jfoscue

I am replacing the pads on the front of my E320 (2001) and forgot about getting new sensors. I finished one side and I just took off the sensor and did not replace it. How will that affect the warning light? Will it go off or will it stay on?

I am going to do the other side tomorrow but I am planning replacing the sensor on that side.

Are they really necessary?

citruspilot

Thats your call. But I just replaced my front brake pads a few days ago. I got the lining wear indicator light a few days before that but didnt drive much after. While replacing the front pads I noticed how the sensors work. They hit the rotor and wore to a point that broke the insulator on the sensor probe. Once that happened the contacts inside the sensor closed, from an electrical short so to speak, then thru the computer sent a signal to the dash by means of a thin lining wear light. If I had not seen this warning light I might have driven my car and used the brakes past their useful life and ruined the rotors. So, as I said using the sensors is your call but they saved me the cost of new rotors...............

Jeff

jfoscue

Yea I realize they might be important but I just want to know if they are needed and will the light go off if I don't have them on.

loubapache

If you do not install the sensors, there will be no brake lining warning light so it is perfectly OK not to have them. It is a nice feature so one knows brake pad wear without looking at them.

Ben'z

I don't have any brake sensor installed, and need to check the pads myself.

citruspilot

Hey, they are only $3.80 each at the MB dealership. I just bought them a few days ago. Thats not much money for piece of mind and the time to put them in is minimal.

Jeff

RobertG

simple math either 3.90 for sensor or 70.00 for new rotor

jfoscue

The issue is I already put new pads on one wheel and didn't have the sensor with me. So is the sensor easy to put without taking the caliper off?

RobertG

if you can slide the sensor into the hole and route the wire properly, then yes .....

loubapache

I would say that is difficult without taking the pad off.

My advice FWIW:

Just put the sensor on the other wheel (hopefully it is the driver side). If everything works OK, the pads on both sides will wear about the same and when the light comes on for one wheel, replace the pads.

There is still pad life left when the light comes on (about another 2.5 mm). I do not think it is a big deal. Plus, there are other warnings (noise for example) before the pads wear down to their service limit.

I understand why you do not want to take the caliper off again. These bolts (pins) need to be either replaced with new ones or loctite be put on everytime you remove them.

RobertG

Of all the years of working on cars and countless break jobs performed I never put locktite on the bolts or pins of the caliper, you are asking for trouble if you do that.
take the caliper off and install the sensor you'll feel better knowing that the monitoring system is functional.

loubapache

That is what MB says. If you buy OEM pads or caliper, they will come with these new bolts pre-locktited (blue).

Ben'z

I wish I could have the sensors installed....

RobertG

it's never too late

GC4E320

I noticed your recent post and wondered if you would be kind enough to post the step by step procedures for this job. I have replaced many brake pads on other (non-MB) cars but haven't on a MB yet. What about this SBC? Please include every step to take. Thanks

lkchris

Gee, buy the maintenance DVD from your dealer or at 800.for.merc and you'll have it all.

Or subscribe for a day at startekinfo dot com and print out all you want.

No SBC on W210

Television

To do a car with SBC just unplug the large connector from the SBC pump and wait 10 mins, all is normal then.


You can see where the sensor wires go by turning the wheels so that the rear sticks out, you do not have to take the caliper off