Steel.Grey.MB

Went to the MB dealer to complain about my brakes squeaking and they said it was a commom problem with Mercedes. Had the car for a little over a year with about 8,000 miles. They had told me to keep the wheels clean and it should go away. Long story short, the problem still persisted even when keeping the wheels clean. I had them do an inspection but they could not find anything wrong. When I picked the car up, I still could hear the brakes squeaking. They sad they checked out the rotors and pads and said it was normal. At that point I asked to ride with one of the mechanics.As I pointed out the noise, I said you have to be deaf to not hear the squeaking. He heard it too and told the service advisor about the problem. First they thought it was the rotor, then they applied anti-squeak paste. In the end they replaced the rear pads. So far there is no squeaking. I just wanted to ask if there was any one else who experienced this and had the dealer replace the brake pads. Luckiliy I didn't have to pay a cent.

konigstiger

Factory warranty covers brakes (i.e.: pads and rotors) for 1 year/12000 miles whichever come first. MB or dealer most likely provided goodwill replacement given short period of time that elapsed.

RJC

I went through this with a few brand new MBs and other marques, the only way we got it to stop was having the dealership replace the rotors and the squealing finally Stopped For Good. If the rotors are even just slightly out of spec (and they'll never admit they are) they'll create a slight vibration which creates the squeal. Getting the dealership to replace the rotors needs to be done in the first few thousand miles and even then, they are not so willing to do it; a few times i had to get the shop foreman involved to back me up.

vinrun

My wife drives a GLK350 4Matic. Her brakes were squeaking and we brought it to the dealer several times. The dealer always said that there was nothing wrong with the brakes. The brakes kept on squeaking and finally my wife demanded new brakes from the dealer. The dealer put new brakes on her car. No more squeaking and there is hardly any brake dust on her wheels. I was tired of cleaning her wheels, but now the wheels stay cleaner much longer.

hyperion667

I was tired of cleaning her wheels
vinrun

so make her clean her own wheels then.............



there's a ton to say about personal accountability

GuyFawkes

Can you spread a bit of copper grease to the pads to prevent squeeking?

vinrun

She cleans the house. I will quit while I am ahead.

ash_cpe

Hi Guys,

My car has 9000 miles and it started squeaking when hitting the brakes while stopping, no squeaking while slowing down or stopping while reverse! any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

socketman

There is a DTB on rear brake squeal for some calling for replacement of rear pads.

madraddoc

My squealing problem only occurs in the following conditions:

Cold - car has usually sat overnight with temps less than 40 degrees
Car was wet or just washed last time used
Backing up only
Slow speed - less than 5 mph
Gentle brake application/light pedal pressure
Just started at 9000 miles. 9800 on the clock now

I just had the DTB done today .

When I arrived at the dealer to pick it up, my Benz looked great having just been washed after the service. I started up, put it in reverse and gently applied brake pressure...IT STILL SQUEALED...maybe a little quieter?? Very frustrating.

Any other ideas?

RJC

Have them replace the rotors if the pads didn't do the trick

konigstiger

Again, MBUSA warranty covers brake squeal for first 12000 miles/12 months whichever comes first bottom line you are entitled to new front/rear pads + rotors.

Fjbarbella

I have a 05 sl 55, when pressing on the brakes lightly the brakes sqeak...as you know it is embarressing...What is really the culprit to this? pads, rotor, or etc....?

park423

Really... good to know...my brakes squeak after sitting overnight or after work. After a few miles of stop and go driving, the squeak goes away. Will have to have the dealer check it out

RJC

Lower dust/harder pads do what you are describing and if the noise stops after a short distance it's probably ok. Im sure the dealer will pull your rims and clean the brakes etc; tell the tech to but extra careful w/your rims when mounting/dismounting.

park423

Hmmm... Also feeling a little bit of vibration in the brake pedal when braking hard, that's making me think it's the rotors...

madraddoc

Long term followup:
The squeal came back after several weeks!

Solution? Sold car for...Lexus RX450h hybrid!!!

Better quality.
Better gas mileage (26 winter and 30 summer)
More versatile. Has a trailer hitch for my bike rack. Can haul more cargo.
Lower profile. Benz kinda gauche now IMHO given economic problems

And best of all...NO BRAKE SQUEAL.

I don't miss the E550 one bit.

Thanks all for the input over the past year.

hyperion667

wow, stepping down?

I have not had ONE squeak on anything and I'm pushing 12K miles....

ImInPA

Buyer's remorse can make the most simple things to fix unbearable. If you need RX type space, a trailer hitch, etc. an E class sedan is probably not going to make you feel good about your purchase. Next thing you know, the ash tray gets full, or your brakes squeak and it is new car time again. I know two folks with RXs: one hybrid the other gas only. Both have had rotors replaced under warranty due to warppage. The hybrid is on it's third set. In fact, one of the most common complaints I hear from folks with Lexus and Lincolns is brake rotors warping and causing vibration through the wheel while applying brakes. European cars, in my personal experience, have always had good brakes.

K-A

Sucks to hear about the brake squeal, but damn, an E-Class to an RX? Talk about apples and oranges. On the downside, you went from one of the best looking cars on the road to one of the worst!

220S

imho, the primary issue with SUV hybrids is that you have to pay such a premium for them over petrol (and even diesel) versions and you'll never get that money back in fuel costs unless you keep the car for the rest of your life. But then you'll have to deal with expensive (and not eco friendly) battery replacement (and potentially extra repair and maintenance with the added complexity)

Like the La Times said: "Is the RX450h the right thing to do? Well, you could always get a Toyota Prius and get 50 mpg, so it's more accurate to say the big hybrid ute is less wrong than right. Search your conscience and your wallet."

park423

+1000, my sentiments exactly. I believe if we had the reverse situation in the number of hybrids/electrics to gas engines, lithium prices would be sky high and gas dirt cheap and making the arguments against hybrid/electric cars. It's a population problem, more and more cars and drivers every year and the growth of emerging nations, increasing trade with them means building better infrastructure and them more people to use those roads...if you build it, they will come.

RJC

That indeed sounds like rotors. I always give my rotors a chance to cool down before washing the car. I would also insist on replacements not cut if they turn out go be the cause. Keep us posted.

hyperion667

rotors make great bonsai pots when they're spent.....