Breaks squealing in reverse?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
2008 E550
Breaks squealing in reverse?
Hi my breaks squeal in the morning when going in reverse and breaking. The sound is very loud and really makes me wonder why its happening. It also sometimes happens during the day after I've driven it for a while when I try to reverse. I think it has something to do with tension built up in park to reverse or something, because when it moves faster in drive (without pressing the gas) and I try to break, the sound is very loud. I hope you guys know what I'm talking about, its kind of hard to explain. So my mechanic says the breaks and rotors are fine and he doesn't know why this is happening. Honestly it seems pretty strange that a mechanic doesn't know what is wrong but do you guys have any idea as to why this is happening? Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,225
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
When we know general principals what can make brakes squeal, often the real reasons are very hard to figure out.
Everybody is advising putting silencing paste and where to apply it is whole science.
For last 10 years I am putting all the pads with no silencers and have no squeals.
I just make sure everything is clean and in CA we don't have rust issues.
What pads you have? Often changing pads makes the solution and I just took off MB pads with 50% wear to put dustless Akebonos.
Everybody is advising putting silencing paste and where to apply it is whole science.
For last 10 years I am putting all the pads with no silencers and have no squeals.
I just make sure everything is clean and in CA we don't have rust issues.
What pads you have? Often changing pads makes the solution and I just took off MB pads with 50% wear to put dustless Akebonos.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 31
From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
When we know general principals what can make brakes squeal, often the real reasons are very hard to figure out.
Everybody is advising putting silencing paste and where to apply it is whole science.
For last 10 years I am putting all the pads with no silencers and have no squeals.
I just make sure everything is clean and in CA we don't have rust issues.
What pads you have? Often changing pads makes the solution and I just took off MB pads with 50% wear to put dustless Akebonos.
Everybody is advising putting silencing paste and where to apply it is whole science.
For last 10 years I am putting all the pads with no silencers and have no squeals.
I just make sure everything is clean and in CA we don't have rust issues.
What pads you have? Often changing pads makes the solution and I just took off MB pads with 50% wear to put dustless Akebonos.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,225
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
After I got my car, I installed OEM brake pads, and they immediately started making noise when brakes were applied. I had the car checked by 2 mechanics and they could not figure it out. I decided to replace the pads with a new OEM set, but the problem continued. So, I decided to ignore it. I was also wanting to get dust free pads, so the recommendation was to go with the Akebonos. Once I had those installed the dust went away and the noise went away. I'm all for the Akebonos! They solved my problem.
Do you still have the same rotors and Akebono gave smooth braking?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 31
From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 31
From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
These guys are two less learned peas in a pod, can you imagine a statement like "the dust went away" here we go again non ware brake pads-get serious we like most BW daters dident fall off the water mellon truck yesterday--you both need to study up on brake pad formulations!!
Last edited by Stuttgarten; Feb 12, 2016 at 04:50 PM.
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 865
Likes: 61
From: Bay Area
14 550 sedan
It is true that Akebonos give pretty smooth braking while also releasing less brake dust but I guarantee you that it does not have the same stopping power as OEM pads. I could immediately tell the difference when I switched from OEM. Also if your mechanic cannot diagnose a simple brake squeal problem I don't think you should keep going to him anymore!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 118
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2023 GLK250, 1987 560SL
Just find a brand of rotors and pads and stick with that. It's pretty simple.
Different vehicles, different weights, different size brakes . . . you can get a very different experience with the same brand on two different vehicles.
Funny enough, even a heavy coat of calliper paint can reduce squeal . . . because it dampens the ringing on casting.
Different vehicles, different weights, different size brakes . . . you can get a very different experience with the same brand on two different vehicles.
Funny enough, even a heavy coat of calliper paint can reduce squeal . . . because it dampens the ringing on casting.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,225
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
It is true that Akebonos give pretty smooth braking while also releasing less brake dust but I guarantee you that it does not have the same stopping power as OEM pads. I could immediately tell the difference when I switched from OEM. Also if your mechanic cannot diagnose a simple brake squeal problem I don't think you should keep going to him anymore!
One member some time ago claim to measure the difference and he come with 3% difference. I am skeptic about the number as those tests have big margin errors - bigger than 3%.
Anyway, if I can lock the wheels any time I want, the brakes are good for me.
Just 3 days ago we had panic stop on freeway, when the car in front of me turn into the shoulder in fear of rear ending guy in front, the car behind me went on the shoulder as well, when my wagon stop in straight line with space to spare.
Last edited by kajtek1; Feb 13, 2016 at 01:44 PM.
