Replacement Brake Pads
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 71
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From: Miami, FL
2002 S430
Replacement Brake Pads
I have an 03 E320 and need to change the brake pads. I was wondering what some fellow members bought if they did not go with OEM pads and sensors. Any help on this simple matter is appreciated.
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by Char03
I have an 03 E320 and need to change the brake pads. I was wondering what some fellow members bought if they did not go with OEM pads and sensors. Any help on this simple matter is appreciated.
Your car (and mine) has an electro-hydraulic brake system that has to have the brake system deactivated before the pads can be changed. So far as I know, only Mercedes dealers can do it.
This is the warning you will see if you go to one of the Internet sites that sells MB parts....
"Important: SBC brake system MUST be deactivated using SBD 102 or Mercedes Star Diagnosis tool. When activated, the SBC brake system builds up high pressure in the brake system. The automatic extension of the caliper pistons may result in serious bodily injury. Brake pressure may cause brake fluid to escape at high pressure, with possible resulting damage or injury. Maintenance or repair work must never be performed on an active SBC brake system. The SBC brake system pushes out the brake master cylinder when:
The vehicle is opened by remote control. The driver, front passenger or rear door is opened. The trunk is opened. The key is turned to position "1" in the ignition. The brake pedal is operated. The parking brake is released. The system performs a self test (pre-drive check)."
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From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
If you don't have your key in the ignition, it should be okey to change to pad yourself. To be safe, just disconnect the battery (make sure you have security code).
I'm looking to change my crappy OEM pad. Too much dirt !!!
I'm looking to change my crappy OEM pad. Too much dirt !!!
Originally Posted by BudC
If you are talking about a 2003 E320, you cannot change the brake pads yourself.
Your car (and mine) has an electro-hydraulic brake system that has to have the brake system deactivated before the pads can be changed. So far as I know, only Mercedes dealers can do it.
This is the warning you will see if you go to one of the Internet sites that sells MB parts....
"Important: SBC brake system MUST be deactivated using SBD 102 or Mercedes Star Diagnosis tool. When activated, the SBC brake system builds up high pressure in the brake system. The automatic extension of the caliper pistons may result in serious bodily injury. Brake pressure may cause brake fluid to escape at high pressure, with possible resulting damage or injury. Maintenance or repair work must never be performed on an active SBC brake system. The SBC brake system pushes out the brake master cylinder when:
The vehicle is opened by remote control. The driver, front passenger or rear door is opened. The trunk is opened. The key is turned to position "1" in the ignition. The brake pedal is operated. The parking brake is released. The system performs a self test (pre-drive check)."
Your car (and mine) has an electro-hydraulic brake system that has to have the brake system deactivated before the pads can be changed. So far as I know, only Mercedes dealers can do it.
This is the warning you will see if you go to one of the Internet sites that sells MB parts....
"Important: SBC brake system MUST be deactivated using SBD 102 or Mercedes Star Diagnosis tool. When activated, the SBC brake system builds up high pressure in the brake system. The automatic extension of the caliper pistons may result in serious bodily injury. Brake pressure may cause brake fluid to escape at high pressure, with possible resulting damage or injury. Maintenance or repair work must never be performed on an active SBC brake system. The SBC brake system pushes out the brake master cylinder when:
The vehicle is opened by remote control. The driver, front passenger or rear door is opened. The trunk is opened. The key is turned to position "1" in the ignition. The brake pedal is operated. The parking brake is released. The system performs a self test (pre-drive check)."
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 71
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From: Miami, FL
2002 S430
Well I plan on getting my pads changed at the dealer but I was wondering what kind of pads people were replacing them with. I'm thinking of just putting new OEM pads but I would really prefer some pads with a lot less dust and that don't squeak. The dealer told me they would install the aftermarket pads and simply sell me the new sensors, which I would need to get, if I decided to go in that direction but would not be able to warantee the pads.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 693
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From: Mansfield, TX
11 ML350W2 / 17 GLC300
If you disconnect the main battery, the small secondary battery will still be connected and may still power the SBC. If the small battery is disconnected too, the entire system may have to be reprogrammed.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 693
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From: Mansfield, TX
11 ML350W2 / 17 GLC300
No, we bought the '03 in September '03 and only have a 6,500 miles on it. We have only taken 2 trips and those weren't that long. I work from my home office and when I travel, I take my old Volvo to the airport. My wife puts most of the mileage on the E and let's me drive it on weekends.
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
I recently bought a new 2004 E320 and left on a 4,600 mile trip with only 200 miles on the clock.
This car produces less brake dust than any Mercedes I've owned in more than 20 years.
Since I applied several coats of Zaino to the wheels before leaving, what little dust I had wiped right off.
I'd stick with the OEM pads that go for a bit under $100 from Internet suppliers.
I've been doing my own brake work for more than 40 years and I'm not going to like having to pay a dealer $100/hour to change the pads. By the time I need them, I've got to find a safe way to deactivate the SBC system so I can change them myself.
Given the current level of Info on the problem, there's no way I'm going to fool with this system until I know for sure that I'm not going to have a problem.
This car produces less brake dust than any Mercedes I've owned in more than 20 years.
Since I applied several coats of Zaino to the wheels before leaving, what little dust I had wiped right off.
I'd stick with the OEM pads that go for a bit under $100 from Internet suppliers.
I've been doing my own brake work for more than 40 years and I'm not going to like having to pay a dealer $100/hour to change the pads. By the time I need them, I've got to find a safe way to deactivate the SBC system so I can change them myself.
Given the current level of Info on the problem, there's no way I'm going to fool with this system until I know for sure that I'm not going to have a problem.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by Char03
Could you tell me where you could get OEM pads online for that cheap. The dealer wants about $200 for four pads and the two front sensors. Does that sound about right?
http://catalog.mercedesshop.com/
Note that there is only one sensor for the front and one for the rear on E320's.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by Char03
The dealer wants about $200 for four pads and the two front sensors. Does that sound about right?
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From: San Diego, CA
2006 Corvette Coupe
The Mercedes-Benz internal E-learning web site which was inadvertently made public for a few months last year also contained multiple warnings regarding the SBC brakes. From what I remember, essentially all maintenance on the SBC braking system requires dealer tools to depressurize the SBC system before performing the work and then repressurizing it afterwards. On any car with SBC I'd recommend letting the dealer do all the work. A third party's web site warning may or may not document all the potential dangers associated with the SBC brakes.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Can't remember where I found this, but......
"The caliper pistons move out when a door is opened, when the key is placed in
the ignition, or when your foot is on the brake pedal. If you are going to change
the brakes, close all the windows and lock the car, then put the key someplace
you know nobody will touch it. The brakes will then be safe to work on.
__________________________________________________ _____________
Unplug the ABS Pump then you WILL be able to replace the Pads
DO NOT have The Key on or turn it on with the Pump Unplugged!!
I Have SEVERAL friends at Mercedes and I Just Learned the trick...
When you replace the pads...be sure to let the pump run then pump the brake
pedal..." And no, I don't know where the abs pump is.
the ignition, or when your foot is on the brake pedal. If you are going to change
the brakes, close all the windows and lock the car, then put the key someplace
you know nobody will touch it. The brakes will then be safe to work on.
__________________________________________________ _____________
Unplug the ABS Pump then you WILL be able to replace the Pads
DO NOT have The Key on or turn it on with the Pump Unplugged!!
I Have SEVERAL friends at Mercedes and I Just Learned the trick...
When you replace the pads...be sure to let the pump run then pump the brake
pedal..." And no, I don't know where the abs pump is.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by mleskovar
Unplug the ABS Pump then you WILL be able to replace the Pads
DO NOT have The Key on or turn it on with the Pump Unplugged!!
I Have SEVERAL friends at Mercedes and I Just Learned the trick...
When you replace the pads...be sure to let the pump run then pump the brake
pedal..." And no, I don't know where the abs pump is.
DO NOT have The Key on or turn it on with the Pump Unplugged!!
I Have SEVERAL friends at Mercedes and I Just Learned the trick...
When you replace the pads...be sure to let the pump run then pump the brake
pedal..." And no, I don't know where the abs pump is.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5
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I changed my brakes myself at about 15000 miles on my 03. The calipers didn't do anything. just goes about doing the same as any other car, but you gotta buy the brake sensor, it like $5-6 only 
later
Oh i now have about 28000 miles on it.
later
Oh i now have about 28000 miles on it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by AH320
I changed my brakes myself at about 15000 miles on my 03. The calipers didn't do anything. just goes about doing the same as any other car, but you gotta buy the brake sensor, it like $5-6 only
later
Oh i now have about 28000 miles on it.
later
Oh i now have about 28000 miles on it.
BTW, it looks like the SBC braking system really wears out pads in a hurry.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by Mike F
so where can I buy the brake sensor? and where is the ABS pump that needs to be disconnected? Why pay MB $400 when I can easily diy it.
http://catalog.mercedesshop.com/
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 247
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From: California
2003 E320
Originally Posted by konigstiger
6/04 dealer replaced rear brake pads for 03 e320 @ 19450 miles - total cost $185.80 (pads $69.30).
$250 (rotors) per axal. So....worst case senario at dealors $1200 all the way around for pads and rotors.
I think I will shop around.
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by xabo
Would pad replacement be included in the " Free Maintanance" service on the '04's?
Out Of Control!!
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Posts: 15,901
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by CaptMike
I'm ready to do mine (22K). Dealor quoted $350 (pads) per axal. $250 (rotors) per axal. So....worst case senario at dealors $1200 all the way around for pads and rotors. I think I will shop around.
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 247
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From: California
2003 E320
Originally Posted by konigstiger
Shop around to say the least! You mean to tell me with all the time and assistance you rendered in rectifying the Logic 7 ordeal they won’t at least throw you a bone on this one?
