GLE43"amg" to GLE63AMG Complete Brakes Conversion
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GLE43"amg" to GLE63AMG Complete Brakes Conversion
I have just completed full conversion of my GLE43AMG brakes (same brakes are on ML550) to Silver GLE63AMG brakes (same brakes are on ML63).
Following is a full list of parts with part numbers (some of the info is well known and some is less so) required:
1. Rotors:
A. Front 166-421-05-12 MB OEM or 09.B805.11 Brembo(this is what I installed) or 400369820 Zimmermann
B. Rear 166-423-05-12 MB OEM or 09.B710.11 Brembo(this is what I installed) or 400369920 Zimmermann
2. Calipers (Silver):
A. Front (Brembo): 166-421-28-98 and 166-421-37-98
(FYI Red calipers p/ns are 166-421-40-98 and 166-421-41-98).
B1. Rear (TRW/OEM): 166-423-07-81 and 166-423-08-81
(FYI Red calipers p/ns are 166-423-09-81 and 166-423-10-81).
B2. Rear Brake Carrier Brackets: (2) 166-423-06-06
(FYI Red brackets p/n is (2) 166-423-07-06).
(MSRP difference between Red and Silver is $1,100 or about $750 discounted on-line).
Calipers include all hardware required to install them, except for mounting bolts:
M14 front p/n 019-990-56-01 (2 required) and M12 rear p/n 018-990-00-01 (2 required).
Do not re-use your current mounting bolts! These are one time use items.
Transfer your current rear parking actuators to new rear calipers.
3. Brake pads:
A. Front MB OEM 008-420-20-20 (you can go aftermarket, but make sure friction of the aftermarket pads is GG, do not settle for anything less)
B. Rear MB OEM 007-420-86-20 (you can go aftermarket, but make sure friction of the aftermarket pads is GG or GF, try not get FF)
Everything above is a straight bolt on with NO other parts need/required. Depending on you car's age, consider changing flexible brake lines (they are under $100 for the full set of four) front p/n 166-420-03-48 (2) and rear p/n 166-420-04-48 (2).
When done, bleed, bleed and yet again bleed your new brake calipers following correct procedure (yes pumping brake pedal because hydraulic system was opened when new calipers were installed) until no bubbles and brake pedal is firm.
I know this info was asked for before by a few posters.
Following is a full list of parts with part numbers (some of the info is well known and some is less so) required:
1. Rotors:
A. Front 166-421-05-12 MB OEM or 09.B805.11 Brembo(this is what I installed) or 400369820 Zimmermann
B. Rear 166-423-05-12 MB OEM or 09.B710.11 Brembo(this is what I installed) or 400369920 Zimmermann
2. Calipers (Silver):
A. Front (Brembo): 166-421-28-98 and 166-421-37-98
(FYI Red calipers p/ns are 166-421-40-98 and 166-421-41-98).
B1. Rear (TRW/OEM): 166-423-07-81 and 166-423-08-81
(FYI Red calipers p/ns are 166-423-09-81 and 166-423-10-81).
B2. Rear Brake Carrier Brackets: (2) 166-423-06-06
(FYI Red brackets p/n is (2) 166-423-07-06).
(MSRP difference between Red and Silver is $1,100 or about $750 discounted on-line).
Calipers include all hardware required to install them, except for mounting bolts:
M14 front p/n 019-990-56-01 (2 required) and M12 rear p/n 018-990-00-01 (2 required).
Do not re-use your current mounting bolts! These are one time use items.
Transfer your current rear parking actuators to new rear calipers.
3. Brake pads:
A. Front MB OEM 008-420-20-20 (you can go aftermarket, but make sure friction of the aftermarket pads is GG, do not settle for anything less)
B. Rear MB OEM 007-420-86-20 (you can go aftermarket, but make sure friction of the aftermarket pads is GG or GF, try not get FF)
Everything above is a straight bolt on with NO other parts need/required. Depending on you car's age, consider changing flexible brake lines (they are under $100 for the full set of four) front p/n 166-420-03-48 (2) and rear p/n 166-420-04-48 (2).
When done, bleed, bleed and yet again bleed your new brake calipers following correct procedure (yes pumping brake pedal because hydraulic system was opened when new calipers were installed) until no bubbles and brake pedal is firm.
I know this info was asked for before by a few posters.
Last edited by threeMBs; Jan 19, 2022 at 08:09 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 475
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From: Florida
Aston Martin Vantage, GLE 43 AMG, Volvo XC60, BMW X1 35i, Ram 1500, BMW Z4 35i
Do you track your GLE? Wondering why you went thru the expense for this? Bigger brakes certainly look a bit better.
IMO the 43's brakes are 'adequate' and I tow a boat with surge brakes, and drive rather aggressively...
however when I track my BMW I certainly am very rough on brakes and could see the need to upgrade to a 6 pot caliber and more rotor/pad area...
Are you running stock wheels? Any clearance issues?
IMO the 43's brakes are 'adequate' and I tow a boat with surge brakes, and drive rather aggressively...
however when I track my BMW I certainly am very rough on brakes and could see the need to upgrade to a 6 pot caliber and more rotor/pad area...
Are you running stock wheels? Any clearance issues?
Last edited by whitewagon; Jan 22, 2022 at 06:42 AM.
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I bough Calipers online from MB dealers (mostly from MB of Baton Rouge) for 30% off retail(no tax if they ship out of state). I used significantly less expensive BREMBO rotors instead of OEM. I was able to source OEM front and rear pads on eBay for 50% off retail (there was only one set each). Most importantly, I installed everything myself (it was quite an effort, but it is a totally different story). So instead of spending over $5.5K for Silver calipers from my local dealer, it cost me only about a half.
AMG brake certainly look a LOT better (not just a bit). Both front and rear larger perforated rotors with totally different huge front beautiful BREMBO Calipers. There is no comparisons in looks.
Yes I actually like GLE43's 21" stock wheels a lot. I was already running 20mm front and 15mm rear spacers for both looks and better cornering. But yes, front Brembos do require at least 12mm spacers for stock wheels to fit. (For 9" wide wheel you need front offset of about et41 or less).
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 475
Likes: 149
From: Florida
Aston Martin Vantage, GLE 43 AMG, Volvo XC60, BMW X1 35i, Ram 1500, BMW Z4 35i
I'm going to add spacers and likely just paint calipers and the hubs... it's surprising the rear rotors aren't drilled... all my pads and rotors have less than 10k miles on them, but when I need new front rotors I think I can get aftermarket drilled ones...
The calipers are nice looking but the silver can get lost in the wheel a bit.
Thanks for write up
The calipers are nice looking but the silver can get lost in the wheel a bit.
Thanks for write up
Thread Starter
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
I'm going to add spacers and likely just paint calipers and the hubs... it's surprising the rear rotors aren't drilled... all my pads and rotors have less than 10k miles on them, but when I need new front rotors I think I can get aftermarket drilled ones...
The calipers are nice looking but the silver can get lost in the wheel a bit.
Thanks for write up
The calipers are nice looking but the silver can get lost in the wheel a bit.
Thanks for write up
1. keep the calipers (the cover plate matches the "Mercedes Benz" insignia of the fronts);
2. upgrade to 345mm rear rotors used by all X166 GLS/GL, drilled Brembo p/n for 345x22 rear rotors is 09.A961.21,
3. requirement of going to 345x22 rear rotors is changing rear brake caliper carries (a.k.a. brackets) to the brackets for X166 550/450/350, p/n 166-423-02-06. Rear brake pads really are the same (size wise) for all (there are differences, but I won't go into it because it does not apply here).
EDIT: regarding #2 and #3 above. Today it is practically impossible to find aftermarket (not-OEM) drilled 345x22 rotors in stock anywhere. So one would be better off to purchase 63's 345x26 rotors, Brembo p/n 09.B710.11, with 63's rear brackets, p/n 166-423-06-06. For whatever reason, 63's silver rear brackets cost only about 1/2 of all "lesser" models' silver brackets, so it will be easier on the wallet too.
Last edited by threeMBs; Jan 28, 2022 at 10:32 AM.
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From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
2015 E3504 Sport
Thanks for the write up they look great and imho I am just floored the MBenz would put an AMG product out there with out the Brembo AMG brake packages! I have struggled to find write ups on the GLE AMG43 so I appreciate the thread and was wondering if you have don any other mods besides the brakes the tires to yours?
Rogers
Rogers
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I have installed SprintBooster (IMHO it is a requirement for all W166/X166 platform cars including 63s) when car was new and Dinan "tuner" p/n D440-0035 soon after. Car has benefitted greatly as both provide an incredible bang for the buck giving just "enough" bump in usable performance across all car's modes (C, S and especially S+).
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Joined: May 2021
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W166 ML350 BlueTec
Hey all,
I am currently in the process of doing this conversion on my W166 ML350 using calipers off a ML63 with the AMG performance package. I have the same GLE 21" rims as the OP and I was doing a test fit today to realise that I will definitely need some spacers (or a new set of AMG wheels with a better offset) as they don't clear the wheels. What spacers would anyone recommend to get the clearance? Is there a decent brand that anyone has used? Would appreciate some pointers on this.
Also thanks for the writeup threeMBs.
Cheers
I am currently in the process of doing this conversion on my W166 ML350 using calipers off a ML63 with the AMG performance package. I have the same GLE 21" rims as the OP and I was doing a test fit today to realise that I will definitely need some spacers (or a new set of AMG wheels with a better offset) as they don't clear the wheels. What spacers would anyone recommend to get the clearance? Is there a decent brand that anyone has used? Would appreciate some pointers on this.
Also thanks for the writeup threeMBs.
Cheers
Last edited by BullDozer; Mar 9, 2022 at 06:09 AM.
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
To clear front Brembo ML/GLE 63 calipers for 9" wide wheel, offset of about 40 (et40) is required. To be safe, 15mm front spacers for OEM 21x9 et53 OEM will do (for offset of et38). I use only H&R spacers, for 15mm p/n is 3055665. Extended 60mm shank 14x1.5 R14 bolts must be used.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 475
Likes: 149
From: Florida
Aston Martin Vantage, GLE 43 AMG, Volvo XC60, BMW X1 35i, Ram 1500, BMW Z4 35i
I have installed SprintBooster (IMHO it is a requirement for all W166/X166 platform cars including 63s) when car was new and Dinan "tuner" p/n D440-0035 soon after. Car has benefitted greatly as both provide an incredible bang for the buck giving just "enough" bump in usable performance across all car's modes (C, S and especially S+).
Especially having mo money in my pocket than a 63S, I'm shopping for a 987.2 Boxster now for a top down car
Last edited by whitewagon; Mar 10, 2022 at 06:36 PM.
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W166 ML350 BlueTec
To clear front Brembo ML/GLE 63 calipers for 9" wide wheel, offset of about 40 (et40) is required. To be safe, 15mm front spacers for OEM 21x9 et53 OEM will do (for offset of et38). I use only H&R spacers, for 15mm p/n is 3055665. Extended 60mm shank 14x1.5 R14 bolts must be used.
Thread Starter
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
Stock/factory/OEM Mercedes W166/X166 bolts are 45mm shank (actually a fraction less than that), at least in NA (are you in AU?). Can you post a picture of your bolt(s)?
Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
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W166 ML350 BlueTec
. Will order a set of H&R 60mm bolts (1456002SW). Thanks mate
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 22
Likes: 11
From: CA
2018 GLE350
I have just completed full conversion of my GLE43AMG brakes (same brakes are on ML550) to Silver GLE63AMG brakes (same brakes are on ML63).
Following is a full list of parts with part numbers (some of the info is well known and some is less so) required:
1. Rotors:
A. Front 166-421-05-12 MB OEM or 09.B805.11 Brembo(this is what I installed) or 400369820 Zimmermann
B. Rear 166-423-05-12 MB OEM or 09.B710.11 Brembo(this is what I installed) or 400369920 Zimmermann
2. Calipers (Silver):
A. Front (Brembo): 166-421-28-98 and 166-421-37-98
(FYI Red calipers p/ns are 166-421-40-98 and 166-421-41-98).
B1. Rear (TRW/OEM): 166-423-07-81 and 166-423-08-81
(FYI Red calipers p/ns are 166-423-09-81 and 166-423-10-81).
B2. Rear Brake Carrier Brackets: (2) 166-423-06-06
(FYI Red brackets p/n is (2) 166-423-07-06).
(MSRP difference between Red and Silver is $1,100 or about $750 discounted on-line).
Calipers include all hardware required to install them, except for mounting bolts:
M14 front p/n 019-990-56-01 (2 required) and M12 rear p/n 018-990-00-01 (2 required).
Do not re-use your current mounting bolts! These are one time use items.
Transfer your current rear parking actuators to new rear calipers.
3. Brake pads:
A. Front MB OEM 008-420-20-20 (you can go aftermarket, but make sure friction of the aftermarket pads is GG, do not settle for anything less)
B. Rear MB OEM 007-420-86-20 (you can go aftermarket, but make sure friction of the aftermarket pads is GG or GF, try not get FF)
Everything above is a straight bolt on with NO other parts need/required. Depending on you car's age, consider changing flexible brake lines (they are under $100 for the full set of four) front p/n 166-420-03-48 (2) and rear p/n 166-420-04-48 (2).
When done, bleed, bleed and yet again bleed your new brake calipers following correct procedure (yes pumping brake pedal because hydraulic system was opened when new calipers were installed) until no bubbles and brake pedal is firm.
I know this info was asked for before by a few posters.
Following is a full list of parts with part numbers (some of the info is well known and some is less so) required:
1. Rotors:
A. Front 166-421-05-12 MB OEM or 09.B805.11 Brembo(this is what I installed) or 400369820 Zimmermann
B. Rear 166-423-05-12 MB OEM or 09.B710.11 Brembo(this is what I installed) or 400369920 Zimmermann
2. Calipers (Silver):
A. Front (Brembo): 166-421-28-98 and 166-421-37-98
(FYI Red calipers p/ns are 166-421-40-98 and 166-421-41-98).
B1. Rear (TRW/OEM): 166-423-07-81 and 166-423-08-81
(FYI Red calipers p/ns are 166-423-09-81 and 166-423-10-81).
B2. Rear Brake Carrier Brackets: (2) 166-423-06-06
(FYI Red brackets p/n is (2) 166-423-07-06).
(MSRP difference between Red and Silver is $1,100 or about $750 discounted on-line).
Calipers include all hardware required to install them, except for mounting bolts:
M14 front p/n 019-990-56-01 (2 required) and M12 rear p/n 018-990-00-01 (2 required).
Do not re-use your current mounting bolts! These are one time use items.
Transfer your current rear parking actuators to new rear calipers.
3. Brake pads:
A. Front MB OEM 008-420-20-20 (you can go aftermarket, but make sure friction of the aftermarket pads is GG, do not settle for anything less)
B. Rear MB OEM 007-420-86-20 (you can go aftermarket, but make sure friction of the aftermarket pads is GG or GF, try not get FF)
Everything above is a straight bolt on with NO other parts need/required. Depending on you car's age, consider changing flexible brake lines (they are under $100 for the full set of four) front p/n 166-420-03-48 (2) and rear p/n 166-420-04-48 (2).
When done, bleed, bleed and yet again bleed your new brake calipers following correct procedure (yes pumping brake pedal because hydraulic system was opened when new calipers were installed) until no bubbles and brake pedal is firm.
I know this info was asked for before by a few posters.
also do you know if there is a difference in brakes and rotor mounts if you have a non air-matic suspension vs standard shocks and strut?
Lastly what website do you use in purchasing the Calipers? and rotors? (brembo directly?)
I appreciate this thread and I hope it will work in my case..
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Hi threeMBs.. Thank you for sharing the entire recipe for the break upgrade, just a question here
do you know if this upgrade will work on a basic W166 2018 GLE 350? will it fit and get hooked up on the brackets?
I can not be 100% positive on 350s, but based on my research it should.
also do you know if there is a difference in brakes and rotor mounts if you have a non air-matic suspension vs standard shocks and strut?
Again not sure on 350s, but my understanding that for W166/X166 chassis all those points should be the same regardless of the model.
Lastly what website do you use in purchasing the Calipers? and rotors? (brembo directly?)
OEM pars (calipers, brackets, flexible brake lines, bolts, pads, etc) - https://www.mbpartsource.com, https://parts.mbobr.com or similar.
Brembo rotors: amazon, newparts.com, eeuroparts.com or eBay(partscontainer or something along those lines), whichever is less expansive today, since it had to change significantly from last November when I was buying everything.
I appreciate this thread and I hope it will work in my case..
do you know if this upgrade will work on a basic W166 2018 GLE 350? will it fit and get hooked up on the brackets?
I can not be 100% positive on 350s, but based on my research it should.
also do you know if there is a difference in brakes and rotor mounts if you have a non air-matic suspension vs standard shocks and strut?
Again not sure on 350s, but my understanding that for W166/X166 chassis all those points should be the same regardless of the model.
Lastly what website do you use in purchasing the Calipers? and rotors? (brembo directly?)
OEM pars (calipers, brackets, flexible brake lines, bolts, pads, etc) - https://www.mbpartsource.com, https://parts.mbobr.com or similar.
Brembo rotors: amazon, newparts.com, eeuroparts.com or eBay(partscontainer or something along those lines), whichever is less expansive today, since it had to change significantly from last November when I was buying everything.
I appreciate this thread and I hope it will work in my case..
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Joined: Nov 2019
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From: CA
2018 GLE350
have a wonderful day…
Thread Starter
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 22
Likes: 11
From: CA
2018 GLE350
Thread Starter
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
OK. The reason I am asking is that if you were planning to do red calipers, for rear brackets I still would purchase silver (06-06) instead of red (07-06) to save $400 and would paint them red for $10. It is irrelevant since you are going via silver rout anyway.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 22
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From: CA
2018 GLE350
the thing is the color of my vehicle is Gray and i think it will blend in well.. some pic below..
Last edited by markrym; Apr 12, 2022 at 06:54 PM.
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IMHO going with Brembo replacement rotors or even Zimmermann rotors, would save a lot vs. going with overpriced (and not necessary superior) OEM rotors. All other parts (except for maybe pads, especially those on rear) must be OEM.
Junior Member
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From: CA
2018 GLE350
Oh yes I will definitely go with Brembo rotors not OEM since you gave me the website already.. I will follow your directive regarding the “pads” I will go OEM at that point.. thank you so much this is really exciting for me.. I have been trying to look for a thread like this regarding brakes.. with Complete parts and in detail…
