Are the brake pad wear sensors really needed?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2001 E320 (W210)
Are the brake pad wear sensors really needed?
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?
I am going to do the other side tomorrow but I am planning replacing the sensor on that side.
Are they really necessary?
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, N.C.
06 CLS500, 04 Tahoe, 04 Infiniti G35 Sedan, Boeing 737
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
Jeff
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Western Michigan
2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
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.
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, N.C.
06 CLS500, 04 Tahoe, 04 Infiniti G35 Sedan, Boeing 737
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
Jeff
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Western Michigan
2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,825
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
things with and without wheels
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.
take the caliper off and install the sensor you'll feel better knowing that the monitoring system is functional.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Western Michigan
2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
That is what MB says. If you buy OEM pads or caliper, they will come with these new bolts pre-locktited (blue).
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: san marcos, tx
2001 E320
replacing '01 E320 brake pads 1st time
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
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Or subscribe for a day at startekinfo dot com and print out all you want.
No SBC on W210
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 3
From: Southcoast England
CL500 216
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
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
