S550 4Matic rear brakes dragging after pads & rotors
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04 E55 AMG (totaled), 07 S550 4Matic, 14 E63S
S550 4Matic rear brakes dragging after pads & rotors
Anyone run into this? Just did new rotors and pads on the rear and they are dragging. I have run into this on my Cadillacs and the culprit is the phenolic piston somehow expands and binds in the caliper bore. Is that an issue on the W221 as well? I have PTSD from this now so I was quite disappointed...
Judging by the wear of the rear pads and rotors I suspect this was a preexisting issue and I did not cause it by screwing something up. The Akebono pads did NOT come with any hardware so I had to reuse everything. I also hope the parking brake isn't dragging but the rotors slid right on so I think it's safe to rule that out.
Was going to do Centric remans from Rockauto unless someone has a better idea. Plus I can squeeze in a brake flush.
Judging by the wear of the rear pads and rotors I suspect this was a preexisting issue and I did not cause it by screwing something up. The Akebono pads did NOT come with any hardware so I had to reuse everything. I also hope the parking brake isn't dragging but the rotors slid right on so I think it's safe to rule that out.
Was going to do Centric remans from Rockauto unless someone has a better idea. Plus I can squeeze in a brake flush.
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04 E55 AMG (totaled), 07 S550 4Matic, 14 E63S
I'm going to try something I've always wanted to try: new pistons and seals. And new other stuff while I'm at it. But same bracket and caliper.
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04 E55 AMG (totaled), 07 S550 4Matic, 14 E63S
I replaced the rear caliper pistons, seals and boots, as well as refreshed all of the brake hardware. This was a satisfying job AND it fixed the issue. I should have measured the old pistons to see if they swelled. Made a long video detailing the process. Needless to say this is not rocket science but there are some things I learned on the first side that made the other side go WAY faster, as usual.
Flushed and bled all 4 corners.
Incidentally the brake pedal is actually squishier because I think the pistons weren't retracting properly before so that artificially made the brakes firmer. I will let the pads bed in and hopefully it will improve a little. Maybe this is how it is supposed to feel. Not worried about it either way, because the car actually rolls properly now. Pleased with that.
Flushed and bled all 4 corners.
Incidentally the brake pedal is actually squishier because I think the pistons weren't retracting properly before so that artificially made the brakes firmer. I will let the pads bed in and hopefully it will improve a little. Maybe this is how it is supposed to feel. Not worried about it either way, because the car actually rolls properly now. Pleased with that.
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04 E55 AMG (totaled), 07 S550 4Matic, 14 E63S
I'll have to comment after they are broken in. I don't think I'll notice much honestly, since it's the rear. Drove into work with it. The brake pedal does feel a little softer but also more linear. It felt non-linear when I first got the car because, again, I think the rear pads weren't fully retracting. It felt like it hit hard with very little travel but then didn't increase force in the way you'd think. Now it feels normal.
The Quickjack is the 6000ELX. Pricey but happy with it so far. It has vastly improved the quality of life in terms of doing automotive work in my garage. It's the only one that's long enough for the W221. The marketing shows a Tesla Model S and a W221. Funny thing is I actually ordered it a week or two before I bought this car, because I had a feeling I'd end up with one.
The Quickjack is the 6000ELX. Pricey but happy with it so far. It has vastly improved the quality of life in terms of doing automotive work in my garage. It's the only one that's long enough for the W221. The marketing shows a Tesla Model S and a W221. Funny thing is I actually ordered it a week or two before I bought this car, because I had a feeling I'd end up with one.
I'll have to comment after they are broken in. I don't think I'll notice much honestly, since it's the rear. Drove into work with it. The brake pedal does feel a little softer but also more linear. It felt non-linear when I first got the car because, again, I think the rear pads weren't fully retracting. It felt like it hit hard with very little travel but then didn't increase force in the way you'd think. Now it feels normal.
The Quickjack is the 6000ELX. Pricey but happy with it so far. It has vastly improved the quality of life in terms of doing automotive work in my garage. It's the only one that's long enough for the W221. The marketing shows a Tesla Model S and a W221. Funny thing is I actually ordered it a week or two before I bought this car, because I had a feeling I'd end up with one.
The Quickjack is the 6000ELX. Pricey but happy with it so far. It has vastly improved the quality of life in terms of doing automotive work in my garage. It's the only one that's long enough for the W221. The marketing shows a Tesla Model S and a W221. Funny thing is I actually ordered it a week or two before I bought this car, because I had a feeling I'd end up with one.
I had the 5000 model for a while and gave it away few years back since would not work on my S500 and my other car was under warranty. Thinking about getting a new one since they come handy. I do have a shop that I go to when I need a lift to work on but I rather be at home instead. Decisions...decisions lol
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04 E55 AMG (totaled), 07 S550 4Matic, 14 E63S
I need to build a garage like yesterday so I can finally have a full, real shop. That's not happening overnight so the Quickjack gives me something. I leave them in the center of the garage with the hoses disconnected at the pump, and I also elevated them with some scrap PVC trim board so they don't sit in a puddle. The wife's car parks over them and that seems to work well. They are considerably heavier than the 5000 model and I wouldn't plan to hang them as shown in the original concept. As they got heavier and longer that part of the plan kind of fell apart, FWIW.
I was honestly leery of the Akebonos (as I am with all ceramic pads) but everyone seemed to love them so I am giving them a try. As with my E55, I never really had any dusting issues with the rear. I just want good pads.
I was honestly leery of the Akebonos (as I am with all ceramic pads) but everyone seemed to love them so I am giving them a try. As with my E55, I never really had any dusting issues with the rear. I just want good pads.
I need to build a garage like yesterday so I can finally have a full, real shop. That's not happening overnight so the Quickjack gives me something. I leave them in the center of the garage with the hoses disconnected at the pump, and I also elevated them with some scrap PVC trim board so they don't sit in a puddle. The wife's car parks over them and that seems to work well. They are considerably heavier than the 5000 model and I wouldn't plan to hang them as shown in the original concept. As they got heavier and longer that part of the plan kind of fell apart, FWIW.
I was honestly leery of the Akebonos (as I am with all ceramic pads) but everyone seemed to love them so I am giving them a try. As with my E55, I never really had any dusting issues with the rear. I just want good pads.
I was honestly leery of the Akebonos (as I am with all ceramic pads) but everyone seemed to love them so I am giving them a try. As with my E55, I never really had any dusting issues with the rear. I just want good pads.
As far as Akebonos go, I had them on few BMW's and Audi's prior to the Mercedes. IMO they do not compare with the oem's as far as stopping power goes. The oem's are superior. Where they shine is the less brake dust. Like you said, there is people on here that do not agree with my above statement and swear by them so to each it's own I guess. I have been contemplating on giving them another try jsut because of the dust benefit so will see...
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From: Atlanta GA
2012 E350 Cabriolet now SOLD to my son
i have the Akebonos ceramics on my A207 with AMg sport package. Came as a package with zinc- coated powerstop rotors and all clips springs etc.
Im ex SCCA so very particular on brakes. Initial Bite, ability to modulate and then release. All affect feel and how you interact with the brakes
To ME they stop with a firmer pedal and more initial bite. I did flush brakes well as part of the process though. YMMv :-)
Yes i know this is the W221 forum. My sister has a 2013 and when ready for the brakes, I'll have what I said above done.
Milburn
Im ex SCCA so very particular on brakes. Initial Bite, ability to modulate and then release. All affect feel and how you interact with the brakes
To ME they stop with a firmer pedal and more initial bite. I did flush brakes well as part of the process though. YMMv :-)
Yes i know this is the W221 forum. My sister has a 2013 and when ready for the brakes, I'll have what I said above done.
Milburn
Last edited by WRC-LVR; Jan 10, 2022 at 05:16 PM.
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04 E55 AMG (totaled), 07 S550 4Matic, 14 E63S
My 05 CTS-V came with Hawk HPS and I took it on The Dragon back in 2011. The car came with brand new OEM Brembo pads in a box (which I almost installed before the trip) but in 10 years I never wore out the brakes. Anyway, on The Dragon, once they got some heat in them, holy crap they were incredible - the whole car was, but I digress. I have used Hawk HPS on the front of several other vehicles since and they usually impressed me. Unfortunately they do not seem to be available for the S550. Some dust is OK. I admit the OEM pads have a comically high level of dust though it always cleans off easily. But I like good brakes and when I need to stop, I don't want to feel pad fade. When it comes time for front pads on the S550 (I checked them - they look pretty new so it should be a while), I have no idea what I'll run.
I believe my E55 has OEM front pads (judging by the dust) and I have to say, the brakes on that car don't impress me. So I guess the search is on for some good pads.
I believe my E55 has OEM front pads (judging by the dust) and I have to say, the brakes on that car don't impress me. So I guess the search is on for some good pads.
Last edited by kevm14; Jan 10, 2022 at 06:04 PM.
