Better stopping
SL/R230: 2005 SL Brake Squeaking
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
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From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
Though others with the Akebonos say that they have better braking with the aftermarket pads, without actual evidence I would guess that the OEM ones actually end up stopping the car quicker. Almost all German vehicles are known for using brake pads that dust and sometimes squeak because they are the best pads to use for high-speed braking and end up stopping the car quicker. Other brake pads may give a better pedal feel, but that doesn't necessarily translate into better stopping distances.
Rook
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
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From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
Though others with the Akebonos say that they have better braking with the aftermarket pads, without actual evidence I would guess that the OEM ones actually end up stopping the car quicker. Almost all German vehicles are known for using brake pads that dust and sometimes squeak because they are the best pads to use for high-speed braking and end up stopping the car quicker. Other brake pads may give a better pedal feel, but that doesn't necessarily translate into better stopping distances.
Michael
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
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From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
I feel another physics exercise coming up.... but given that it is almost impossible to not lock the brakes on this 2-metric-ton monster when coming to a hard stop, unless the aftermarket pads are slick enough that they never activate the ABS, what is being gained by having stickier pads?
Michael
Michael
Rook
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
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From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
Gotcha! So, basically, this could be an issue in, say, driving the Alps, not so much in, say, the basins of Arizona or the stop-and-go of Los Angeles.
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Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
The real brain bender is that the tires have more to do with stopping distances than the pads, excluding heat-soak.
Rook
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 10
I would try to "Bed" the pads to the rotors, make 5 or 6 stops from 60 MPH to 10 MPH without stoping while braking as hard as you can without engaging the anti lock, the idea is to get the brakes rather hot in order to transfer a coating of pad material to the rotors, the most important thing in this procedure is to not come to a stop, just brake to 10 MPH or so and then speed up to 60 and do it again, if you brake to a stop you can "imprint" the rotors, once you do this just drive around for 15 mins or so to cool the brakes down, do not worry that they are getting too hot, you want them to get as hot as you can. I think that you will find that the brakes will work great and the squeal will go away.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
sl 55 amg, Toyota 4 Runner
"I would try to "Bed" the pads to the rotors, make 5 or 6 stops from 60 MPH to 10 MPH without stoping while braking as hard as you can without engaging the anti lock, the idea is to get the brakes rather hot in order to transfer a coating of pad material to the rotors, the most important thing in this procedure is to not come to a stop, just brake to 10 MPH or so and then speed up to 60 and do it again, if you brake to a stop you can "imprint" the rotors, once you do this just drive around for 15 mins or so to cool the brakes down, do not worry that they are getting too hot, you want them to get as hot as you can. I think that you will find that the brakes will work great and the squeal will go away."
Thanks mikefili for your advise. The squeaking noise on my brakes is gone...it was driving me nutty (In about 1 minute or so, I made 6 slow downs ranging from 40-50 mph to 10-20 mph). Saved me a lot of money because I was thinking of changing the brakes, which are relatively new, with Akebono. Thanks again.
Thanks mikefili for your advise. The squeaking noise on my brakes is gone...it was driving me nutty (In about 1 minute or so, I made 6 slow downs ranging from 40-50 mph to 10-20 mph). Saved me a lot of money because I was thinking of changing the brakes, which are relatively new, with Akebono. Thanks again.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: Upper Marlboro, MD
2006 SL500/2006 Porsche Cayenne S Titanium
If the squeal comes back, bite the bullet and change your front and rear pads to Akebono's. I did and I don't have to wipe the wheels clean every other day. There is ZERO squealing and it stops just fine. The critics are just that, I've talked to my Benz mechanic and he is impressed with the Akebono's and feels that the benefits outweigh the so called issues.
