SolidGranite

Hello 63 owners. Hopefully this is the right place to post this even though it's not for W166. I don't see a forum for W166 ML63s though..

Anyway, I've had my ML63 for about a month now and no matter the temperature the brakes will randomly squeal when coming to a slow standstill. Now this isn't your typical Mercedes brake squeak... It's at least 10x louder than that and Mercedes has yet to find a fix. The squeal was so loud my SA could hear it from inside his office before they even opened the garage to the service facility. I've had it in for repair of this issue 3 times now and they have yet to figure out how to resolve.

It's so bad that when I keep my foot on the brake while moving just slow enough the squeal will not stop and I can actually feel vibrations in the brake pedal. This can't possibly be ok.

According to a bulletin I've acquired from my SA it's due to something with the front axle. I don't know about you guys but that scares the crap outta me. Can this possibly cause additional significant damage? Is this safe? My dealer is playing it off like no big deal but I'm genuinely worried and have started to consider lemoning the car.

What do you guys think? Should I lemon it? Please find the bulletin attached to this post.

Thanks for all thoughts and considerations!

Maverick1975

Never heard of such an issue but that is definately worth lemoning it i think. Thats just unacceptable...you dont hear that on the prmotional videos thats for damn sure....

Nav

That's interesting.

I complained about the squeal on my 2012 ML63 and they chalked it up to build up on the discs as well as this being common on premium vehicles due to the inherent compound of the brake pads. They said they can service the brakes by cleaning them. The SA also mentioned that in the near future, an option for an alternate compound brake pad can be requested that will eliminate the squeal but have a shorter life span?

Not sure what to think but will wait until this is sorted. The squeal is not acceptable. The sound they make as I'm entering the parking garage at work is embarrasing!

kompressed one

I've had mine for about 3 months and the squealing occurs randomly but seems to be getting worse. I initially thought it occurred in cooler weather but that's not the case. Haven't had a chance to take it in yet for this issue. Also in "ECO" mode the transmission shifting from 2nd to 1st seems a rough on occasion like "S+" in my CLS before the car warms up. Wonder if this has anything to do with the "front axle"??

SolidGranite

Sounds quite similar. Does it sound like an 18 wheeler coming to a stop sometimes?

I've already called MB customer care to start a case. I suggest taking yours in soon because this may be causing unknown damage.

Alex.M

Same squealing issue with our 2013 ML63.

clk200

I occasionally get a slight squealing noise almost always when the car is cold, but was expecting it as the manual already warned about this (see extract below), but it should be neither constant nor loud.

"..........
High-performance brake system for AMG vehicles

The high-performance brake system is designed for high loads. This may lead to noise when braking. This is dependent on:
speed
braking force
environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity.
The wear of individual brake system components such as the brake pads/linings or brake discs depends on individual driving style and operating conditions.

For this reason, it is impossible to state a mileage (service life) that will be valid under all circumstances. An aggressive driving style will lead to high wear. You can obtain further information about this from your Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.

New or replaced brake pads/linings and discs only reach their optimum braking effect after several hundred kilometres of driving. Compensate for the reduced braking effect by applying greater force to the brake pedal. Always be aware of this and adapt your driving and braking accordingly during the running-in period.

Excessive heavy braking results in correspondingly high brake wear. Observe the brake wear warning lamp in the instrument cluster and note any brake status messages in the multifunction display. If you regularly drive at high speeds, it is particularly important to have the brake system checked and maintained regularly."

SolidGranite

Which is what I expect. This however is well beyond anything slight.

AVB-AMG

I posted the following in this Forum back in 2008. It appears that M-B AMG's still have this issue....

"The brakes have squeeled/squeaked from day 1 on both my previous '04 E55 AMG as well as my current '07 ML63 AMG. I have given up asking the Dealer to attempt to fix them since it always comes back..... (WHY?)
It was worse on the E55 but still rather disconcerting at the least and rather embarrasing when making a "grand entrance" in front of friends and business associates. The snide comments about the break squeals are starting to get old, especially from my die-hard BMW owner friends...

Do all AMG's have this problem?

I wonder if the ceramic brakes available on some models have this issue or not?

AVB-AMG

SolidGranite

My 2011 SL63 never did it once. My buddy has a C63 BS and his does squeak but nothing like what we're discussing here.

spyderman

My 2012 ml 63 squells like a pig in pain when I come to a stop once they have some heat in them. I own some semi track cars and they do not have any of the squealing that my ml has...Porsche gt3rs 2011 and a Ferrari Scuderia included. I was hoping for some answers when i clicked on this thread...and no answers yet? People look at me strangely when I come to a final stop thinking I am too cheap to replace my pads. I have 4500 miles on my truck. This is not right!

SolidGranite

Hello Spyderman. You should not put up with such loud squealing. Get it in to the dealer and insist they fix it.

I have opened a case with Mercedes to track everything that is happening. Given they have pretty much admitted they cannot fix it I may be lemoning the vehicle very soon.

Did you see the bulletin I attached to the first post?

WCH BOS

My 2012 has also begun sequealing. It's due for service next month and we'll see what the dealer says.

Maverick1975

My ML used to squeal a bit but since I switched to Brembo GT big brake kit a few ears ago I have not had a single squeak since. All my other AMGs squeal a bit depending on conditions.

ML63 AMG

There are two ways to get rid of the squeal. Once is do "re-bed" the pads in. You basically do 20 HARD 80-20mph aggressive stops (80-0 if you can) in a row. You need the pads to "bite into the rotor surface. This will eliminate it for a while, but ultimate it comes down to wrong compound.

Carbotech1521 are the best street pads, zero dust and noise. They will cure your problem and are worth every penny.

South Ocean1

SolidGranite

I know the embarrassment of squeaking brakes. My 2011 E63 had it so bad that even though I love everything about the car, I would have considered selling if I couldn't get it fixed/improved. I sounded like a rough Chicago taxi cab when pulling up to a light.

Re-bedding the brakes did not work for me. Ultimately, after several trips to the dealer, they agreed to replace the pads and de-glaze the rotors. That improved it a lot but didn't eliminate it all together. I can live with it now - I can just never change the rotors again for fear the squeak returns in force. . .

I hope that is helpful info. I really empathize with your plight!

Keep us posted.

EVOII_Racer

This is clearly unnacceptable and very dissapointing! But, given how amazing the ml63 is why wouldn t you buy a brembo kit instead of getting rid of it?

SolidGranite

MB just offered to buy it back over the phone. However... I'd really just prefer them to fix it! Will keep you guys posted.

SolidGranite

Are you using the Carbotechs on your ML63? What model year do you have? I think I'd like to give them a try!

Thing is though...I wish I could get a recording but this just isn't your average high performance brake squeak/squeal. I'd say it's comparable to an 18-wheeler but quite a bit less high pitched. More of of long drawn out whine. I can even feel it in the brake pedal... Has anyone else felt some vibration in the pedal when the squeal occurs?

vcruiser

Mine does it as well (2013 ML63)
Called my salesman

He said to drive fast and break hard and suddenly like an a s s hole for a a day and the problem should go away.

I was hesitant, but it seems to have worked.

I don't drive the car often, as i got it for my mom.

My G63 doesnt seem to have any issues with squealing tho!

ML63 AMG

I ran carbotechs on my other exotics that were squealing and they cured them. On my ML63, I am running RacingBrake 2-piece rotors and stop tech pads up front, stock read rotors and pads. I track my ML63 regularly and because of that they never ever squeal because they are always being bedded in. I will eventually swap rear rotors to 2-piece as well and run stock rear AMG pads.

Will do a full writeup on everything soon.

Staff@WORLD

We havve a solution for the brake squeal that we do here when we do brake jobs. We have a spray that we get from Germany that we spray on the FACE on the pads and the surface of the rotors before we install the brakes. We also add the high temp paste to the back of the pads and that eliminate the brake squeal that is associated with the Mercedes Benz brakes that will drive you crazy.

I have the spray in stock and can sell it to you for $23.00/can.

SolidGranite

My dealer already applied some sort of spray which they acquired from Germany. I don't know about the high temp paste though..

The spray made zero difference.

Staff@WORLD

It works for us. You definitely need to apply the high temp paste on the back too. It's from a company named Wurth. there are a lot of cheaper versions of the paste out but they do not work as well. Good luck with your problem, I know how annoying it can be.

ML63 AMG

Sprays and pastes are temporary solutions. Pad compound and bedding process are usually the only two real solutions. I have never had to use spray or paste ever on my AMGs. And when I used it on my M3 they only worked for couple hundred miles before it came back. Those are band-aid solutions