Premature rear brake pad wear
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1
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2014 GL63
2016 GL63 Right rear rear brakes already grinding on rotot.
I have a 2015 GL350 with 45k miles. Recently, the Check Brake Wear warning light came on. I pulled the front wheels and there is plenty of pad left, perhaps 40%. Certainly at least 30%. In either event, not enough to turn on the warning light unless MB is trying to make a few bucks changing pads that don't really need it.
I then pulled a rear wheel and found that the rear pads are, indeed, getting down to where they need replacement. I find this odd for two reasons. First, 45k miles seems a bit early to wear through a set of pads, though I'm sure stopping a 5600# truck tends to wear out pads. The second thing, and I find this even more odd, is that it's the rear pads that are wearing out long before the fronts. I'm thinking that just shouldn't happen.
I tow more than occasionally and that certainly could contribute to faster than normal brake pad wear even though the trailer has brakes. But, it's still very odd that the rears are wearing quicker than the fronts.
Does anyone have any idea why the rears would wear faster than the fronts?
I then pulled a rear wheel and found that the rear pads are, indeed, getting down to where they need replacement. I find this odd for two reasons. First, 45k miles seems a bit early to wear through a set of pads, though I'm sure stopping a 5600# truck tends to wear out pads. The second thing, and I find this even more odd, is that it's the rear pads that are wearing out long before the fronts. I'm thinking that just shouldn't happen.
I tow more than occasionally and that certainly could contribute to faster than normal brake pad wear even though the trailer has brakes. But, it's still very odd that the rears are wearing quicker than the fronts.
Does anyone have any idea why the rears would wear faster than the fronts?
Next time I buy a car that's beed test driven by more than 100 miles, I'm going to ask for new brakes and tires before purchasing. I'm also suspecting brakes may have been swapped.
Last edited by Kyu Tachibana; Jan 5, 2021 at 11:54 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
The rear pads have a pin that needs lubrication. If the lubrication fails, the inside pads will stick against the rotor and wear prematurely. $1k for rear brakes/rotors is laughable.
