Two new E55's and the same problem WTF!!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 326
From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Two new E55's and the same problem WTF!!
Tested 2 new 2006 E55's, both had between 13-15 miles on them and they both had a very bad vibration when applying the brakes at speeds above 40 mph, the entire car shook and the steering wheel shimmied like mad. The car's were both brand new and were at two totally seperate dealers. There was only a very slight rusting on the rotors and after the test drive the rust was gone but the problem remained. What could be going on, something missed during PDI or at the VPC? Any of you MB Techs know what the cause is? Thank you.
Last edited by RJC; Apr 16, 2006 at 05:03 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 326
From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Originally Posted by vettdvr
Sounds like warped rotors. Now about that quality control?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
My guess....
Both cars sat for a while with wet rotors/pads and there was a reaction between the pads and rotors causing bad spots on the rotor surfaces (I bet both cars came off the same line at the same time). The vibration you feel is the pads passing these bad spots and releasing/grabbing. Before pads and rotors are broken in properly they are open to this happening. I'm guessing it is superficial in this situation and will go away once a break in procedure or just more normal driving is done. This is usually attributed to 'warped rotors' but there is no warping involved....especially in this case since the cars weren't driven enough to generate any heat to speak of. This is why you need to be careful when installing new rotors and pads. Break in is more important than most people realize. It can also be responsible for the often complained about squealing. Are these SBC brakes?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 326
From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Originally Posted by mleskovar
Both cars sat for a while with wet rotors/pads and there was a reaction between the pads and rotors causing bad spots on the rotor surfaces (I bet both cars came off the same line at the same time). The vibration you feel is the pads passing these bad spots and releasing/grabbing. Before pads and rotors are broken in properly they are open to this happening. I'm guessing it is superficial in this situation and will go away once a break in procedure or just more normal driving is done. This is usually attributed to 'warped rotors' but there is no warping involved....especially in this case since the cars weren't driven enough to generate any heat to speak of. This is why you need to be careful when installing new rotors and pads. Break in is more important than most people realize. It can also be responsible for the often complained about squealing. Are these SBC brakes?
Last edited by RJC; Apr 17, 2006 at 01:17 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Oakland, CA
1988 300 TE, 2001 ML55 AMG, 2003 ML350 Service Truck
Brake shudder
Take a look here:
http://www.theworkshopmercedesbenz.c...akeshudder.pdf
This may shed some light on the subject, but I am sure the dealer knows about this.
Happy Motoring!
http://www.theworkshopmercedesbenz.c...akeshudder.pdf
This may shed some light on the subject, but I am sure the dealer knows about this.
Happy Motoring!
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: Dublin, OH
05 ML350, 85 300D
Being SBC, you shouldn't feel high spots on rotors- there is no feedback to the pedal directly.
With the E55s, I have noticed that the tires flat spot badly and you feel it in the situation you mention. Hard driving fixes it- and I mean HARD!! As long as the car gets driven fairly regular after that - all is good.
With the E55s, I have noticed that the tires flat spot badly and you feel it in the situation you mention. Hard driving fixes it- and I mean HARD!! As long as the car gets driven fairly regular after that - all is good.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Originally Posted by MBTech21
Being SBC, you shouldn't feel high spots on rotors- there is no feedback to the pedal directly. .
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: Dublin, OH
05 ML350, 85 300D
My bad there- you are right - it could impact the steering, etc.
So used to the brake vibration issue, I must have read right over the complaint
We had an E55 here that sat all winter on the lot- drove it last week for delivery, no issues- maybe an enviromental issue? Funny- less rust in Ohio than in FL
I would still drive (and flog) the car- probably fixed in 20 miles or so, if it is the tires or the rotors.
So used to the brake vibration issue, I must have read right over the complaint
We had an E55 here that sat all winter on the lot- drove it last week for delivery, no issues- maybe an enviromental issue? Funny- less rust in Ohio than in FL
I would still drive (and flog) the car- probably fixed in 20 miles or so, if it is the tires or the rotors.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 326
From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
The rotors were not that rusty at all. I did pick up the car and they replaced all four rotors and all pads, a rusted/broken pin was also found. The vibration when applying the brakes is gone. All Conti 2 tires were replaced with Michelin Pilot Ps2's and the car rides 90% better; I still have a slight shimmy in the steering wheel first thing in the am but nothing like the Conti 2's; I would have to imagine the E55 has alot of extra weight up front due to the supercharger, liquid intercooler and all related parts which puts extra pressure on the tires.
