jmiaebrown

Can someone give me a step by step on changing rear brake pads? 2000 S430?
I'm ready to take the plunge!!!
Thanks.

Oxygen

I have boundless respect for anyone willing to service their own W220...

Here's what ya have to do:



Remove/Install

DANGER:

* Risk of poisoning from swallowing brake fluid. Risk of injury from skin and eye contact with brake fluid.
* Pour brake fluid only into suitable and appropriately marked containers. Wear protective clothing and eye protection when handling brake fluid.

1 Remove wheels

Inspecting
2 Check brake pads and brake disks
CAUTION: If the brake pads are worn down beyond the permissible wear limit, the web between sealing groove and dust cap may be damaged, for this reason, check braking system for leaks using pressure gauge
3 Check fixed caliper (31a, 31b) for leaks and dust seal for damage
NOTE: If the fixed caliper is leaking or the dust seal is damaged then replace fixed caliper on front axle and replace fixed caliper on rear axle.

Remove/Install
4 Separate left front brake pad contact sensor connector (S10/1x1) and right rear brake pad contact sensor connector (S10/4x1) and pull out brake pad.
NOTE: Right and left side
CAUTION: See notes on installing brake pad wear contact sensors.
5 Drive out retaining pins (41) using a suitable drift punch (035)
NOTE: Installation: Drive in retaining pins as far as the stop using a suitable drift.
6.1 Pull brake pads (43) out of fixed brake caliper (31a, 31b)

* With brake pads that move easily.

6.2 If necessary, with seized brake pads use the pressing out lever (043) to press out the brake pads.
CAUTION:

* When pressing out the brake pads, insert a suitable wooden or plastic wedge between the lever and the fixed caliper.
* Installation: Do not use sharp or pointed implements to clean the brake pad guides. Install front axle brake pads (43) with niro panel (43a) dry. The marking (see arrow) on the niro panel (43a) must point in the running direction of the relevant wheel.
* Only sets of brake pads approved by Mercedes-Benz may be installed.
* Dispose of brake pads as special waste.
* Please ask local authorities if it is permitted to dispose of these parts as household-like industrial refuse.

7 Press back piston using resetting device (031)
CAUTION: Draw off some brake fluid beforehand if necessary, to prevent the brake fluid reservoir overflowing when pressing back the piston.
NOTE:

* On 4-piston fixed calipers on the front axle, secure one pair of opposing pistons with wedges to prevent them from sliding out. Then press back the other pair of pistons using the resetting device.
* If the piston is difficult to move then replace fixed caliper on front axle and replace fixed caliper on rear axle.

8 If necessary, clean the perforation in the brake disks
NOTE: Use a corresponding 4.3 mm dia. drift punch or drill for cleaning.
CAUTION: See notes on repairs to brake system
9 Install in the reverse order
DANGER:

* Risk of accident when commissioning the vehicle due to a lack of braking effect when the service brake is operated for the first time after repair work.
* Before commissioning the vehicle, operate the brake pedal several times until the pressure in the brake system is built up and maintained.

10 Operate brake pedal several times until brake pads contact brake discs (firm resistance detectable).
11 Check brake fluid in brake fluid reservoir and correct if necessary.

jmiaebrown

Oxygen!!!! Good lookin' out!!!! You the best. Where can I get a drift push? Is this a special tool?

Oxygen

Yes it's a tool. It's picture on the top left image, item #035.

newton22

You don't absolutely have to have one. Get any sturdy metal piece that's thin enough (such as a drill bit that you don't care for damaging) and it would work.

Tips:
-Uncap the brake fluid reservoir cap and put a towel over it. This will absorb all the fluid coming out when you are compressing the pistons.
-Lock the car and put the key somewhere safe. Never open any doors or activate the car at all while working on the brakes.

Takes a few hours. Have fun.

jmiaebrown

Thanks Newton.. Noted. A couple more questions guys.

7. Press back piston using resetting device (031)

What is the resetting device? Should I get the pads from Mercedes or is there another brand I can use? Also, Is the anti squeal applied directly on the pad? And finally... this may sound dumb but... should I jack it up and put in on stands or jack up one side at the time.... want to mitigate any airmatic issues.

newton22

I didn't use that device. I used pliers and a screwdriver. Tape the edge of your rotors and avoid damage to the rotor. Then pry the pistons back using the edge of the rotor. Just be careful.

My S came stock with Jurid pads. I went with Pagids just to try them out. They're not that great. I would just go back to stocks.

Antisqueal to applied to the back of the pad, the metal part, and specifically, where the pistons touch the pad.

You using jackstands? Jack the front side or the rear side up. I don't recommend jacking one side of the car (i.e. left side or right side) up (though I've done it before). I strongly advise against jacking the whole car up with jackstands.

jmiaebrown

Thanks Newton. I mean jacking it up and then setting it down on the stands. So I should just jackup the rear side I am working on?
I am hoping that really all I will need is the anti-squeal. I just got the rears done in August!!

kenstudios

Pliers, screw driver, c-clamp all work the same. Old drill bit, long nail, old screw driver that you don't care about all work well. Remember to get some non squeak jell from your regular parts store. Also ensure you check your rotors. If they have a big lip, get new ones. Once finished don't forget to go through a brake in process.

jmiaebrown

I think I may take a video of the repair job. A video "how to" would be cool!!!

fkong777

Just did a brake job DIY. Took me about 2 hours because I took pictures of the entire job. The job was actually easier than a lot of other cars. you only have to remove pins and springs dont have to remove the caliper to reset the piston. I think a saved a bundle. $100 for brake pads and a couple of hours. thats all.

jmiaebrown

Please post pics!!

fkong777

I hope the server have enough space for me.

legal notes: These instruction and illustration is for my record only. Using them as reference at your own risk.. This is my record of a DIY procedure and unless you are confident enough to handle a brake pad replacement job, I strongely suggest you to let your mechanic perform the job. I only work on my own car. I should not be responsible to any mishaps or damages for another vehicle other than my own. One who reads this post and attempt to replace Mercedes Benz brake is doing so at his own risk.

Here goes.
1. Remove wheel. I have a compressor and Impacts. it helps.
2. open the brake fluid resorvior cap.. surround it with paper towel to avoid spills.
3. flatten a nail to use as a driver to drive the pins out.
4. disconnect brake wear sensor and use a wide mount plier to clamp down the brake pads to reset caliper position. (use a rag if you dont want to scratch your caliper)
5. slide old pad out.

fkong777

6. remove the plate from old pad. Clean it with a rag.
7. spray disc brake quiet on new pad then transplant the plate and spray disc brake quiet on again. best to wait a couple min to let disc brake quiet compound to dry slightly
8. find the pad with holes in the top side.
9. transplant brake wear sensor to the pad.
10 slide new pad back in.

fkong777

11. Clamp the inner side pad to reset the caliper position.
12. Slide the inner pad out.
13. transplant plate and spray disc brake quiet compound.
14. slide new pad back in.
15. reinstall pin and retainer spring. plug in brake wear sensor.
tip - drive pin back in one at a time. Push on the spring to release the tension. it will let you drive the pin back in easier.
16. you are done with 1 side of the front brake.
repeat on the other side.

fkong777

rear brakes.
1. remove wheel.
2. drive brake retaining pin out. and remove retainer spring
3. clamp brake pad to reset caliper postion
4. slide pad out.
5. remove pear shape plate from old pad.

fkong777

6. spray disc brake quiet compound on pad then transplate the pear shape plate to the pad.
7. spray another layer of disc brake quiet compound.

8. slide in new pad
9. repeat procedure for inner pad
10. reinstall retainer spring and drive pin back in
Now you have completed one of the rear brakes.

fkong777

The Passenger side rear brakes has a brake wear sensor.
Handle the rear brake wear sensor similar to the front pads.

Put the brake reservoir cap back on!

put your wheels back on!!!!

step on the brake pedal fully about 10 times This will give the pad contact to rotors. let your car roll and test to make sure you can stop the car before going on a drive.

Go for a drive and bed in the pads.

NOTES
1. be careful with the sensor. They look fragile. You may want to get new sensors just in case you damage your old ones or they have already worn down. 3 sensor total on the car 2 @ front and 1 @ rear.

2. To change rotors you will need to remove the caliper and rotor retaining screw. good time to paint the caliper at this time.

3. Try to keep parts reasonably clean. You dont have to make it into a lab like environment but avoid putting grease and dirt on pad and rotor surface. after all brakes will get dirty. just keep it neat.

4. If you see deep groove on rotor - Change them.

5. try to Change your brake early before you wear down the brake wear sensor. any sound of squeal is a good indication you need to change the pad. Plus you may get by without changing the rotors.

jmiaebrown

Thank You!

Darknessph

wow, nice writeup :-)

fkong777

BTW cost on this job was $100.
I got pads from ebay. rotorwork is the seller and brand of the pads are Posi-quiet. They work pretty good. low dust too. pads was just about $100 shipped.

raycanales

nice writeup I need to do this to my 02 S500 .. what kind of pads are those?

I have looked on ebay maybe Im not looking for the right items?

thanks

jmiaebrown

Hands down the best right up I have seen as of yet.

newton22

Awesome job fkong.

kenstudios

Good to see this forum going back to the way it used to be. Sensible writeups. Great.