lot of rust on the bolts holding the hat to the rotor which wasn't there before.
I'm going to take the rotor off and see if a local shop can grind it down.
I just not sure how this could have happened, any ideas?
All the discs were covered in rust which has since ground off.
I pulled the wheel and spun the rotor by hand, there is definitely a small wobble to it
These are the 2-piece large rotors, there is a lot of rust on the bolts holding the hat to the rotor which wasn't there before.
I'm going to take the rotor off and see if a local shop can grind it down.
I just not sure how this could have happened, any ideas?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 44
From: PA
09 CLK550
I did have new Blizzaks installed on new rims Dec 8th, but the car was then driven ~150mi with no issues before being parked.
(I know they're dirty, we just got back after recovering from surgery)
(I know they're dirty, we just got back after recovering from surgery)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: A.D., U.A.E
2000 (W202 C200) & 2000 (W202 C55)
that's soo weird..>!<,
that's dirty lines could happen from a dirty or less brake oil, some pistons stuck, seals cracked,
have to check the calipers careFULLY,,
GOOD LUCK.....
ZAYED,,
that's dirty lines could happen from a dirty or less brake oil, some pistons stuck, seals cracked,
have to check the calipers careFULLY,,
GOOD LUCK.....
ZAYED,,
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 346
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clk55 amg
these are a full floating rotor, they supposed to move under heavy braking to prevent warping.... if you drive the car and the brake pedal pulsates while braking, then u have rotor issues, just spinning them with the wheels off will have movement... my brembos did the same. and dont grind anything off the rotors... u can buff the rust off but not grind.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 576
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From: chicago
Firemist O5 CLK55 Cab Silver 05 CLK55 Coupe Tanzanite 06 CLK500 Coupe
rotors can be turned
of course it is not recommended and most machine shops won't touch them but
find a shop that specializes in truck brakes you may get lucky
and sure you will lose the chamfers in the dust holes as well as reduced depth in the slots but the rings are pretty thick and there is a big crowd out there who think both pointless anyway
and with 6 pistons come on....
$15/each saved me>>>>you do the math!
i believe a stuck piston caused me a heat warp
find a shop that specializes in truck brakes you may get lucky
and sure you will lose the chamfers in the dust holes as well as reduced depth in the slots but the rings are pretty thick and there is a big crowd out there who think both pointless anyway
and with 6 pistons come on....
$15/each saved me>>>>you do the math!
i believe a stuck piston caused me a heat warp
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: PA
09 CLK550
I've driven about 900mi since the problem started, no difference in the amount of 'shimmy' or 'pulsing' from that side of the car. Its much more noticeable above 50mph and under heavy braking. I can feel it through the brake pedal and steering wheel.
I'll try to make a video of the waviness I'm seeing while spinning the rotor by hand. As it rotates with the brake pads in it takes much more force to spin. With them removed you can see a 'wave' in the rotor about 1mm.
I am wondering about what 2PRECISE mentioned, if the 10 bolts holding the hat to the rotor are seized, I'm wondering if replacing them might help? I can't find a part number on EPC http://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/home.jsp
I'll try to make a video of the waviness I'm seeing while spinning the rotor by hand. As it rotates with the brake pads in it takes much more force to spin. With them removed you can see a 'wave' in the rotor about 1mm.
I am wondering about what 2PRECISE mentioned, if the 10 bolts holding the hat to the rotor are seized, I'm wondering if replacing them might help? I can't find a part number on EPC http://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/home.jsp
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
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From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
Wife's 2008 C300 sits outside in the elements for long periods of time. Her brakes rusted pretty bad. So bad that with only 22K miles on the car the dealership says she needs all new pads and rotors. Not getting that done until we have a garage to keep it in.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 699
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From: PA
09 CLK550
Made some videos showing the issue.
With both brake pads in the rotor 'catches' quickly and stops spinning
With outer brake pad removed, you can see it spins more but is still catching on the rear pad.
@ 0:19 you can barely see the 'wave' as the rotor spins.
Guess I'm ****ed, huh?
I stopped by MB today to get some $48 wipers, the parts guy was unable to find an individual part number for the 10 bolts holding the hat to the rotor so its probably sold as 1 piece.
With both brake pads in the rotor 'catches' quickly and stops spinning
With outer brake pad removed, you can see it spins more but is still catching on the rear pad.
Guess I'm ****ed, huh?
I stopped by MB today to get some $48 wipers
, the parts guy was unable to find an individual part number for the 10 bolts holding the hat to the rotor so its probably sold as 1 piece.
Last edited by ambit; Jan 23, 2014 at 12:14 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: A.D., U.A.E
2000 (W202 C200) & 2000 (W202 C55)
Try to inspect the caliper bolts(which holds the calipers in the steering knuckle & the bolts at the rear of the caliper that hold it to the bracket),
also don't forget the small bolt(that hold the Rotor in the hub), they may not tight properly,,
Unfortunately, Hat not come separately, it comes with a Rotor assembly, bolts can be found in any good hardware stores.....
https://mbworld.org/forums/s55-amg-s...ml#post5906108
ZAYED,,
also don't forget the small bolt(that hold the Rotor in the hub), they may not tight properly,,
Unfortunately, Hat not come separately, it comes with a Rotor assembly, bolts can be found in any good hardware stores.....
https://mbworld.org/forums/s55-amg-s...ml#post5906108
ZAYED,,
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 576
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From: chicago
Firemist O5 CLK55 Cab Silver 05 CLK55 Coupe Tanzanite 06 CLK500 Coupe
if its not the bearings, cut them or replace them
you can listen to the many pundits out there but given that I went down this exact road last year....
first and foremost if you are planning to junk your rotors pm me and i will be happy to cover shipping and trouble time.
are any of the pistons sticking? something had to cause the problem.
rebuild kits are less than $40
first and foremost if you are planning to junk your rotors pm me and i will be happy to cover shipping and trouble time.
are any of the pistons sticking? something had to cause the problem.
rebuild kits are less than $40
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 699
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From: PA
09 CLK550
I took off the driver-side tire today, same issue
Looks like new rotors for me. Found them for $580/each here http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/...FYkWMgodLn8Ahg
Looks like new rotors for me. Found them for $580/each here http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/...FYkWMgodLn8Ahg
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
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CLK55 W209, CL63 W216
I took off the driver-side tire today, same issue
Looks like new rotors for me. Found them for $580/each here http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/...FYkWMgodLn8Ahg
Looks like new rotors for me. Found them for $580/each here http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/...FYkWMgodLn8Ahg
And yes, leaving a car unused outside for months at a time is generally a bad idea....especially in the winter months. Depending on the rotors, they will rust and get messed up.
Last edited by megacrazy; Jan 26, 2014 at 06:44 PM.
Senior Member
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84 300d 2009 e320 bluetec (retired)/, now 2012 E350 4-matic blueefficiency automatic
Looks like rust and glazing on the rotor. Have you tried to sand the glazing off the rotor? In my experience, rotor do literally warp. Especially on composite rotors and if it hits water after a heavy braking. The thinner the rotor (metal) the easier to warp. If they have truely warped, they will likely rewarp after turning them. Likely cased by overheating.
Autohausaz and rockauto are my typical go to parts store. I also have used mbonlineparts, a discounted mercedes but shipping is can be expensive.
Autohausaz and rockauto are my typical go to parts store. I also have used mbonlineparts, a discounted mercedes but shipping is can be expensive.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 932
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From: North of Boston
Cheapest I have found is Annopolis Mercedes.
https://www.getmercedesparts.com/oem...des-parts.html
https://www.getmercedesparts.com/oem...des-parts.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,053
Likes: 398
From: A.D., U.A.E
2000 (W202 C200) & 2000 (W202 C55)
I took off the driver-side tire today, same issue
Looks like new rotors for me. Found them for $580/each here http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/...FYkWMgodLn8Ahg
Looks like new rotors for me. Found them for $580/each here http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/...FYkWMgodLn8Ahg
ZAYED,,
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 44
From: PA
09 CLK550
I called my MB dealership, they do not offer resurfacing and offered to replace the front rotors & brakes for ~$3200 
I dropped the car off at Belle Tire today and they are unable to turn/resurface them either
So its new rotors for me!
I dropped the car off at Belle Tire today and they are unable to turn/resurface them either
So its new rotors for me!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Has anyone mic'd the rotors to determine of they're in spec? Used a straight edge to see if they are in fact warped? Those are the first things a I'd do. You'd hate to invest in new rotors, only to find that the caliper is sticking. Along that same line, is the brake fluid regularly flushed? Because that's what typically causes calipers to stick - old fluid absorbs moisture, the water corrodes the cylinders, and the pistons stick.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 699
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From: PA
09 CLK550
I'm going to order new rotors this week and pull off the old ones.
Belle Tire said the rotors weren't think enough to grind down. I measured ~32mm with my caliper, min thickness along the edge says 30mm.
Ohh well, got 80,800mi out of them
Brake fluid was flushed maybe.. 6 months ago?
Belle Tire said the rotors weren't think enough to grind down. I measured ~32mm with my caliper, min thickness along the edge says 30mm.
Ohh well, got 80,800mi out of them
Brake fluid was flushed maybe.. 6 months ago?
