SL55 AMG, SL63 AMG, SL65 AMG (R230) 2002 - 2011 (2003 US for SL55 and 2004 for the SL65)

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Deep Cleaning Front Brake Calipers - Help

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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 05:04 PM
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Deep Cleaning Front Brake Calipers - Help

Hi guys! Just a quick question. I'm planning to do a deep cleaning of my front brake calipers - as in the back side! Every square inch of the car is concours Qtip clean except the back side of the calipers. I don't want to unbolt them from the chassis to do this. I just want to be able to turn the steering wheel full lock in both directions during the cleaning to get good access to the backsides with the car on jackstands. This is my first active suspension car and I know I need to have ignition on to turn the steering wheel right? I will unplug the SBC pump as a precaution. How will this effective the ABC system? Will it freak out? Do I need to disable the ABC to do this project? Thanks!
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 06:46 PM
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Raise the car and remove the wheels, should be plenty of room and no need to do anything with any of the systems. You can turn the wheel with the car off, it will just be hard.
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 09:03 PM
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Porsche guy who drives SL63 w/ perf pkg AND perf suspension

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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 09:05 PM
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No excuses. Clean your brakes the right way. If you keep the whole car clean then dont omit the hard parts.
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by ItalianJoe1
Raise the car and remove the wheels, should be plenty of room and no need to do anything with any of the systems. You can turn the wheel with the car off, it will just be hard.

Thanks, I know with the SBC pump, it goes to sleep as long as the doors are not opened or ignition on. Doesn't the steering wheel have lock and can only be unlocked by turning key to #1 position? (I have keyless go) Turning key to #1 position I think wakes up all electronics like SBC and ABC.
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 10:17 PM
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Originally Posted by okbarnett

Yes! My car is Q-tip clean except behind the "ears" There is 11 years of 1st owner neglect gunk behind the rotors and calipers. I'm glad I'm not the only **** guy when it comes to cleanliness. I daily drive my SL so I have to be extra vigilant. BTW switching to AKEBONO ceramic pads has made cleaning wheels less tedious.
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 10:20 PM
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Originally Posted by okbarnett
No excuses. Clean your brakes the right way. If you keep the whole car clean then dont omit the hard parts.

I meant I didn't want to unbolt the calipers not the wheels off the chassis. I don't want to deal with bleeding the system etc. If I had the time and another car to drive to work, I would disconnect the calipers, sand blast them and powder coat a new finish and call it a day.
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 11:53 PM
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Originally Posted by m5zealot
Thanks, I know with the SBC pump, it goes to sleep as long as the doors are not opened or ignition on. Doesn't the steering wheel have lock and can only be unlocked by turning key to #1 position? (I have keyless go) Turning key to #1 position I think wakes up all electronics like SBC and ABC.
No steering lock, these cars have a shift lock tied into the Drive Authorization, so that's what they use. You say you aren't gonna remove the calipers, so SBC isn't an issue.
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Old Jun 15, 2018 | 10:47 AM
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Wow, that looks great! Pride of ownership in how you keep the vehicle clean! I thought I was meticulous! I have some work to do this weekend.
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