Rod Spohn

This will be the first time I"ve needed to do the brakes on my car. No Brake light but have grinding sound. Is it true you can't turn the rotors and need to replace them with each brake Job ??? Seems strange but thats what I was told by a machanic. Hoping he was just trying to sell a high dollar brake job. If I do need to change them where is a good place to pick them up ( other than the dealer )
Thanks

Mark Pedersen

Rotors should last more than one set of pads, but should not be "turned".

aaaaa5star

I used these guys on a diff. benz they were good. brakeworld http://www.brakeworld.com

Peter Guenther

You should have had a brake pad lamp before the grinding, I was told MB rotors are too thin to be turned, get a second opinion. They all should not go bad at the same time, but I would replace them in axle pairs.

dlafever

My rules of thumb regarding MB brakes have always been:

- Only replace the rotors if they are too thin (min thickness stamped on the rotor egde) or warped
- Never turn the rotors, it is not worth it
- Always use rotors from someone who knows MB parts (i.e. find a good independent parts dealer)
- A set of rotors usually will outlast several sets of pads
- Rears usualy outlast fronts 3:1
- Replace the pads and sensors together, and therefore only buy pads along with sensors.


-D

Rod Spohn

Thanks for all the help & ideas. I'll be checking this out over the holidays. Im curious to find out why the Brake lamp on the dash hasn't come on. Was told the car had always been serviced @ the dealer. Would a sticky caliper be the cause ? Reason I ask is it doesn't seem to be consistant. sometimes it makes the noise sometimes not. Again thanks, Rod

electric blue

Opinions vary to some degree on turning rotors and it's a shock to most people when their told they will need to replace their rotors especially when they hear the price. The last time your brakes were worked on maybe the mechanic didnt connect the sensor correctly. It's pretty much a straight forward connection but they sometimes give a problem pluging in all the way. You really have to push hard at times to make them seat right. If you have a deep rim around the outside of your rotors top edge and around the inside I would replace them, this is known as dished out. I dont personally turn rotors on imports, whether it be Saab Volvo Bmw or Jag. I do however replace pads if that's all the customer can afford.

I just want to comment that the brakes on German cars even Swedish cars are straight forward except for VW an some Volvo's where you have to turn the piston back in instead of pressing back. Japanese cars thou sometimes give me hell. On some makes they have what they call captured rotors and when they have to be replaced their very hard to take off. Most dealerships like honda they have a walkup style rotor machine. They can turn your rotors without having to remove them. Last time I replaced rotors on a Japanese car a 93 honda accord I had to take the knuckle completely down. Talkin about alot of work!!!!!!!!!!!