mellowyellow

Last year at this time, my 01 ML320 needed front pads at 29K miles. I was unhappy, since it is driven 90% by my wife who is pretty gentle on cars (in general). Well, after reading some stuff here and advice from others with the ML, I figured it was low miles to replace the front pads, but acceptable. I realize the MB pads are pretty dusty and originally considered going aftermarket for the pads, but decided to stay with OEM stuff.

Now, one year later, I took it in for the 4th scheduled service with about 44K on the odo. They say it not only needs new front pads, but rear pads, and get this... All 4 rotors!!?!? You have got to be kidding me. 15K miles later. And the rotors have never been turned. And they are not warped, no shimmy, etc. And the pads only lasted half as long as before??!

I am not sure how this could happen. I would like to measure the thickness of the pads and the rotors and see if the dealer is feeding me a line of krap. What are the thicknesses I should look for? Any other strange things I should look for on the rotors?

Thanks for any advice...

scorchie

You must not be a long time Mercedes owner. Generally Mercedes rotors are sacrificial, meaning you should replace them at least every other pad change. Generally they do not get turned.

They are relatively low cost items, however, and changing them is pretty quick to keep labor time down (for the do-it-yourselfer, as the dealer doesn't seem to pass this labor savings to the customer).

I disagree with most others here and recommend only OEM pads, despite the dust. My experience is that in general driving, the performance is superior, they are quieter, and don't wear the rotors as much.

Also, 44K doesn't seem too bad. Most of my Mercedes that get to that mileage have at least one and maybe two brake replacements, and I think I don't brake very hard either.

-s-

sosh

Do not understand what you are complaining about. This is perfectly normal, particularly with stop and go city driving. Maybe you should not own an ML

mellowyellow

15K pad replacement is normal? I got 29K out of the first set of front pads with basically the same driving behavior. A 50% reduction is NOT normal no matter what you say. No other cars or SUVs I know of (besides high performance cars which you expect) require changing pads at 15K. That is just insane for a SUV. Sounds more like a design defect.

Also, new rotors at 44K is not normal. It might be normal for the ML, but others I know with MLs didn't do this until 60K or more miles, which is why I asked.

So can anyone tell me the thicknesses which I asked in my original post so at least I can verify what the dealer is telling me?

Thanks.

sosh

Look, rotors usually last only 2 sets of pads. No, a 50 percent reduction is not normal, however worn rotors would cause this. As to thickness MB has a min thickness spec for the rotors, ask the dealer what it is. Pad thickness can be see visually as its easy to see whats left. Do you own a micrometer?? How will you check the rotors?? Dealers change them if they feel they will wear out before your next visit. That makes sense to me. Perhaps an Explorer is what you should be driving a friend gets 45000 between pad changes.

Radomir

Did you check the pads? Are they really worn, or the dealer's just trying to milk you out of a $1200-1300?

Were the rear pads ever changed? 44k for rear pads is really good.

anyways, order parts that need replacement yourself, and do a DIY brake job...

PS. I replaced my rotors at 71k.. but that may have been pushing it a little..

scorchie

I can't tell you the minimum thickness... I try to not remember the specs. But that's because it is engraved right into the hub of the rotor. If you remove the wheel and kind of rub on the round part of the hub (not the flat part), you should be able to see the specification.

Note that most mechanics would recommend replacing the rotors BEFORE they reach the minimum thickness, not after surpassing it. So as sosh wrote, if it looks like one more pad set will push it past the minimum, replacement will be recommended.

You have to remember that the brakes are one of the most important aspects of the vehicle, especially in terms of safety. For a dealership or any mechanic to be negligent in any form is just asking for a lawsuit in the US, and even more so here in California.

-s-

Swiss Nick

If you are really concerned about the dealer taking the ****, you are within your rights to ask the dealer to keep all the replaced parts for you. Then you will be able to compare them at another time.

mihir_d

But am told by many that its about time for the rotors...although, visual inspections shows only marginal signs of wear on the rotors...I have another 3-5K mile life left on my front pads...and 8-10K mile life on my rears...am considering doing the rotors this time around when I do the pads...fronts first and then the rears..

My .02 cents..best thing for brakes is DIY...

GDawgC220

The ML's eat brake pads and rotors for breakfast lunch and dinner!

We've had our front pads replaced 4 times, rear pads 3 times, all rotors twice already in 63k miles. It does wear a little faster than other MB's.

Our w220 is still on it's original pads and rotors (all 'round) and still just as strong with no squeeling or anything of the like.

One of the "bad" things 'bout the ML are the longevity of the brakes IMO.

dcdomain

Oh wow... thought I was the odd one out. I don't remember ever having to change the rotors on any of our previous cars. Thought it was because we drove the ML so hard... anyway do ML brakes seem soft to you when compared to say... an X5?

JLLG

According to my WIS program (MB service program) for models 163.113/136/154 and 163.157 USA...

Measurements in mm

Front with Floating caliper:
25 New
23 Wear Limit
23.5 Service limit

Rear with Floating Caliper
15 New
13 Wear limit
13.5 Service limit

As for measuring, the MB tool would work pretty well, search for caliper guage on www.samstagsales.com/mercedes.htm . MB Part number is 140 589 00 19 00 . Try www.buymbparts.com for a better price. I tried getting some micrometers and it is hard to get by dust shield (without taking calipers off on my E320). Have not measure my M yet. If you are looking into doing brakes yourself, check out the caliper spreader on the sam site above, pretty handy.

Hope this helps.

akbro93704

Dont get too upset, hope this makes you feel better, my dad had to get all of his pads AND rotors replaced at only 15,000 miles..but he has a 2003 ML55, and 20" Brabus wheels, which are very heavy are wear the brakes faster than stock wheels.

mdml320

Hi I am a new member and have a 2001 ML320. I am in the same boat as the OP with about 45k miles on my ML. Can anyone point me to a good DIY for brake and rotor replacement. Also, other than buymbparts.com, does anyone have any recommendations for where to get the parts. Thanks a lot

benzboy

MLs are notorious for eating brake pads and rotors. Heavy vehicles with unbalanced wear the front brakes. I'd stay clear of the DIY approach given your milage. IMO If you intend to keep the ML let the dealer service do the job.

Radomir

just curious -- why would you discourage DIY? which mileage is "OK" for DIY?

kfriceman

Mileage 65,000

Parts count include original OEM install off production line.

Currently on:

3rd set of rotors

3rd set of front brake pads

5th set of rear brake pads

The 2nd set of front pads, 4th set of rear pad and 2nd set of rotors failed/wore out in 11,000 miles.

Driving style: In town grocery getting and open freeway driving (no stop-n-go)

11,000 miles a stretch for the pads, but completely unacceptable for a set of rotors.
One dealer says this is normal, the other says its not..either way no one has a fix.
The ML has been a disappointment from day one.....hello Toureg