M-Class (W163) Produced 1998-2005: ML 230, ML 320, ML 350, ML 400 CDI, ML 430, ML 500, ML 270 CDI

how to change brake pads

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Old Mar 2, 2009 | 08:24 PM
  #26  
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a car that can't do the throttle reset.
Originally Posted by SL-ML-C
yes, there is one hex bolt, but after that is removed, a little finesse with a rubber mallet will knock it off the hub.
Awesome. Thanks. I am contemplating giving the brake change a shot. Never did it myself.
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Old Apr 8, 2009 | 04:14 PM
  #27  
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sti_jl, CHILL. stop trying to get into arguments all the time.

searching the forum is good.
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Old Apr 8, 2009 | 04:17 PM
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Originally Posted by pointman
Awesome. Thanks. I am contemplating giving the brake change a shot. Never did it myself.
easy to do... dont be intimidated
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Old Apr 11, 2009 | 12:02 AM
  #29  
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here's a pretty good DIY guide http://www.petefagerlin.com/ML/brakes.htm
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Old Apr 18, 2009 | 08:40 AM
  #30  
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What criteria do you use to decide whether or not to replace or turn the rotors? I have a slight lip (~ 1/8") on the front rotors, nothing on the rear. Was hoping to just put new pads on and hope they seat? If that's just going to cause problems will bite the bullet and replace the rotors as well.

Thnx
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Old Apr 18, 2009 | 08:57 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by JML430
What criteria do you use to decide whether or not to replace or turn the rotors? I have a slight lip (~ 1/8") on the front rotors, nothing on the rear. Was hoping to just put new pads on and hope they seat? If that's just going to cause problems will bite the bullet and replace the rotors as well.

Thnx
Rotors are NOT to be turned. Thats ban absolut no no. They must be miced and be above the minimum thickness ot replaced. Simple as that.
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 04:36 PM
  #32  
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I also got about 40K miles out of my brakes in my 98ML but my 05ML is another story. The 98ML's did Not have the stability program where as my 05 ML Has the stability program that tends to eat brakes.
Mike
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 07:41 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by Mike's ML
I also got about 40K miles out of my brakes in my 98ML but my 05ML is another story. The 98ML's did Not have the stability program where as my 05 ML Has the stability program that tends to eat brakes.
Mike
The 98 is also a much lighter vehicle that requires less braking to stop. I think that it may be more of that than the lack of the stability system
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Old Apr 24, 2009 | 06:51 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by sosh
The 98 is also a much lighter vehicle that requires less braking to stop. I think that it may be more of that than the lack of the stability system
My 05ML eats rear brakes 2 times more more than the front brakes, which is just the opposite of the 98ML. That is due to driving style and mostly the stability program. The ML500 brakes are much bigger and also have fixed calipers which more than compensates for the increase in weight. Also the later ML utilize the rear brakes more in straight line braking than normal brake systems as part of the stability program operation.
Mike

Last edited by Mike's ML; Apr 24, 2009 at 06:55 PM.
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Old Apr 24, 2009 | 07:05 PM
  #35  
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I still share 'sosh's' opinion...

Originally Posted by Mike's ML
My 05ML eats rear brakes 2 times more more than the front brakes, which is just the opposite of the 98ML. That is due to driving style and mostly the stability program. The ML500 brakes are much bigger and also have fixed calipers which more than compensates for the increase in weight. Also the later ML utilize the rear brakes more in straight line braking than normal brake systems as part of the stability program operation.
Mike
Mike I have 2 cars (including the ML) both of which have ESP & 4 channel independent EBFD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution). At least with EBFD, you would think, that the brake pad wear between the fronts & the rears would even out, but still, on both, my front pads wear quicker than the rears..

I think, the primary contributing factor for longer brake life on your 98 ML was its lighter weight. It could also be that the newer MLs use even softer brake pad material for improved braking and handling...
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Old Apr 24, 2009 | 09:54 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by mihir_d
Mike I have 2 cars (including the ML) both of which have ESP & 4 channel independent EBFD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution). At least with EBFD, you would think, that the brake pad wear between the fronts & the rears would even out, but still, on both, my front pads wear quicker than the rears..

I think, the primary contributing factor for longer brake life on your 98 ML was its lighter weight. It could also be that the newer MLs use even softer brake pad material for improved braking and handling...
I agree with you re the vehicle weight. The 98 also did have the traction control which applied braking when activated. On the 98 that I had when traded had 44000 with the original brakes, The 02 ML500 I had had 40K with the original brakes. I also feel that the W164 brakes are better from the standpoint of no squeal and life expectancy. I currently have just about 30K on my 06 and at inspection a couple of weeks ago I still have over 50% left.The W164 brakes are a redesign from the W163.
The late W163's were substancially heavier than the 98's. Weight and driving habits are the biggest factor in brake life. Remember the ESP in the later W163's is only activated with wheel slip or vehicle sliding like on ice.
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 09:41 AM
  #37  
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I would hope that the Mercedes ESP systems work long before wheel slip. ESP is usually activated by inputs such as steering angle sensor and yaw rate sensors and is supposed to correct for understeer or oversteer.
The 4ETS traction control in the 98ML and 05ML is what limits wheel slip.
And yes, I do understand that ESP and 4ETS are incorporated into the same electronic system but provide very different functions.
Mike
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 12:41 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by Mike's ML
I would hope that the Mercedes ESP systems work long before wheel slip. ESP is usually activated by inputs such as steering angle sensor and yaw rate sensors and is supposed to correct for understeer or oversteer.
The 4ETS traction control in the 98ML and 05ML is what limits wheel slip.
And yes, I do understand that ESP and 4ETS are incorporated into the same electronic system but provide very different functions.
Mike
You are correct and both use braking of a wheel to accomplish their job. However most of the brake application comes from the 4ETS system as that comes into play more often than ESP in normal driving conditions and also icy conditions. Thus most of the "phantom" brake wear is from the 4ETS which is on the 98.
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 02:40 PM
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Well I guess we will have to agree to disagree.
Mike
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Old Sep 12, 2010 | 09:39 PM
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found this is forum search, just so u know it still is useful to newer members.
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