EBC pads wonderful. But
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EBC pads wonderful. But
I had EBC pads installed all around. My god. Its been over the week of driving and not a hit of brake dust. Before I had to wipe wheels every day or they would look black.
BUT, now I notice a bit of a shimmy in front at high speeds. Not sure if its related to new pads or not. I assume I can get new rotors when it gets worse.
I know that EBC pads beat up the rotor more, but, could it be just coincidental?
Rotors looks fine, no grooves or anything. They cant be shaved because they are drilled right?
Many thanks.
BUT, now I notice a bit of a shimmy in front at high speeds. Not sure if its related to new pads or not. I assume I can get new rotors when it gets worse.
I know that EBC pads beat up the rotor more, but, could it be just coincidental?
Rotors looks fine, no grooves or anything. They cant be shaved because they are drilled right?
Many thanks.
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 532
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From: Atlanta GA
2012 E350 Cabriolet now SOLD to my son
Good choice of pads. Were these the reds or greens or yellows or blues?
it is not the rotors, it is uneven pad transfer to the rotors. It shakes a little due to the uneven layer at different spots on the rotor. Driving at freeway speed with little trafic and not using the brakes will even it out.
All EBC pads are supposed to be properly bedded in after installing. Did you do this? Those also come with an abrasive layer to help clean old pad deposits off the rotor during the bed in process.
It is easy to re-bed the pads, which will help. EBC has instructions on their website.
it is not the rotors, it is uneven pad transfer to the rotors. It shakes a little due to the uneven layer at different spots on the rotor. Driving at freeway speed with little trafic and not using the brakes will even it out.
All EBC pads are supposed to be properly bedded in after installing. Did you do this? Those also come with an abrasive layer to help clean old pad deposits off the rotor during the bed in process.
It is easy to re-bed the pads, which will help. EBC has instructions on their website.
Last edited by WRC-LVR; Feb 12, 2022 at 07:37 AM.
Thread Starter
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I dint think I would have to get new rotors every time I change pads.
The steering wheel does not shake. Its not like a really bad rotor. More like a noise with a bit of vibes up front, but the steering wheel is solid.
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Joined: Jan 2018
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From: Atlanta GA
2012 E350 Cabriolet now SOLD to my son
Re bed the pads is quick reply.
Several stops at about 80 % braking from 45 mph to 15 mph back to back 5 times then drive slowly without braking ( very gentle braking only) , Park and let the brakes cool down completely. The process will give an even transfer layer.
Replacing the rotors (unless truly badly warped say .010 " out of lateral true ) will make your dealer happy and your wallet skinny :-)
Try the re bed procedure and see if that gets better for you :-)
Several stops at about 80 % braking from 45 mph to 15 mph back to back 5 times then drive slowly without braking ( very gentle braking only) , Park and let the brakes cool down completely. The process will give an even transfer layer.
Replacing the rotors (unless truly badly warped say .010 " out of lateral true ) will make your dealer happy and your wallet skinny :-)
Try the re bed procedure and see if that gets better for you :-)
Last edited by WRC-LVR; Feb 12, 2022 at 07:53 AM.
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Thank You. Will attempt this today.
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Looks like I will be needing the front rotors after all.
Do I need to get new pads again? New EBC pads have 100-200 miles on them.
Also, could it EBC pads ruin my rotors? $120 each rotor or so from MBonline.
It been so great not to clean the wheels every two days.
Do I need to get new pads again? New EBC pads have 100-200 miles on them.
Also, could it EBC pads ruin my rotors? $120 each rotor or so from MBonline.
It been so great not to clean the wheels every two days.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
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Good choice of pads. Were these the reds or greens or yellows or blues?
it is not the rotors, it is uneven pad transfer to the rotors. It shakes a little due to the uneven layer at different spots on the rotor. Driving at freeway speed with little trafic and not using the brakes will even it out.
All EBC pads are supposed to be properly bedded in after installing. Did you do this? Those also come with an abrasive layer to help clean old pad deposits off the rotor during the bed in process.
It is easy to re-bed the pads, which will help. EBC has instructions on their website.
it is not the rotors, it is uneven pad transfer to the rotors. It shakes a little due to the uneven layer at different spots on the rotor. Driving at freeway speed with little trafic and not using the brakes will even it out.
All EBC pads are supposed to be properly bedded in after installing. Did you do this? Those also come with an abrasive layer to help clean old pad deposits off the rotor during the bed in process.
It is easy to re-bed the pads, which will help. EBC has instructions on their website.
I will give it a few more weeks of driving and see what happens.
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 532
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From: Atlanta GA
2012 E350 Cabriolet now SOLD to my son
As Senecat says you can try the Akebono pads. Pad transfer may be better for your car with those. I would remove the rotors and clean them off with an abrasive disc or take them to a local shop that can do slotted or drilled rotor re-surfacing. Then install the Akebono pads
Currently I m using PowerStop Z23 pads and zinc coated cross-drilled rotors front and rear and haven't seen any issues at all with them for 18 months on my e350 A207 cabriolet.
Currently I m using PowerStop Z23 pads and zinc coated cross-drilled rotors front and rear and haven't seen any issues at all with them for 18 months on my e350 A207 cabriolet.
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As Senecat says you can try the Akebono pads. Pad transfer may be better for your car with those. I would remove the rotors and clean them off with an abrasive disc or take them to a local shop that can do slotted or drilled rotor re-surfacing. Then install the Akebono pads
Currently I m using PowerStop Z23 pads and zinc coated cross-drilled rotors front and rear and haven't seen any issues at all with them for 18 months on my e350 A207 cabriolet.
Currently I m using PowerStop Z23 pads and zinc coated cross-drilled rotors front and rear and haven't seen any issues at all with them for 18 months on my e350 A207 cabriolet.
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Depends on the weather
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Any reason why akenobo over ebc?
Its just another $450. New rotors from MB, pads and labor. Funny, my shop asked me if I plan to use new rotors up front, I said no, old ones are fine. He said OK then.
Since when do new pads need new rotors. Im gonna assume this was just a coincidence. Or I just didnt break in the pads well from the start.
My previous cars never needed that. Heck my w126 didnt need that last year, EBC pads too.
Last edited by tbilisi79; Feb 15, 2022 at 03:58 PM.
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Depends on the weather
Just personal preference. EBC is good too. I have been using Akebono on several different cars with the same performance and no brake dust so I just stick with them. 
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From: Scottsdale AZ
2015 SL550 & 2012 S550 4matic
Others may differ and disagree with KISS, my go to when making decisions to stray from pure OEM. Using Akebono pads on MB rides for 25 years to solve brake dust issues. Would take a lot of evidence for me to switch. Here’s to clean wheels and great brakes.
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From: Atlanta GA
2012 E350 Cabriolet now SOLD to my son
What is disturbing is many " brake shops" and even MB will do a runout of the rotor and say they need to be replaced. Sometimes even doing this on the car which is not as accurate. In reality the runout may be .004" ( or just out od specs for the car) and is completely due to uneven pad transfer. Treat the pad transfer and the issue goes away. As an ex SCCA guy, it is routine to re-bed the pads after sessions to fix this. We even used to roll the car slightly after each session to avoid transferring very hot pad deposits in the pits
There are shops out there that have the equipment to skim drilled rotors given that they are still well within thickness spec.. Much less expensive than even one rotor.
Just saying and YMMV
y
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From: Scottsdale AZ
2015 SL550 & 2012 S550 4matic
MB and brakes are a different world. I learned this as a newbie, W123 300d 1980 owner. 2nd oil change at 10k miles they ground the rotors, unauthorized. “Standard maintenance procedure “ according to recommendations.
Welcome to stealerships, I said to myself.
Been using DIY and forum gurus Indy guys since.
Akebono, trusted.
Welcome to stealerships, I said to myself.
Been using DIY and forum gurus Indy guys since.
Akebono, trusted.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 532
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From: Atlanta GA
2012 E350 Cabriolet now SOLD to my son
Agreed akebono are great pads. Im just advocating to re-bed pads before spending $$ for new rotors.
BTW i do use Akebono, I have some coming in for my 2020 Toyota highlander with 8K on it as we speak. Swapping out as the factory pads glaze easily and then dont stop well.
I'm a car guy that has worked on cars since the mid '1960s. just sharing my experience with disc brakes , pads and pad transfer and what high level teams do in the SCCA.
Peace and stay safe :-)
BTW i do use Akebono, I have some coming in for my 2020 Toyota highlander with 8K on it as we speak. Swapping out as the factory pads glaze easily and then dont stop well.
I'm a car guy that has worked on cars since the mid '1960s. just sharing my experience with disc brakes , pads and pad transfer and what high level teams do in the SCCA.
Peace and stay safe :-)
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 406
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Agreed akebono are great pads. Im just advocating to re-bed pads before spending $$ for new rotors.
BTW i do use Akebono, I have some coming in for my 2020 Toyota highlander with 8K on it as we speak. Swapping out as the factory pads glaze easily and then dont stop well.
I'm a car guy that has worked on cars since the mid '1960s. just sharing my experience with disc brakes , pads and pad transfer and what high level teams do in the SCCA.
Peace and stay safe :-)
BTW i do use Akebono, I have some coming in for my 2020 Toyota highlander with 8K on it as we speak. Swapping out as the factory pads glaze easily and then dont stop well.
I'm a car guy that has worked on cars since the mid '1960s. just sharing my experience with disc brakes , pads and pad transfer and what high level teams do in the SCCA.
Peace and stay safe :-)
