E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

2003 E500 brake by wire

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Old Aug 20, 2007 | 01:52 AM
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2003 E500 brake by wire

2003 E500 brake by wire. Do the front and rear brake pads wear the same?
Without brake by wire the front pads usually needs replacing before the rear
pads.
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Old Aug 20, 2007 | 01:47 PM
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Actually, the variable power distribution of the SBC system applies additional force on the rear brake pad than a conventional braking system. This may cause increased and uneven levels of wear on the rear axle brake pads.
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Old Aug 21, 2007 | 08:06 AM
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No,, they are replaced independant based on wear. I have been through 2 replacements on the front and only 1 on the rear. 65000 miles and currently front is new rears 10,000 miles.
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Old Aug 21, 2007 | 10:24 AM
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My first set of brakes front and rear were replaced at 21,000 about a year and a half a go at a cost of $600.00. There were no percentage of wear given. The car was in for Flex D Service and on inspection it was reported that the front and rear brake pads were worn and needed to be replaced.
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Old Aug 21, 2007 | 02:06 PM
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It's NOT "brake by wire" BTW.

This would mean only an electrical connection between the pedal and the actuator at the wheel.

It's still conventional hydraulic all the way, the difference being there's a pump in the middle that's electrically controlled and may come on at various times not necessarily effected by the brake pedal.
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Old Aug 21, 2007 | 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by vettdvr
I have been through 2 replacements on the front and only 1 on the rear. 65000 miles and currently front is new rears 10,000 miles.
I had the opposite experience with the 03 211 whereas the rear pads were replaced twice and front once, rotors were fine - sold @ 44000.
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Old Aug 21, 2007 | 06:07 PM
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Usually you want to replace rear brake pads every other time you change the front ones. Sometimes a dealer would tell you that you need to replace all four just to make a bit more money since brakes aren't covered by MB warranty. Paying $600 to do all four sides is somewhat reasonable by MB dealer standards. Personally, I was quoted $1000 for changing pads on all four sides and getting new front rotors. I felt that it was excessive and did the entire job myself for less than $250 in parts. Best way to determine whether you need new pads or not is to look at them and see how think they are. It should be relatively easy to determine once you take the wheels off.
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Old Aug 21, 2007 | 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted by MB500
Usually you want to replace rear brake pads every other time you change the front ones. Sometimes a dealer would tell you that you need to replace all four just to make a bit more money since brakes aren't covered by MB warranty. Paying $600 to do all four sides is somewhat reasonable by MB dealer standards. Personally, I was quoted $1000 for changing pads on all four sides and getting new front rotors. I felt that it was excessive and did the entire job myself for less than $250 in parts. Best way to determine whether you need new pads or not is to look at them and see how think they are. It should be relatively easy to determine once you take the wheels off.
How did you get rid of the + in the FSS. I have completed mine and confirmed good sensors, but still have the +
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Old Aug 21, 2007 | 09:16 PM
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What the '+' means is that the dealer needs to check pads for thickness and, if necessary, recommend changing the pads/rotors. In other words, this is just a reminder. During the next service (oil change, etc..) you dealer would go into FSS and confirm that all of the services have been done. This will clear the + sign until the next time it comes up. Usually, the + sign comes up every other service interval. Hope this helps!
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by MB500
What the '+' means is that the dealer needs to check pads for thickness and, if necessary, recommend changing the pads/rotors. In other words, this is just a reminder. During the next service (oil change, etc..) you dealer would go into FSS and confirm that all of the services have been done. This will clear the + sign until the next time it comes up. Usually, the + sign comes up every other service interval. Hope this helps!
It is a good direction. Does this mean the only way to clear the + is the dealer?
I live over 100 miles from a dealer and go for 90% of the service but pads and oil change I do myself. The trip to the dealer is usually 2 days for service due to the travel and dealer time. So each time I change oil and pads it saves me 2 days and several hundred miles of driving. I go to the dealer for all the other service,, tires, updates, etc. Thanks for the info. Jim
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 01:26 PM
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If you know how to clear the FSS unit then you don't need a dealer. Next time you do oil change do a confirmation on all the work that needed to be done under the service. This will confirm that you've done all items under particular service and should clear the + sign until the next time.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 03:07 PM
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Originally Posted by MB500
If you know how to clear the FSS unit then you don't need a dealer. Next time you do oil change do a confirmation on all the work that needed to be done under the service. This will confirm that you've done all items under particular service and should clear the + sign until the next time.

Great,, I have an oil change in the next 2000 miles,, I will check. Didn't know there was a confirm for the brake work.

Jim
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 04:12 PM
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You can confirm/cancel all items or cancel individual service items.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by konigstiger
You can confirm/cancel all items or cancel individual service items.
Last time I dorked it up and confirmed everything when I bumped my elbow. Had the dealer correct it on my next visit.

I just didn't realize the brake system was under the FSS and could be confirmed.
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