Hi All,

I have had my 05 SL55 for about 3 months now. It has 16k on it. I have noticed that when am parked or barely moving (actually manouevering to park)I turn my steering wheel from right to left and vice versa I hear and feel a sort of clunking sound from the front. Not 100% of the time but most times. I suppose I should find some time to take it in to Mercedes for a look, but wondering if anyone else experienced this before.
Also when braking from high speed many times the brakes make quite a grinding noise for a few moments before stopping. I have noticed small hairline cracks eminating from the drill holes on the disc brakes, although I have been told by the MB dealer that this is normal for the SL 55 and not a cause for concern. It's just the grinding noise can be slightly disconcerting. Pads have been checked out and appear not to been worn excessively. Any suggestions anyone?
Many thanks
Alex

Welcome! The steering noise needs to be checked ASAP. You wouldn't want a failure while you are driving.

The cracks on the rotors are from hard use. My car has spent some time on the track and I got them, but the OEM rotors are so cheap, you can just replace them. Whether that is the source of your grinding is debatable. Perhaps there is some foreign material wedged under one of the pads.

If you are planning a fair amount of hard driving, it would be worth switching to a Brembo GT system. I did mine and the difference was unbelievable.

I heard a popping on my car as well. Had it at the dealer and they couldnt find anything. Mine was at low speeds turing into or out of a parking spot and you would here a pop pop pop noise. Let me knwo if they find anything on your car. My brakes seem to make noise but not a grinding.

How do the stock 65 brakes do against the brembos you are speaking of?

I have that same clunking/popping sound when I turn either right or left, out of park. My brakes have the same grinding noise as well at slow speeds coming to a stop. I also see hairline cracks on the rotors, so I just ordered the Evosport floating lightweight rotors. Also ordered new pagid pads and brake lines. The Brembo GT system is amazing, but it's really expensive.

How much is the Brembo system? Does it include rotors, pads, etc,?

Do these changes mean that cracks and noise should stop? Also at what cost.?
Thanks everyone so far for tips.
Alex

The brakes should perform better substantially. From the other 55 amg members of the forum that have already changed to the evosport rotors, they say its fantastic. It saves about 34lbs over stock rotors. Stops in a shorter distance and less fade. The pads and brakelines are also better than stock.

2000 for the rotors...the other stuff depends on the brands you choose from.

Brembo GT front big brake set is over 4500. The rears are about 3000.

Actually if you hear a "grinding" sound while you are stopped and immobile or immediately after you turn off the engine and remove your foot off the brake pedal, it is the sound of the SL55's electric brake pump!

The sound may be annoying and disconcerting but it is normal. The electric brakes idea was innovative and meant to save some weight but however due to seeming reliability and performance feel issues, M-B has already obsoleted the Sensotronic electric brakes on their newer models!