S70Houston

Brakes have quite a bit of squeaking going on, and I am wondering if there is an easier fix then doing a complete brake job, as the pads look good (Wondering if the previous owner put some cheap aftermarket pads on the car, causing this annoying noise??????).

Questions:
- Is there an easy fix that could possible help make this go away?
- Can I remove the calipers from the rotors, so I can remove the pads and sand them down a bit in order to roughen up the surface and to get rid of some dirt/dust which may have collected on there WITHOUT having to bleed the brakes? Do the calipers simply slide off in order to remove and re-install the pads?

Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you very much in advance.

YCHU

I don't know about easy fix to get rid of squeaks, but you can just remove the calipers from the rotors and you won' t need to bleed.
For front, you don't need to remove the caliper to remove the pads.

S70Houston

Do these cars have an electronic sensor, indicating a worn brake pad on the instrument cluster?
Or are the pads designed to make noise once they are beyond their wear limit and a metal part is scraping on the rotor, making this terrible squeaking sound?
After closer inspection today, it appears that the front pads are worn and there is not much meat left.

YCHU

It has brake pad sensor on the right side. If your pads are all worn out, you probable need new rotors too.

EasyPhil

Mercedes introduced "speaking" brake pad tech about 20 years ago.

S70Houston

So if I understand you correctly, what you are saying is that what I am hearing is the "speaking pads", letting me know it is time to replace?

Bobitza

Speaking, squeaking ... tomato, tomato.

S70Houston

VERY helpful advice, THANK YOU.
Why did I not think of this???????

supralance

My right front was squealing, really annoying & embarrassing. I removed the pads without removing the calipers. There is a sensor that will light up on the dash when the pad wears too low. I spread anti-squeal on the back of the pads and put brake grease on the moving parts, problem solved. Brakes are quiet now.

llcd

Where do you buy the anti squeal grease?

Thanks,

EasyPhil

A packet often comes with a set of brake pads. I believe you can purchase the Mercedes brand at the dealer or you can try any auto supply place for other brands.

S70Houston

I do have some additional questions, please excuse my ignorance. Hopefully you will be able to help:

- If the light on the dash is not on yet, am I safe to assume that the brakes will still be fine as the sensor has yet to touch the rotor?
- Could you be a bit more specific in regards to what exactly is used as the "ANTI SQUEAL" on the back of the pads? Is there a product called ANTI-SQUEAL?
- Wondering how this Anti-Squeal will help on the back of the pads? Do the pad backs rub against the caliper?
- Does one take the moving parts apart to put brake grease on them, or simply apply while installed?
- Is this all pretty self explanatory once the wheel is removed? I am mechanically inclined, so I am hoping this is not too difficult of a job and no brake bleeding is necessary once I do this?

Thanks very much for your help in advance, all input is greatly appreciated.

Sumit Bhasin

Hi,
I'm in Houston as well witht eh exact same car 2007 S550 with the exact same problem. My front brakes were worn out so I replaced both calipers and pads (Brembo ceramics). Ever since the replacement, my front brakes squeal like nothing. My mechanic adjusted them but it didn't help. I haven't tried the paste but just lookup any Mercedes S550 replacement videos and they show where to apply the anti-squealing paste on the backside of the pads. I haven't found the time to do it but do let me know if it works for you.

S70Houston

I am not in Houston, I am in Sacramento, CA. My User Name reflects the Siemens S70 Lightrail Vehicle which I built for the Houston Metro Lightrail System here in Sacramento years ago.

I will try the paste as well as lubrication and thorough brake cleaning next week after Labor Day and will report accordingly.
I sure hope it will eliminate the problem, as the squeaking is down right embarrassing when coming to a stop with this high end luxury vehicle.

S70Houston

Did exactly as described by SUPRALANCE today.
Cleaned everything thoroughly, applied ani-squeal on the back of the pads and lubed the moving parts. So far so good, can no longer hear any squealing, so I hope the issue has been resolved.

Pads had surprisingly plenty of meat left on them.

Thanks everyone!

tgrant56

hey so my mechanic says I have 50% meat on the front and 30% meat in the back what percentage is it recommended to change at ? and when doing a break change on these cars can you just replace the pad or does the caliper and rotor have to be replaced at the same time ?

S70Houston

With the amount of meat left, I would spend a couple of hours and 20 bucks for anti-squeal and grease to lube things up and to make the pads last a bit longer.

Depending in what shape your rotors are, you can only replace the pads. The caliper does not need to be replaced as long as fully functional.
Not sure on recommended percentage of meat when to replace, but there is a sensor on one of the front as well as rear pads, which will provide a message on the dash when the pads are worn.

I will need to change the rotors next time I change pads, as mine are starting to show groves. If you are mechanically inclined, a brake job on these cars is fairly simple, and the brakes do not need to be bled if only changing pads and rotors. Lots of good YouTube videos out there for a brake job on a W221 as well.

S70Houston

Even though my issue with squeaking brakes has mostly been resolved, it is still happening in VERY SLOW traffic, and when slightly applying the brakes.

At decent speed and when approaching a traffic light or stop sign, NO NOISE WHATSOEVER.
However, when in very slow stop and go traffic (i.e. in a drive through line) and slightly applying the brakes, the noise is back.
ANY IDEA AS TO WHY????? And what to do to possibly taking care of this, as it is still pretty annoying.

I also notice it more when the brakes are warm, compared to cold in the mornings.

Thanks Guys.

S70Houston

ANYONE?

MBS430

I would try the following:
1. take off the pad,
2. clean with steel brush then spray brakekleen ($8) from amazon. put old towel/rag underneath, there will be some dirty drips
3. apply CRC brake quiet (orange sticky, $6 at amzon), at the back of the pad (follow instruction!), NOT the pad surface that contact with rotor
4. apply brake grease on both the pad ear

these should be a cheap effort to address the issue. the front pad is even easier to remove, compare to the rear

S70Houston

If you read below thread in detail, you will see that all you are suggesting already has been done, as the squeal existed at ALL times.
Now, it only happens during slow speed, minimal brake pressure.

MBS430

ahhh ... I missed that.
good luck in troubleshooting it. I bet it's annoying to hear the squeal. post it here if you find it.

S70Houston

VERY annoying.
Wondering if it is maybe the rotors?