Dalema

I know somewhere in a thread this was brought up, but can't find it.

Anyway bad vibrations under braking on our GL450 recently. Took it in and indeed it needed new brake rotors (and pads). After only 5,000 miles!

Anyway, service said this was a known issue recently and the replacement rotors are new design / materials. Chalk it up to new model year.

walt2810

Hope it gets resolved for the 14 models. Thanks for the info

fabbrisd1

This is a problem that has come up - not common - but seems to be about 1 out of 10 - MB suspects the rotors are getting contaminated during shipment to Vance from where ever they are coming from - one of the reasons replacement rotors for sedan models are now "Z-Coated"... kindof a bite for some since it takes aboput 4 days to get replacement rotors in - and MB at times has been backordered on replacement GL rotors.

The good news is this - with rotor replacement I have not seen a re occurrence -

sraza

i'm having the same vibration issues too- now replacing with new rotors / materials - are these drilled rears like someone mentioned on the other rotors thread? I spoke to my dealer and they are aware of warped rotors and these vibration issues and have mentioned they'l be more than happy to speak with MB corp for drilled rears..

Dalema

They actually only replaced the front rotors. Told me the rears were okay which I'm fine with after driving but will keep an eye on. Fronts were drilled before and after. I was one of the few that had drilled on the back just as a side note.

They had the rotors in stock, but were out of pads which were on back order from Germany - so just a day delay while they sourced them from another dealership.

Dalema

I would go get them fixed. I hadn't driven ours for a while (wife had it), then we went out of town and it felt downright dangerous driving home - front right was worst practically bouncing the front of the car around. Progressed from me asking my wife if the braking felt a little weird a while back to bad.

ychoi1216

if you don't mind, can you post when is the build date of your car which has the vibration issue?

sraza

mine isnt that bad yet- but def feel it at 30mph and sometimes at 70 (rare)
interesting how/why the rotors get warped..

blittle

Approaching 6K and no brake issues...... build date was mid Feb.

fabbrisd1

There hasn't been a true "build date connection" yet - but the data does shows a "cluster" effect with late-Nov/early-Dec "build"

Crazybob

I have had this same issue..Had all 4 replaced at 5000 miles and now 13000 and starting again...

Crazybob

just to bring you guys up to date. It is in the shop now at 15000 miles getting new rotors and pads all the way around again..This is BS. than they tell me we will replace this time but your warranty was over on them at 12000 miles..I just laughed

fabbrisd1

For Crazed, your dealership at 5K miles made a mistake and replaced only the rotors - and now at 15K you have problems caused by the original contaminated pads... good luck, hope all works well for you !

Crazybob

incorrect..At 5000 miles they replaced all 4 rotors and pads on front and back. now I have a complete new set again with rotors and pads. we will see how this goes

sraza

me and my brothers GL- both same issue- both at about 9000+ miles.
his got done today - mine scheduled to be done later this week- my service guys are awesome and dont really waste our time.. i mentioned to him today that all 4 ideally should be changed- but it appears that the problem is the fronts- theres a thought that rotor might be overheating- to which i point- the rears are probably more important as theyr not drilled- they got my point and for me are ordering both front and back - question is are the new backs gonna be drilled?! i know one member here who got all 4 changed and went from solid to drilled and said issue never recurred..
anyway lets see.. gotta talk to my brother tonight and find out if he has residual vibration cuz he only had fronts done..
its either overheating or the rotor and pad material is just not bonding.. no idea why.. hopefully this doesnt happen again- not pleasant having a 7seater vibrate under your hand and foot at 60-70mph!

Crazybob

I am going to be honest, The first time they did the rotors I am not sure if they where drilled. This set I got today are drilled in the front and the back... I will keep my fingers crossed

sraza

i think hopefullly that should do it .. hopefully i get rear drilled as well..

Crazybob

I sure hope so.

Bossnova3

You guys are lucky, my wife and I picked up her GL 450 on Thursday with 78 miles on it, and drove it a whooping 15 to 20 miles before we started with the vibration issues. Dealer has it since last Friday, but still waiting on parts. Only had the vehicle for about 8 hours and immediately went back to dealer and still waiting. Really frustrated with this issue, and yes the vehicle definitely needs a tune to get a little more pick me up feels very sluggish.

ychoi1216

You are really unlucky. I don't understand "contamination during shipment". Tons of cars and auto parts are shipped from oversea every year. Cheap $20,000 cars have no issue of rotor vibration. I don't understand why luxury car GL only has this problem????? GL has special rotor like Z-coated? MB can't improve the shipping? Hope my GL has no issue of this stupid thing. Fingers crossed.

Bossnova3

LOL, no kidding about my luck but hopefully it'll be resolved ASAP. My only concern is that others that's had their pads and rotors changed has had the issue comeback after a while. Any other suggestion or resolutions out their let us know.

UAG1

would you mind show us some pictures?

thank you

Crazybob

Rear.


Front

Crazybob

Very sunny outside. Best pics I could take

wamochi

bossnova - that has to be bad luck. i would be so mad and demand a new one the ink on your contract was probably still wet! they wouldn't have submitted the papers to MBUSA yet

the cars come by train from Alabama, it's not that far!

just subscribing to see your resolutions and will post if i experience any vibration in the future. so far at 2000 miles the GL has been silky and buttery smooth. picked it up with 11 mi on the odo.