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Does anyone have an aftermarket low dust Ceramic pad that they are happy with? I used to use Akebono on previous cars and they were great but they don’t make a front pad for the S550. I purchased the Brembo Ceramic pads and they are just as bad as OEM pads for Brake dust buildup. Anyone have any recommendations on what may be out there that is really low dust?
Does anyone have an aftermarket low dust Ceramic pad that they are happy with? I used to use Akebono on previous cars and they were great but they don’t make a front pad for the S550. I purchased the Brembo Ceramic pads and they are just as bad as OEM pads for Brake dust buildup. Anyone have any recommendations on what may be out there that is really low dust?
You can check buybrakes.com and also brakeperformance.com, I've used these both the get low dust pads that still have great stopping power. Definitely better then the heavy OEM dusters.
Well folks, I just spent a Saturday morn in my driveway with my music on and changed the pads to POWER STOP Z17 Evolution Clean Ride Ceramic. I have used these pads on all my cars over the years with no complaints. Front and rear, all for under $80 bucks and no more dust to worry about
Thanks for the websites. Has anyone tried the Hawk Ceramic Pads yet?
Yes, 3 months ago I changed out the pads in my S560 to Hawk CPs. So far I am pretty happy- no noise, but a slightly softer pedal and about an 80% reduction in dust. Not quite as zero dust as I hoped but after a few hundred miles of city driving they aren't charcoal anymore. I also swapped the front on my SL to Hawk (but not the rears as they apparently don't make them). In the SL, which is driven much more spiritedly, there is a substantial reduction and it's quite noticeable that the fronts are cleaner than the rears when it used to be the fronts looked dirty and the rear not nearly as much.
Softer pedal?
Weird, the last four MB I changed pads on (Akebono and Powerstop) had a much firmer feel.
I was thinking the pads were much harder. As long as the bulk of red dust in gone I would be happy though!
I ended up going with POWER STOP Z17 both front and rear with new OEM front rotors and I had the rear rotors turned as the had plenty of life left in them. The pad kits had all new hardware so I swapped that out as well. I also bled the brakes so I could change out all the old brake fluid. After 500 miles very pleased with the lack of brake dust and performance of the new pads. Haven't even had to clean the wheels as the brake dust buildup is negligible. Much, much better than the Brembo Ceramic pads I had prior. The initial bite of the pads is also good. I have used Akebono many times in the past and the bite was a drawback of their pads but these Power stop Z17 seem great in initial bite. Only complaint I would have is that they didn't come with new wear sensors. Other than that they have been great and I would definitely recommend them.
Jim, I agree, the Power Stops are great all around. Used them on many cars.The sensors are sold separately because most times, the existing ones are still usable.
Swapping out the front pads was a no brainer.
however
It looks like there may be a trick to the rear calipers.
How do you push the piston back in the caliper?
Swapping out the front pads was a no brainer.
however
It looks like there may be a trick to the rear calipers.
How do you push the piston back in the caliper?
You have to go into the Service Menu and select "Brake Pad replacement".
1 – open hood and suck out some brake fluid and leave cap loose
2- take tire off and loosen the caliper bolts- DO NOT REMOVE CALIPER YET now gently remove the sensor and then socket with an E12 Star socket STILL DO NOT REMOVE CALIPER HOUSING!
3 – get in car and close door, turn car on to release the EPBrake handle. Shut car off then MAKE SURE YOUR FOOT IS OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL!! press ignition to 1 position only, pull EPB handle again to be sure brake is off
While in ignition 1 position, make sure odometer/mileage is on screen, then hold down the Home/back arrow down for 5 seconds and then tap once the mouse/OK button to bring up the ‘Workshop Tools’ menu
4 – go to ‘brake pad replacement’ , OK, then you see ‘Move to fitting Position’, OK, you’ll hear the caliper noise momentarily with ‘Moving to Fitting Position’ on the screen, just wait for it to finish!
5 – you now will see ‘Fitting Position Reached’ . DO NOT PRESS OK ! Leave on the screen. Now go to remove the caliper housing. GENTLY take out pad with sensor out, then other pad and metal pad slider plates. GENTLY hang the caliper with hook.
6 – GENTLY press in the piston, then place the new slider plates, then plain pad 1st, then sensor pad in with sensor installed
7 – re-assemble caliper housing, the sensor plug and socket, wipe down the area
8 – QUICKLY GO BACK TO THE CAR AND CLOSE DOOR AND TAP THE ‘OK’ BUTTON TO exit the Fitting Position. You will now hear the piston sound again and WAIT for the ‘Exiting Fitting Position’ to finish.
You now will see ‘Fitting Position has been exited’ and you hit OK
9 – you can now exit the Brake Pad replacement tool and go back to TRIP on the screen
10 – NOW OPEN HOOD and close the fluid container. Turn car on and gently press brake pedal a few times and then check level in the reservoir. If all is well, then you’re done.
TO REPLACE ROTORS
You must do all of the above pad replac procedure
After rotor is removed, brush and clean hub, regrease the seat, place rotor on and re-screw with 10 Newton Meters
Does anyone have an aftermarket low dust Ceramic pad that they are happy with? I used to use Akebono on previous cars and they were great but they don’t make a front pad for the S550. I purchased the Brembo Ceramic pads and they are just as bad as OEM pads for Brake dust buildup. Anyone have any recommendations on what may be out there that is really low dust?
Originally Posted by vinnybenz
Well folks, I just spent a Saturday morn in my driveway with my music on and changed the pads to POWER STOP Z17 Evolution Clean Ride Ceramic. I have used these pads on all my cars over the years with no complaints. Front and rear, all for under $80 bucks and no more dust to worry about
thanks, was wondering was the price tag worth it for the brembo, and was also wondering if the z17 was okay, since the z23 are hard to find, plus i'm not a sports driver, just need regular commute stopping power.
can't wait to not have to clean my wheels everyday anymore
I did the power stop z23's on my car with the power stop rotors front and rear, all in all about 1000 dollars in parts. Very happy with the choice. Pedal is a little harder than stock but not too much. Car stops great. Wondering how long I'll get outta these over stock. Stock was about 40K miles hoping at least double that with these. No brake dust at all which is really nice.
Agree. I changed to Powerstop Evolution Sport Z23 Carbon Fiber Ceramic pads. Have been very happy with the lack of black dust, and the performance is fine. I am a conservative driver, and do not do many fast runs or quick stops, etc.
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