New front brake rotors at 30,000? SL65AMG
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 603
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From: Asheville, Atlanta
SL 65 AMG, Porsche 911 (993), 2014 Cayenne GTS, 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited
New front brake rotors at 30,000? SL65AMG
Question - on a non-tracked car, is it normal to replace the front rotors at 30,000. My Porsches are on 70,000 and 40,000 with original pads and rotors all around, so I am not hard on brakes based on my driving habits. No squeals on either of those cars.
SL had new pads replaced at 27,000, so they are 3,000 miles old.
The car has developed an awful squeal from braking at 5-0mph from the front brakes. I have been advised that the worn rotors may be below specifications on visual inspection and they most likely are causing vibrations back through the new pads creating this loud noise. Rear brakes have ahd no issues........
Any general information on this would be helpful....
SL had new pads replaced at 27,000, so they are 3,000 miles old.
The car has developed an awful squeal from braking at 5-0mph from the front brakes. I have been advised that the worn rotors may be below specifications on visual inspection and they most likely are causing vibrations back through the new pads creating this loud noise. Rear brakes have ahd no issues........
Any general information on this would be helpful....
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2002
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Ask for measurements on rotor thickness
https://mbworld.org/forums/wheels-ti...ness-sl65.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/wheels-ti...ness-sl65.html
according to the info I have
Runout limit = .005"
nominal thickness = 1.181"
Minimum thickness = 1.122"
discard at or under = 1.079"
Runout limit = .005"
nominal thickness = 1.181"
Minimum thickness = 1.122"
discard at or under = 1.079"
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Asheville, Atlanta
SL 65 AMG, Porsche 911 (993), 2014 Cayenne GTS, 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited
Thanks for specs
Thanks for specs for double checking......really appreciate it.....still shocked that car only got 30k on rotors..
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: SoCal
98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
Definitely, mic the rotors. But it sounds like you have metal/metal contact -- characteristic of a loud sound on final few mph. Shouldn't be the pads after only 3K but ?? I wouldn't stop inspecting until you find the cause. It IS the brakes. 
Good luck.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Asheville, Atlanta
SL 65 AMG, Porsche 911 (993), 2014 Cayenne GTS, 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited
Thanks....found out dealer replaced pads when front rotors were already toast at 29.5 mm when rotor should have been replaced at 33.5 mm......36 when new..........dealer said they could go to 24, such misinformation on their part.....I sent them the info I received directly from MBUSA Customer Service and a personal commentary....
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 603
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From: Asheville, Atlanta
SL 65 AMG, Porsche 911 (993), 2014 Cayenne GTS, 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited
Problem solved;))))
New front rotors installed today....2 hours labor and saved $ 400.00 on the OE rotors by shopping around.......$ 1850 job altogether.........
NO noise..........worth it!
Dealer replaced pads without replacing toasted rotors causing issue....
NO noise..........worth it!
Dealer replaced pads without replacing toasted rotors causing issue....
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco
'05 SL65
Interesting, I have a similar problem.
On 2005 SL65, I had similar brake noise at the slow speed stops, it sounds like a high pitch squeak.
Couple of days ago my Turbos went MIA, left at the dealer and as expected IC pump was dead, warrantee covered it but they told me I need new pads @28K miles. Pretty sure previous owner didn't touch the brakes (he gave me all his records).
The cars runs better than ever, but I think the squeak is still there. Going to call and ask about the rotors.
How many miles did your have? what MY?
On 2005 SL65, I had similar brake noise at the slow speed stops, it sounds like a high pitch squeak.
Couple of days ago my Turbos went MIA, left at the dealer and as expected IC pump was dead, warrantee covered it but they told me I need new pads @28K miles. Pretty sure previous owner didn't touch the brakes (he gave me all his records).
The cars runs better than ever, but I think the squeak is still there. Going to call and ask about the rotors.
How many miles did your have? what MY?
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 603
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From: Asheville, Atlanta
SL 65 AMG, Porsche 911 (993), 2014 Cayenne GTS, 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited
Shop around for rotors
Make sure rotors are measured and replaced if below spec or the new PADS WILL PROBABLY SQUEAK...........I changed rotors and left my old pads on that only had about 3K on them and squeak is gone on fronts....
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 72
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From: San Francisco
'05 SL65
The squeak doesn't bother me much and I'm not sure if it's still there, only drove the car for an hour since. Do you think it's really an indication the brakes aren't performing well enough?
Autobhan motors is highly recommended and my tech is thier AMG expert so maybe it's a matter of opinion.
3k miles would mean 9 months of saving that expense
I'll call them and ask for the numbers
thanks
Autobhan motors is highly recommended and my tech is thier AMG expert so maybe it's a matter of opinion.
3k miles would mean 9 months of saving that expense
I'll call them and ask for the numbers
thanks
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 603
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From: Asheville, Atlanta
SL 65 AMG, Porsche 911 (993), 2014 Cayenne GTS, 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited
Brakes should not squeak - but....
The brakes operated great even when I had the squeak, so performance was not an issue, as the rotors were past the replacement stage. See earlier posts for numbers, etc..
I just noticed a small squeak this am and it doesn't bother me as long as it doesn't get any louder. It was deafening before the rotors were replaced with the slightly used pads...........
Front rotors are 36mm when new and replacement # is 33.5, mine were 29.5 mm....the brakes will still work okay, but there is a very slight chance in hard braking, say at the track or emergency, the rotor, if past the point of replacement can disintegrate and cause a braking problem, etc....
My mechanic also used a anti-brake squeal spray on the rotors before seating in the brakes which helped.......he also filed down the edges of the brake pads all around to eliminate the squeal caused by static vibration of the bads against the rotors....he also used brake paste on the edges as advised...........hope this helps, etc...
hope that helps.........if you find out anything different let me know..
I just noticed a small squeak this am and it doesn't bother me as long as it doesn't get any louder. It was deafening before the rotors were replaced with the slightly used pads...........
Front rotors are 36mm when new and replacement # is 33.5, mine were 29.5 mm....the brakes will still work okay, but there is a very slight chance in hard braking, say at the track or emergency, the rotor, if past the point of replacement can disintegrate and cause a braking problem, etc....
My mechanic also used a anti-brake squeal spray on the rotors before seating in the brakes which helped.......he also filed down the edges of the brake pads all around to eliminate the squeal caused by static vibration of the bads against the rotors....he also used brake paste on the edges as advised...........hope this helps, etc...
hope that helps.........if you find out anything different let me know..
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From: Los Angeles
2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe; 2011 GLK 350 w/ Premium 1, Multimedia & Sport Appearance; I LOVE IT!
General rule is replace rotors every other pad replacement.
SL65 is a heavy car; 30,000 miles sounds about right.
SL65 is a heavy car; 30,000 miles sounds about right.
