GLC43 rear brake pads worn at 19K miles?
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 26
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2017 GLC43, 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
GLC43 rear brake pads worn at 19K miles?
I'm new to this forum and just came back from a service visit where the dealer told me the rear pads are down to 2mm and 3mm, respectively, and will set off the wear sensor soon. I saw the wear warning as I drove home...hmm. They suggest replace rear rotors, pads, etc for over $800.
Been driving high-performance vehicles for 20years. My GLC43 has only been driven on the street - never tracked. 19K seems like half the brake wear life I'm used to, not to mention these are the rears.
Anyone else seeing brake wear like this? Last thing I want to do is spend $800 on crappy brakes that will only last 19K. Are there aftermarket pads that work better? I can't imagine the rotors actually need replacing...
Anyone have any advice?
Been driving high-performance vehicles for 20years. My GLC43 has only been driven on the street - never tracked. 19K seems like half the brake wear life I'm used to, not to mention these are the rears.
Anyone else seeing brake wear like this? Last thing I want to do is spend $800 on crappy brakes that will only last 19K. Are there aftermarket pads that work better? I can't imagine the rotors actually need replacing...
Anyone have any advice?
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 703
Likes: 136
From: Northeast, USA
GLC43, GTI, X3, Mazda3
I forget where I saw it on the forums here, but I believe it's been said the rears wear faster than the fronts...cant remember why. 19k does seem like quick wear, esp for just street driving and I'd be shocked if you actually need new rotors...are you hard on your brakes?
The pads produce a lot of dust, so it's possible they wear fairly quickly. Someone else in the GLC43/63 thread just put Disc Italia Hyper Ceramic pads on their 43 and said it's a world of difference in dust...perhaps they will last longer.
Do you have a trusted indy mechanic near you? Maybe have them check the brakes to confirm and get an estimate. MB dealer prices are prob gonna be double anywhere else. Hope that helps.
The pads produce a lot of dust, so it's possible they wear fairly quickly. Someone else in the GLC43/63 thread just put Disc Italia Hyper Ceramic pads on their 43 and said it's a world of difference in dust...perhaps they will last longer.
Do you have a trusted indy mechanic near you? Maybe have them check the brakes to confirm and get an estimate. MB dealer prices are prob gonna be double anywhere else. Hope that helps.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
2017 GLC43, 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
I forget where I saw it on the forums here, but I believe it's been said the rears wear faster than the fronts...cant remember why. 19k does seem like quick wear, esp for just street driving and I'd be shocked if you actually need new rotors...are you hard on your brakes?
The pads produce a lot of dust, so it's possible they wear fairly quickly. Someone else in the GLC43/63 thread just put Disc Italia Hyper Ceramic pads on their 43 and said it's a world of difference in dust...perhaps they will last longer.
Do you have a trusted indy mechanic near you? Maybe have them check the brakes to confirm and get an estimate. MB dealer prices are prob gonna be double anywhere else. Hope that helps.
The pads produce a lot of dust, so it's possible they wear fairly quickly. Someone else in the GLC43/63 thread just put Disc Italia Hyper Ceramic pads on their 43 and said it's a world of difference in dust...perhaps they will last longer.
Do you have a trusted indy mechanic near you? Maybe have them check the brakes to confirm and get an estimate. MB dealer prices are prob gonna be double anywhere else. Hope that helps.
For better or worse, this pretty much saps my confidence in MB service & parts (I let my service advisor know too). Maybe I'll be back for warranty work only...
Newbie
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: TX
GLC 43. 2018
AMG. SUV AMG. I hope my GLC43 won’t need pads at 20k, sounds like it is time to start my GLC maint saving account. I had to special order all season 20s to avoid new summer tires every 20k. Breaks however need to to be SUV AMG worthy. I expect the same -G from 130 as from 60.
Super Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 781
Likes: 72
From: Ohio
2017 E400 Coupe & 2018 GLC43
the front and rear pads (Disc Italia Hyper Ceramic Pads) cost $300 shipped. www.brakeworld.com is where i purchased them.
i have been running ceramic dust pads on all of my cars and they still have lots of depth to the pad even at 70,000 miles. strongly suggested.
rotors would not be needed at this low of mileage...it is simply the protocol for the dealer to always replace pads and rotor as a pair. big profit for the dealer. trust me pads is all you need.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 26
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2017 GLC43, 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
~ this is the route simply because of the excess dust. this didn’t work well for the perfectionist in me.
the front and rear pads (Disc Italia Hyper Ceramic Pads) cost $300 shipped. www.brakeworld.com is where i purchased them.
i have been running ceramic dust pads on all of my cars and they still have lots of depth to the pad even at 70,000 miles. strongly suggested.
rotors would not be needed at this low of mileage...it is simply the protocol for the dealer to always replace pads and rotor as a pair. big profit for the dealer. trust me pads is all you need.
the front and rear pads (Disc Italia Hyper Ceramic Pads) cost $300 shipped. www.brakeworld.com is where i purchased them.
i have been running ceramic dust pads on all of my cars and they still have lots of depth to the pad even at 70,000 miles. strongly suggested.
rotors would not be needed at this low of mileage...it is simply the protocol for the dealer to always replace pads and rotor as a pair. big profit for the dealer. trust me pads is all you need.
Is it me, or are the rear pads pretty small?
Super Member
Joined: May 2012
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From: Ohio
2017 E400 Coupe & 2018 GLC43
A very easy install.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 26
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2017 GLC43, 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
What's the price? I'd consider, but I'm also thinking I need something better than stock..
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Northeast, USA
GLC43, GTI, X3, Mazda3
Yeah, rears seem pretty small especially compared to the monsters on the front.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 26
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2017 GLC43, 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
Super Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 781
Likes: 72
From: Ohio
2017 E400 Coupe & 2018 GLC43
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 18
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From: Altadena, California
GLC43 AMG SUV 4Matic
I realize this thread is exactly a year old, but I thought it might be time to register an account and start participating with other MB owners.
The "check brake wear" light just came on at 24,900 miles on my 2018 GLC43 SUV. Since purchased new in January 2018, I've driven it pretty gently on a few 1,000 mile interstate round trips, and the rest is weekday commuting between work and home. The service tech said nothing about brake pad wear at my 20,000 mile service just a couple of months ago.
I presume it is the rear brake pads that set off the warning light based on the other posts here discussing the low mileage life on the rear pads in particular. I found Akebono EUR1872 ceramic pads at RockAuto for about $51 including wear sensors. I'm going to give 'em a try.
Question for the more experienced: Is there any inherent problem mixing brands between front and rear if both brands are the same kind of compound (ceramic or semi metallic)? It seems few companies manufacture both front and rear pads for this vehicle, the DiscItalia being a rare exception, and I don't want to spend $300+ dollars on brake pads for the type of driving I do.
The "check brake wear" light just came on at 24,900 miles on my 2018 GLC43 SUV. Since purchased new in January 2018, I've driven it pretty gently on a few 1,000 mile interstate round trips, and the rest is weekday commuting between work and home. The service tech said nothing about brake pad wear at my 20,000 mile service just a couple of months ago.
I presume it is the rear brake pads that set off the warning light based on the other posts here discussing the low mileage life on the rear pads in particular. I found Akebono EUR1872 ceramic pads at RockAuto for about $51 including wear sensors. I'm going to give 'em a try.
Question for the more experienced: Is there any inherent problem mixing brands between front and rear if both brands are the same kind of compound (ceramic or semi metallic)? It seems few companies manufacture both front and rear pads for this vehicle, the DiscItalia being a rare exception, and I don't want to spend $300+ dollars on brake pads for the type of driving I do.
Super Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 781
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From: Ohio
2017 E400 Coupe & 2018 GLC43
I have used the Akebono ceramic pads for the last 15 years on multiple cars and love them. A change I make a soon as I purchase a new car. These pads will truly last 70k along with nearly zero dust at a great price!
There will not be any issues with different material pads front to rear.
If you need a dyi let me know, I generated one years ago. Simple job.
There will not be any issues with different material pads front to rear.
If you need a dyi let me know, I generated one years ago. Simple job.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 18
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From: Altadena, California
GLC43 AMG SUV 4Matic
I am interested in the DIY if you could provide the link or URL -- I'll gladly take a trail that has already been blazed by someone else whenever possible.
One final question: is it correct to presume the ABS is sophisticated enough to modulate brake caliper pressure in response to different pad compositions between front and rear?
Thanks again!
One final question: is it correct to presume the ABS is sophisticated enough to modulate brake caliper pressure in response to different pad compositions between front and rear?
Thanks again!
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 59
Likes: 6
2018 GLC 63
I have used the Akebono ceramic pads for the last 15 years on multiple cars and love them. A change I make a soon as I purchase a new car. These pads will truly last 70k along with nearly zero dust at a great price!
There will not be any issues with different material pads front to rear.
If you need a dyi let me know, I generated one years ago. Simple job.
There will not be any issues with different material pads front to rear.
If you need a dyi let me know, I generated one years ago. Simple job.
When you replace the pads, do you keep the stock rotors? Do they last the 70K? Thanks.
Super Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 781
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From: Ohio
2017 E400 Coupe & 2018 GLC43
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Sarasota, Florida
2023 E450 Cabriolet, 2019 F150 Platinum, 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T
Just spotted this thread, nobody really covered why the rear pads wear so fast.... in short all the nanny devices....
Distronic uses rear brakes to slow you down
Lane Active Assist
Steering Active Assist
I shut Steering off...
Distronic in traffic is a pad killer....
Watch all the brake dust on the rears after using Distronic on a trip...
Distronic uses rear brakes to slow you down
Lane Active Assist
Steering Active Assist
I shut Steering off...
Distronic in traffic is a pad killer....
Watch all the brake dust on the rears after using Distronic on a trip...
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 3
From: Altadena, California
GLC43 AMG SUV 4Matic
GLC43 Brake Rotor and Pad Alternatives
I am interested in the DIY if you could provide the link or URL -- I'll gladly take a trail that has already been blazed by someone else whenever possible.
One final question: is it correct to presume the ABS is sophisticated enough to modulate brake caliper pressure in response to different pad compositions between front and rear?
Thanks again!
One final question: is it correct to presume the ABS is sophisticated enough to modulate brake caliper pressure in response to different pad compositions between front and rear?
Thanks again!
Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 222
Likes: 22
From: Montreal
GLC63 AMG S Coupe
Well, I answered my own question. I found a tutorial on YouTube and replace the rear pads with ceramics, and everything worked just fine. My front rotors were worn down to the 34mm minimum serviceable thickness with the soft organic OEM pads in less than 30,000 miles of pretty tame commuter and highway driving. Last Saturday I installed a pair of Fremax rotors and Centric ceramic pads on the front. I bedded the pads using the widely prescribed accellerate-and-slowly-brake process. The car slows and stops like it should, and the brake pedal feel seems unchanged. I've been teleworking due to the compulsory social distancing thing, so it might be some time before I can provide a follow-up review of the durability. I will say the ceramic pads on the back produced noticeably less dust than the organic pads on the front.
Thanks.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 397
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2010 Audi S4, 2019 GLC 43,07 BMW Z4 M coupe
Well, I answered my own question. I found a tutorial on YouTube and replace the rear pads with ceramics, and everything worked just fine. My front rotors were worn down to the 34mm minimum serviceable thickness with the soft organic OEM pads in less than 30,000 miles of pretty tame commuter and highway driving. Last Saturday I installed a pair of Fremax rotors and Centric ceramic pads on the front. I bedded the pads using the widely prescribed accellerate-and-slowly-brake process. The car slows and stops like it should, and the brake pedal feel seems unchanged. I've been teleworking due to the compulsory social distancing thing, so it might be some time before I can provide a follow-up review of the durability. I will say the ceramic pads on the back produced noticeably less dust than the organic pads on the front.
