Grinding sound (ABS sound) when braking at low speed
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 448
Likes: 3
From: CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
2003 S430, 2014 E350
Grinding sound (ABS sound) when braking at low speed
Hey all,
I have a problem here... Sometimes when I brake below 20mph. I hear a grinding abs sound. Sounds like it's coming from the front left. I don't have any CEL or ABS or malfunctions. What can it be? Its intermittent, happens not all the time.
I have a problem here... Sometimes when I brake below 20mph. I hear a grinding abs sound. Sounds like it's coming from the front left. I don't have any CEL or ABS or malfunctions. What can it be? Its intermittent, happens not all the time.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
I would start by physically examining the brakes. If the pads and/or rotors are worn, just replace them.
If the pads and rotors are good, you might just need to "burnish" the brakes. This requires finding a time and place where you can get away with driving erratically. Accelerate to fifty mph and brake firmly to almost a full stop. Repeat six or eight times. Drive moderately home so that the brakes can cool, and let the brakes cool completely.
Another approach that sometimes quietens grumbling or squealing brakes is to pressure wash the brakes thoroughly.
But the first and most important thing to do is to actually examine the brakes.
If the pads and rotors are good, you might just need to "burnish" the brakes. This requires finding a time and place where you can get away with driving erratically. Accelerate to fifty mph and brake firmly to almost a full stop. Repeat six or eight times. Drive moderately home so that the brakes can cool, and let the brakes cool completely.
Another approach that sometimes quietens grumbling or squealing brakes is to pressure wash the brakes thoroughly.
But the first and most important thing to do is to actually examine the brakes.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 358
Likes: 14
From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Mercedes SL63 AMG; Mercedes E63 AMG S 4matic; Mercedes C43 AMG; Mercedes S Class, Mercedes GLK
I've had this as well, and it wasn't brakes/rotors. Happens intermittently but has never hampered overall performance of the vehicle so haven't worried about it.
