SL/R230: Brake pad replacement? + brake pad sensor?
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
03 SL500
I did the C350.
Couldn't have been easier.
Still old school like the old Japanese cars.
Will do the SL during the week.
Both cars take the exact same brake pad.
So, that is the second thing that I found that they have in common.
First was the oil filter.
Couldn't have been easier.
Still old school like the old Japanese cars.
Will do the SL during the week.
Both cars take the exact same brake pad.
So, that is the second thing that I found that they have in common.
First was the oil filter.
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
03 SL500
I didn't disconnect trunk battery or deactivate SBC.
Got the cross-drilled rotors turned down($20) at a machine shop and replaced the brake pads.
Went with cheapo pads - $40 from O'Reilly and $7 for sensor because I will have to replace rotors at next brake pad change.
Bedded in brake pads and it feels good and best of all no Christmas lights on dash.
FYI
You will need an 18mm socket/wrench and a T-30 spline to remove the caliper if you need to take off the rotor.
Got the cross-drilled rotors turned down($20) at a machine shop and replaced the brake pads.
Went with cheapo pads - $40 from O'Reilly and $7 for sensor because I will have to replace rotors at next brake pad change.
Bedded in brake pads and it feels good and best of all no Christmas lights on dash.
FYI
You will need an 18mm socket/wrench and a T-30 spline to remove the caliper if you need to take off the rotor.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 70
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Sl500R
I didn't disconnect trunk battery or deactivate SBC.
Got the cross-drilled rotors turned down($20) at a machine shop and replaced the brake pads.
Went with cheapo pads - $40 from O'Reilly and $7 for sensor because I will have to replace rotors at next brake pad change.
Bedded in brake pads and it feels good and best of all no Christmas lights on dash.
FYI
You will need an 18mm socket/wrench and a T-30 spline to remove the caliper if you need to take off the rotor.
Got the cross-drilled rotors turned down($20) at a machine shop and replaced the brake pads.
Went with cheapo pads - $40 from O'Reilly and $7 for sensor because I will have to replace rotors at next brake pad change.
Bedded in brake pads and it feels good and best of all no Christmas lights on dash.
FYI
You will need an 18mm socket/wrench and a T-30 spline to remove the caliper if you need to take off the rotor.
How did you change the sensors?
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
03 SL500
No it wasn't. My rotors had ridges.
There is a hole in the friction part of the pad that the sensor "pin" goes into and it slots in a groove on the metal piece.
I am counting the savings in not going to the $tealer.
2 x exactly the same brake jobs(C350 & SL500) - over $550 at dealer.
Cost me:
2 x brake pads $83
1 x sensor $7
2 x turn down rotors $20
1 x loctite $5.29
1 1/2 hour total labor time
There is a hole in the friction part of the pad that the sensor "pin" goes into and it slots in a groove on the metal piece.
I am counting the savings in not going to the $tealer.
2 x exactly the same brake jobs(C350 & SL500) - over $550 at dealer.
Cost me:
2 x brake pads $83
1 x sensor $7
2 x turn down rotors $20
1 x loctite $5.29
1 1/2 hour total labor time
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Sl500R
No it wasn't. My rotors had ridges.
There is a hole in the friction part of the pad that the sensor "pin" goes into and it slots in a groove on the metal piece.
I am counting the savings in not going to the $tealer.
2 x exactly the same brake jobs(C350 & SL500) - over $550 at dealer.
Cost me:
2 x brake pads $83
1 x sensor $7
2 x turn down rotors $20
1 x loctite $5.29
1 1/2 hour total labor time
There is a hole in the friction part of the pad that the sensor "pin" goes into and it slots in a groove on the metal piece.
I am counting the savings in not going to the $tealer.
2 x exactly the same brake jobs(C350 & SL500) - over $550 at dealer.
Cost me:
2 x brake pads $83
1 x sensor $7
2 x turn down rotors $20
1 x loctite $5.29
1 1/2 hour total labor time
What was the loctite for?
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 1
BMW F02 (750Li) F10 (550i)
The reason why you disconnect the battery is to prevent from turning the key on while the calipers are off. I always did my brakes with out disconnecting the battery by just putting the keys away in case some friend comes around and decided to turn the radio on . basically you can not turn the key on while you have the calipers apart !!!!
Last edited by m4xm1l10n; Feb 11, 2009 at 11:00 AM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
03 SL500
Loctite was for threads on the 2 x 18mm caliper bolts and the torx bolt that holds rotor onto the hub.
I had the alarm go off because I didn't turn off the anti-tow function(button below ABC switch), but this didn't cause any problems.
What could potentially happen if you turn on the ignition with the caliper off?
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Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
I'm no expert, so don't take this as expert advice.
Rook
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,746
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BMW F02 (750Li) F10 (550i)
When you turn the key to position 2 (just before starting the car), the ABC and the brake system pumps prime and pressurize the system a little to test it before you set off. Pressurizing a caliper without it being attached could cause some potential problems.
I'm no expert, so don't take this as expert advice.
Rook
I'm no expert, so don't take this as expert advice.
Rook
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
2010 G55
When I push my brakes harder than average they make ugly squeeking noise.
So, I thought its time to change the brake pads.
I called the stealership and they told me $20 for diagnosis and 109.50$ for change/axle + brake pad price = so i guess something around $250 per axle.
But they also said, if brake pads are bad I should get a warning message via sensors on the display but I dont have such message on the screen as of now.
I dont want to risk my rotors. Is there a way to check myself without de-assembling the wheels if my brake pads are fine or not?
So, I thought its time to change the brake pads.
I called the stealership and they told me $20 for diagnosis and 109.50$ for change/axle + brake pad price = so i guess something around $250 per axle.
But they also said, if brake pads are bad I should get a warning message via sensors on the display but I dont have such message on the screen as of now.
I dont want to risk my rotors. Is there a way to check myself without de-assembling the wheels if my brake pads are fine or not?
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
03 SL500
Depending on the wheel that you have, you can use a flash light and take a peek at the thickness of the outer brake pad friction material.
Also look at the rotors.
Are they glazed, have ridges, high spots or an outer lip.
Dealerships normally will forgo the diagnosis fee if you have the work performed at the same time. If rotors are replaced it does not come out to $250 and you can bet that they going to want to do rotors.
If you looking to spend the $20 wisely and at the same time get brake pads checked, print out the $19.99 coupon from NTB/Tire Kingdom and take it for the wheel balance/rotate/alignment check.
For $20 you get wheels balanced, tire pressure checked, pads and rotors checked, wheels rotated and your alignment checked(I leave this out).
Also look at the rotors.
Are they glazed, have ridges, high spots or an outer lip.
Dealerships normally will forgo the diagnosis fee if you have the work performed at the same time. If rotors are replaced it does not come out to $250 and you can bet that they going to want to do rotors.
If you looking to spend the $20 wisely and at the same time get brake pads checked, print out the $19.99 coupon from NTB/Tire Kingdom and take it for the wheel balance/rotate/alignment check.
For $20 you get wheels balanced, tire pressure checked, pads and rotors checked, wheels rotated and your alignment checked(I leave this out).
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
Personally, I wouldn't trust one of those brake job places with the SL. Sure, they're fine for old Tauruses and Silverados but when it comes to brakes on luxury cars, I think they just see a "fat wallet" and pretty much make up stuff to get more money from you. Especially the old standby, "These rotors can't be turned... we'll have to buy new ones for you (at a 140% markup)."
Rook
