csdifani

Rotor Availability.. but no pads yet.

I just ordered a set of rotors from Disc-Italia thru Brakeworld.com. They took my VIN, confirmed the brake set that I have with MBUSA, and then had the rotors sent to their warehouse where they measured them before shipping to me (California). I pulled one of my front rotors, and measured it as well. Fortunately for me, the Disc-Italia rotors are exactly the same dimension as my cross drilled, wavy, badly ridged, wavy 7800 mile wavy incredibly dusty (did I mention that they're wavy?) OEM rotors (okay, so it's the pads that are "dusty").

On discussing this "pads and rotors" issue with the John the salesman (866-272-5396, Greenville, SC), he was aware of the scarcity of aftermarket brake parts, and was not aware of any "correct" pad availability. There are some vendors that are selling 2013 SL550 rotors and pads, but they're for the R230 chassis... no matter what they say.

I don't have the rotors yet (next Wednesday if FedEx does their job), and up until I read the note on Porterfield, I was planning on having them reline my pads.

But that's a non-starter now... so I shall continue looking for decent pads, and drive my ridged, wavy dusty wavy front OEM rotors and dusty pads.

Chris

And that's my story.....

RacingBrake

Received pads (front and rear) from MB dealer.

The front pad has a bevel on the top (instead on both sides like traditional), so we need to verify how the pad would match with the rotor after the pad is worn down, and figure out the purpose of such bevel.

Still waiting for "California John" to respond to our request for a schedule to bring his car to our shop.

RacingBrake

Need someone in LA or Orange County owns SL550 w/sport package to help with measurement on brake rotors and brake pads check.

Thank you.

p.s. California John just told me that he can't move his car to our shop.

Centexhokie

Somebody, anybody, please go let them measure. The dust isn't going away with the OEM pads.

csdifani

Guys:

I'm in northern CA, and working with the SoCal RB guys via phone, and email. I just received my new Disc-Italia rotors, and will be measuring them, plus pulling one front brake assembly for the RB guys, to measure, photograph, etc.

We may not be fast, but it shall be done!

... besides, I need new pads for my new rotors...

Chris Difani

Centexhokie

Great. Thanks my rims will appreciate you.

RacingBrake

Thanks to Chris for his help. Here is the front pad which we are trying to figure out how the top bevel (Chamfer) part line up with the brake rotor.

RacingBrake

Anyone owns SL550 live in SoCal that can help with this project???

California John

It might help with this project if you said what it is you mean exactly when you say "can help with this project." I had no idea when I saw it originally that it meant that you want someone to bring their SL550 to your shop (you don't say where it is) and that you would need 4-5 hours with it. More information would help.

RacingBrake

Can you take a look and see how the pad is aligned with the rotor. (#1 or #2)

Centexhokie

Did you ever get an answer? If not, let me know and I'll remove a wheel and look.

RMAZ

Yes its the one on the left.

Randy

Centexhokie

Thanks

RacingBrake

Upon close examination, I have found out that there is a very similar brake pad to the OE that I think will work with the following deviation:

1. This pad (the top one of pictures) will have no wear sensor connection.

2. This pad has no bevel on top therefore it will line up nicely on the top of rotor but the lining will be about 13mm short at the bottom as compared to OE with 10-12mm untouched on top of rotor due to the bevel.

Advantage:

1. This alternate pad may line up better with the OE caliper piston based on the piston impression with the OE pads (towards top, see last picture.

2. It's for a popular motorsports applications (Sti/EVO comes with Brembo calipers), a lot of choice available and is much cheaper (less than 1/2) of dealer costs for the OE pads.

3. We have low dust excellent street pads (ET500) in stock.
http://www.racingbrake.com/Brake-Pad...1001-35-01.htm








This picture was contributed by Randy showing the piston impression on OE pads:



Any member who can't wait and is eager to try fit/dusting/performance improvement etc can PM me for a special offer but he/she must agree to post the result here ASAP but no later than one week upon receipt of order.

Final fitment and performance improvement is still under our complete satisfaction or money back guarantee.

peterwu1234

Try akebono eur ceramic pads. I have changed to akebono eur pads and zimmermann rotors on both of my porsche(boxster and cayenne) and they work just fine. The best thing is "NO MORE DUST" to clean, but I am just a everyday street driver, I don't track my cars. I have not put them on my sl550 yet, but will when I need to change my brake pads. Pls let me know if you decided to go with the akebono and how is it feel on the sl550?

RMAZ

Akebono does not make a r231 SL application yet. No aftermarket company has released a pad yet for thr r231. Some say they have it but they are for the 2012 not 2013 -up models.

Centexhokie

Any progress on the Racing Brake pads?

RMAZ

Not sure where RB is at on this. I had contacted a Benz dealer near them to get a loaner car for testing but I do not know if it came through. I will email them now and see whats up.

Randy

RacingBrake

Temporary quick fix is to use D1001 as suggested in previous reply*. OE shape pads although being tooled but they will not be available at least in 6-8 weeks leadtime.

As to the BBK development I have tried to contact the MB dealer (referred by Randy) to loan an SL550 for measurement but no luck so far.

There got be someone in SoCal who own an SL550 that can spare his car in helping the community.......

*By the way Chris tried the alternative pad, but found out his car is a non-sports model so it wouldn't fit.

Centexhokie

Thank you for the update. In my case while the dust drives me nuts, I know that the lack of a sensor with a warning light on the dash would drive me nuts as well so I can't imagine going with such a solution. Hopefully, the OE pads will be ready in the 6-8 months you predict. When that is available I am a buyer.

RMAZ

RB is making an oe replacement low dust pad in 6-8 WEEKS, not months. We are still trying to get a test fit car so if anyone here is in the LA / Orange county area contact Racing Brakes.

RacingBrake

I have been curious as to how the top bevel of the pad works against the rotor surface.

Would you mind taking a picture and post it here so I can see the wearing pattern.

Our pad will be made without the top bevel, but will come with wear sensor connector.

Centexhokie

Thanks I read weeks and for some reason wrote months.

I don't know if this helps, but here is a picture of my front rotor



and here is a picture of my rear rotor.

RacingBrake

Are you sure this is the same set up we are talking about. From the pictures I have questions below:

1. It seems the rotor already has substantial wear on it.

2. Is this for front rotor, if so can you take a measurement of the pad swiping width so I can check against the OE pad I posted. As with what Randy confirmed - the pad top edge lines up with the rotor edge, therefore the top part of rotor should not be contacted, but it's not what your pictures show.

Centexhokie

This is the 2013 SL550 with the optional sport wheel package which includes 19" wheels, sport brakes, and a sport steering wheel. The car has <4,000 miles on it and the rotors have marks, but no real wear to speak of.

The pads contact the rotor from top to bottom. The contact is right at 3". If you need a more precise measurement I will get calipers to measure it more precisely, but it is over the whole width of the rotor.