Brake Pads
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I found 3M F9469PC in 1/2" width for $10 a role on Amazon. I used a lot of CRC brake cleaner and towels to clean both the back of the pads and also the mating surfaces on the calipers (pistons on one side, caliper fingers on the other). After the pad backs were all clean and dry, I carefully completely covered the pad shims with with the adhesive tape and reinstalled.
I found 3M F9469PC in 1/2" width for $10 a role on Amazon. I used a lot of CRC brake cleaner and towels to clean both the back of the pads and also the mating surfaces on the calipers (pistons on one side, caliper fingers on the other). After the pad backs were all clean and dry, I carefully completely covered the pad shims with with the adhesive tape and reinstalled.




It's front only and it's rotors and pads. It appears it comes as one unit from mercedes for both wheels according to how it is line item'd in the estimate. I was interested in aftermarket pads and rotors but given the last of information in the web in relation to this for the X167 I decided to just go OEM. I am still interested in hearing about those who have used non OEM parts for their brake systems.




I have yet to have a MB dealer offer just brakes when recommending the job. You have to specifically ask if the rotors are warped, etched, overly rusted and require replacement. Getting repeatedly screwed over on brakes was a big driver for us to start doing our own maintenance. The dealers were telling us to replace brakes and rotors without telling us how much pad was left or if the rotor was warped or etched. The last time we were told we REALLY needed new brakes we still had more than 8mm left. They weren't going to tell me until I specifically asked to see the inspection report...which they also didn't want to give me.




I would definitely ask if the rotors are out of spec in any way. Thickness and run-out at least.
Sometimes they can be turned and still remain within spec, although I wouldn't argue with a shop that says turning rotors is against their policy. I'll bet they have a few comebacks on turned rotors.
Once you know the thickness you can estimate how many miles you can expect, total, on the discs. You don't want the discs to go out-of-spec before your next pads expire.
I may have missed it, but how many miles are on your brakes?
Last edited by mikapen; Sep 9, 2025 at 04:40 PM.
Brake Pads:
Brake Pads:
https://www.amazon.com/POWERSTOP-Car.../dp/B0D4G4M3DY
. $130 total expense including two brake wear sensors.
My 2020 GLS450 was a special order and has the larger U28 Sport Brake System(SPC) option. When I look at the Powerstop website there are no subcategories for the standard or Sport Brake. I would assume a larger brake pad is needed for the Sport Brake, but don’t see that option. What am I missing? Please educate me. Thanks.
My 2020 GLS450 was a special order and has the larger U28 Sport Brake System(SPC) option. When I look at the Powerstop website there are no subcategories for the standard or Sport Brake. I would assume a larger brake pad is needed for the Sport Brake, but don’t see that option. What am I missing? Please educate me. Thanks.
————GPT———————
Short answer: I (CHatGPT) can’t find any PowerStop pads that are confirmed to fit the 2020 GLS450 with the special-order U28 “Sport/High-Power” brake system (SPC). PowerStop’s pads that are sold for the GLS450 (e.g., Z23-2237 front, Z23-2210 rear) are for the standard brake setup and listings don’t indicate U28 compatibility.What does fit U28 (examples for reference)
- Rear OE pad set: Mercedes A000 420 73 03 (aka 000-420-73-03 / A0004207303) — specifically called out as “for cars with High Power Brake System (Code U28).” Aftermarket crosses include Brembo P 50 161, Zimmermann 22723.190.3, and Febi 178655.
- Many parts retailers explicitly exclude U28 on their GLS/ GLE pad listings (they separate “standard” vs. U28 fitment), and PowerStop’s own generic pad pages don’t show a U28-specific fit. The U28 package uses larger rotors and different pad shapes, so the common PowerStop sets won’t match.
- Go OEM using A000 420 73 03 (rear) or use one of the cross-refs above. For the front, Mercedes has multiple superseding numbers depending on build date; the safest path is a VIN lookup with a Mercedes parts desk to pull the U28-specific front pad part number for that exact car. (Retailer catalogs show this variation and often hide U28 under separate part numbers.)
- I recommend double-checking with PowerStop using their Brake Finder (they’ll tell you by VIN/sub-option). As of now, their public pad/kit pages don’t list an application that explicitly includes U28 for the 2020 GLS450.
————- End of GPT——————
As always double check any part numbers before ordering anything based on GPT, but this should at least give you some leads to pursue. Hope that helped.





