Are front brake pads and rotors "married"
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 22
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2019 E450 4Matic
Are front brake pads and rotors "married"
I recently had the check brake pad wear notification go on. The MB dealer said it was my front brakes. They said that the pads and rotors were "married" and that both would need to be replaced.
Is this true??
Thx
Is this true??
Thx
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 150
Likes: 22
From: Connecticut
2010 E550
In general I've replaced pads without replacing rotors, but I've never replaced a rotor without replacing the pads too.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
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From: New Jersey
2010 E550 P2 w/AMG Sport Package + Pano, 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
I also had a brake fluid flush and replace.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Ask them what's wrong with the rotors. There's usually a minimum thickness. If they're too thin, you can't reuse them. There do seem to be threads where people just slap a new set of pads on the rotors but you could also just get them turned. Used to be it wasn't worth it but I think MB rotors are a little on the expensive side so it might be worth it.
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From: Down Unda
W204 C63 AMG, W212 E250 CGI, C207 E250 CGI
you can do a visual check yourself, if the rotor starts to form a lip on the edges, its time to replace them. i normally go with 1 rotor, 2 pads.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
When I've asked about pricing on brake pad replacement, they always add in the cost of the rotors saying they should be changed at the same time. That may be what the stealers normally state. However, I expect what they actually do will depend on the condition of the rotors at that time.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Sarasota, Florida
2023 E450 Cabriolet, 2019 F150 Platinum, 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T
ok got a few questions for ya:
1) when you hit the brakes does the steering wheel wobble ?
if yes, then your rotors are warped and need to be replaced. Maybe you can get away with turning them but most likely not.
2) when you hit the brakes do they squeal/grind ?
if yes, then your pads are worn out and starting to scrape the rotors, let that go too long like weeks/months and your likely to ruin the rotors..
3) ok if they are not wobbling or squealing/grinding you may be able to just swap the pads.
This is where you either trust the mechanic to make sure the rotor is not at the minimums or has big grooves or you have to look and measure the rotor yourself.
Hope this helps
Mike
1) when you hit the brakes does the steering wheel wobble ?
if yes, then your rotors are warped and need to be replaced. Maybe you can get away with turning them but most likely not.
2) when you hit the brakes do they squeal/grind ?
if yes, then your pads are worn out and starting to scrape the rotors, let that go too long like weeks/months and your likely to ruin the rotors..
3) ok if they are not wobbling or squealing/grinding you may be able to just swap the pads.
This is where you either trust the mechanic to make sure the rotor is not at the minimums or has big grooves or you have to look and measure the rotor yourself.
Hope this helps
Mike
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,273
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From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
I always replace it all, but I definitely don't pay dealer prices. I do my own with quality after-market parts. There are good reviews here of the Autozone brake parts. Just spring an extra couple hundred for new rotors and drive happy. Most modern rotors don't have enough thickness to turn them. Since I don't have the equipment for that at my disposal anyway, it's not much difference in cost to replace them. Unless you have AMG the parts prices are pretty reasonable.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: New York
03 SL500(Sold), 09 C300, 11 E550
For the rotors ill usually just pick up something with an painted Hat and cross drilled for the look. Centrix i believe is the name of the most recent set i put on.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
No, it is not true. Pads and rotors are not "married" and your dealer claiming this raises a red flag. He is trying to make repairs on your car that are not needed. You pay, of course.
Some people change rotors with the pads but this is not needed unless your rotors have worn below the minimum thickness.
Also some grooves on the rotors do not cause a problem unless one side rotor has a lot more of them. Big difference between sides can cause car to pull while braking and in these cases you either turn the rotors if the thickness allows or just get new ones.
Worn grooves on rotor surface mean that the new pad does not have full contact to the rotor surface but a few hard steps on the brake pedal will fix this.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 48
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2010 e350 4matic with P1 and Luxury packages
ok got a few questions for ya:
1) when you hit the brakes does the steering wheel wobble ?
if yes, then your rotors are warped and need to be replaced. Maybe you can get away with turning them but most likely not.
2) when you hit the brakes do they squeal/grind ?
if yes, then your pads are worn out and starting to scrape the rotors, let that go too long like weeks/months and your likely to ruin the rotors..
3) ok if they are not wobbling or squealing/grinding you may be able to just swap the pads.
This is where you either trust the mechanic to make sure the rotor is not at the minimums or has big grooves or you have to look and measure the rotor yourself.
Hope this helps
Mike
1) when you hit the brakes does the steering wheel wobble ?
if yes, then your rotors are warped and need to be replaced. Maybe you can get away with turning them but most likely not.
2) when you hit the brakes do they squeal/grind ?
if yes, then your pads are worn out and starting to scrape the rotors, let that go too long like weeks/months and your likely to ruin the rotors..
3) ok if they are not wobbling or squealing/grinding you may be able to just swap the pads.
This is where you either trust the mechanic to make sure the rotor is not at the minimums or has big grooves or you have to look and measure the rotor yourself.
Hope this helps
Mike
My question is, car has breaks like this never ever should pass CPO checks, don't get me wrong they are not that bad but they also don't feel right too.
I guess they have a guideline and rotors and pads passing those guidelines, doesn't matter they perfect or not.
Anyway this point i'm thinking i have no choice but pay (which is not a bad price anyway) other question is what kind of rotors and pads these guys use, even if they original MB parts obviously they have some issues with these, can we use different rotors, pads etc.?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Went back to dealer today and told them check the brakes again (this is a car i bought it few weeks ago CPO 2010 e350 4matic 57K miles on it), after they checked manager told me breaks are fine but if i wanted perfect they have to change the rotors and she said they can split this 3 ways or something and it would cost me only $300. I said only rotors not the pads and she said pads are fine but i insist changing rotors should be paired with new pads i don't care how fine the pads are on it now. Anyway she said i have to pay that myself also if i wanted.
My question is, car has breaks like this never ever should pass CPO checks, don't get me wrong they are not that bad but they also don't feel right too.
I guess they have a guideline and rotors and pads passing those guidelines, doesn't matter they perfect or not.
Anyway this point i'm thinking i have no choice but pay (which is not a bad price anyway) other question is what kind of rotors and pads these guys use, even if they original MB parts obviously they have some issues with these, can we use different rotors, pads etc.?
My question is, car has breaks like this never ever should pass CPO checks, don't get me wrong they are not that bad but they also don't feel right too.
I guess they have a guideline and rotors and pads passing those guidelines, doesn't matter they perfect or not.
Anyway this point i'm thinking i have no choice but pay (which is not a bad price anyway) other question is what kind of rotors and pads these guys use, even if they original MB parts obviously they have some issues with these, can we use different rotors, pads etc.?
MB will install MB parts only.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 129
From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
CPO warranty is for any dealer, right? Maybe another dealer will side with you and put it on MB?
Question - My brakes don't wobble the steering wheel, but they pulse a little. I can't figure out if it's just the car down-shifting, or the brakes. What would cause brakes to pulse, but not wobble? My old W208 felt that way also. Just enough to notice it when I have passengers in the car and trying to drive slow.
Question - My brakes don't wobble the steering wheel, but they pulse a little. I can't figure out if it's just the car down-shifting, or the brakes. What would cause brakes to pulse, but not wobble? My old W208 felt that way also. Just enough to notice it when I have passengers in the car and trying to drive slow.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 48
Likes: 4
2010 e350 4matic with P1 and Luxury packages
CPO warranty is for any dealer, right? Maybe another dealer will side with you and put it on MB?
Question - My brakes don't wobble the steering wheel, but they pulse a little. I can't figure out if it's just the car down-shifting, or the brakes. What would cause brakes to pulse, but not wobble? My old W208 felt that way also. Just enough to notice it when I have passengers in the car and trying to drive slow.
Question - My brakes don't wobble the steering wheel, but they pulse a little. I can't figure out if it's just the car down-shifting, or the brakes. What would cause brakes to pulse, but not wobble? My old W208 felt that way also. Just enough to notice it when I have passengers in the car and trying to drive slow.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 48
Likes: 4
2010 e350 4matic with P1 and Luxury packages
CPO warranty is for any dealer, right? Maybe another dealer will side with you and put it on MB?
Question - My brakes don't wobble the steering wheel, but they pulse a little. I can't figure out if it's just the car down-shifting, or the brakes. What would cause brakes to pulse, but not wobble? My old W208 felt that way also. Just enough to notice it when I have passengers in the car and trying to drive slow.
Question - My brakes don't wobble the steering wheel, but they pulse a little. I can't figure out if it's just the car down-shifting, or the brakes. What would cause brakes to pulse, but not wobble? My old W208 felt that way also. Just enough to notice it when I have passengers in the car and trying to drive slow.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 48
Likes: 4
2010 e350 4matic with P1 and Luxury packages
I guess Mercedes is a GOOD Brand to deal with after all !!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
you're always going to get better service in the few weeks after you purchased the car. I wonder if it had been months later would they have stepped up to help with the costs.
