A Cursory Survey on Squeaking Brakes
10-23-2020, 09:42 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
A Cursory Survey on Squeaking Brakes
So I have had this high pitched squeaking/squealing noise for a long time. It happens with brake force that is between coming to a gentle stop at the light and mildly unpleasant: which means that I have to constantly avoid a useful portion of the brake power. It presents itself most of the times, but seems to be better at the beginning of a journey, probably due to colder brake or less dust build up. The noise is distinct from those that indicate heavy brake wear: to me this is sharper and leaner in timber.
Dealership claims it's characteristic. (Brake harder they say, and I maintain that if I wanted to behave like a hoon I would have gotten a v8 Commodore which is probably better built anyway.) I have also seen threads on this issue here. Explanations could be warped discs, or just rubbish design/quality.
What I'm wondering is if this issue depends on the 1) brake size which is related to your engine (more powerful models have larger discs), 2) trim line (according to the spec guide of my car, AMG line uses a different brake system compared to others), and with an outside chance 3) rim size, 4) suspension, and 5) manufacturing date (earlier ones do tend to be more dodgy). I reckon anyone with similar issue can list these characteristics of their car and see if there's a pattern here, so that we can perhaps work out a solution around this annoyance. Cheers
350 V6 diesel, Perforated front disc AMG line, 20 inch wheels, air suspension, Dec 2017
P.S. I also have a fainter but similar noise when cruising on gentle slopes and/or with wheels slightly turned, this is, however, trickier to replicate and fix.
Dealership claims it's characteristic. (Brake harder they say, and I maintain that if I wanted to behave like a hoon I would have gotten a v8 Commodore which is probably better built anyway.) I have also seen threads on this issue here. Explanations could be warped discs, or just rubbish design/quality.
What I'm wondering is if this issue depends on the 1) brake size which is related to your engine (more powerful models have larger discs), 2) trim line (according to the spec guide of my car, AMG line uses a different brake system compared to others), and with an outside chance 3) rim size, 4) suspension, and 5) manufacturing date (earlier ones do tend to be more dodgy). I reckon anyone with similar issue can list these characteristics of their car and see if there's a pattern here, so that we can perhaps work out a solution around this annoyance. Cheers
350 V6 diesel, Perforated front disc AMG line, 20 inch wheels, air suspension, Dec 2017
P.S. I also have a fainter but similar noise when cruising on gentle slopes and/or with wheels slightly turned, this is, however, trickier to replicate and fix.
Last edited by evd22; 10-24-2020 at 05:13 AM.
10-23-2020, 10:03 PM
#2
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2018 S560 and 2019 E450 Wagon.
My 2019 E450 Wagon never gets any brake noise. My 2017 S550 gets slight brake noise on a light pedal sounds like it's coming from one wheel. I suspect when the pads were done they did not apply the brake pad backing paste to one wheel. That should be done on all 4 wheels on your car once you get your pads done, or remove all the pads and apply it if they are not worn out too bad. That should get rid of the noise.
Last edited by 2012 merc amg; 10-23-2020 at 11:19 PM.
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evd22 (10-24-2020)
10-23-2020, 10:50 PM
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2023 EQE350 4MATIC, 2023 EQE 350 4MATIC SUV, 1995 E300 Diesel
I'm extremely sensitive to brake noise. My '19 W213 has no brake squeal whatsoever, so far. I had a W212 that also had no brake noise issues. Same with an X204, and a W166, all great on brake noise. I'd highly recommend adding some ceramic anti-vibe brake paste. Textar Ceratec is great stuff. The calipers on the 213s are easy to service. I added some to the W124 that I'm restoring and it's quiet as a mouse.
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evd22 (10-24-2020)
10-24-2020, 01:58 AM
#5
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Thread Starter
My 2019 E450 Wagon never gets any brake noise. My 2017 S550 gets slight brake noise on a light pedal sounds like it's coming from one wheel. I suspect when the pads were done they did not apply the brake pad backing paste to one wheel. That should be done on all 4 wheels on your car once you get your pads done, or remove all the pads and apply it if they are not worn out too bad. That should get rid of the noise.
I'm extremely sensitive to brake noise. My '19 W213 has no brake squeal whatsoever, so far. I had a W212 that also had no brake noise issues. Same with an X204, and a W166, all great on brake noise. I'd highly recommend adding some ceramic anti-vibe brake paste. Textar Ceratec is great stuff. The calipers on the 213s are easy to service. I added some to the W124 that I'm restoring and it's quiet as a mouse.
Once (back in the good old days of air travel) I knew my shuttle to the airport has arrived at the house because I heard this signature squeal, and I knew the shuttles were mostly AMG-pack V250d Vito, which tend to have the exact same squeal that not many other cars on my side street possess.
10-24-2020, 08:18 AM
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
The noise comes from oxidation or debris buildup on the pads and rotors. The easy solution is to actually use the brakes. I do maximum force stops from 55 mph to a) heat the brakes and b) remove an oxidation or debris buildup. Accelerate, stop, accelerate, stop ... several times. Five minutes once a month is all it takes for me to have quiet brakes.
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evd22 (10-25-2020)
