False Alert for Brake Pad Wear
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 202
From: Bay Area, California
2015 E63s AMG, 2020 GLC 43 AMG
False Alert for Brake Pad Wear
So I picked up my car today for waranty work and an adjustment on my alignment.
I paid $295 for front alignment that includes the distronic tuning, as they are integrated, about 4 weeks ago. I also put on new front tires at that time. Since getting it back, i noticed a clear drifting to the right that wasnt there previously.
Well it looks like they fixed the problem, But . . .
Now, awefuly coincidentally, I am getting a "check brake pad ware" alarm in dash.
Here is the thing though, the dealership I bought the car from 6 weeks ago just put in all new rotors and pads!
Anybody seen this issue?
My guess is that when working on the alignment, the knucklehead did something with the cable to one of the front wheel brake sensors. Like pinched it or something.
Hmmmmm?
I paid $295 for front alignment that includes the distronic tuning, as they are integrated, about 4 weeks ago. I also put on new front tires at that time. Since getting it back, i noticed a clear drifting to the right that wasnt there previously.
Well it looks like they fixed the problem, But . . .
Now, awefuly coincidentally, I am getting a "check brake pad ware" alarm in dash.
Here is the thing though, the dealership I bought the car from 6 weeks ago just put in all new rotors and pads!
Anybody seen this issue?
My guess is that when working on the alignment, the knucklehead did something with the cable to one of the front wheel brake sensors. Like pinched it or something.
Hmmmmm?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 920
Likes: 46
From: Worcestershire UK
W124 260E
Only thing i had on my car with the light showing up on the dash .Was after i installed a new set of pads and senders [sersors] in checking it out the disc had run close to the wire breaking through the outer insulation..Then it cut through the wire and hearthed it out to turn on your warning light for the brakes. Just an idea.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 202
From: Bay Area, California
2015 E63s AMG, 2020 GLC 43 AMG
This is my second attempt at replying to this question. For some reason my last reply never posted and I assure you there was no reason for it not to have.
Here is my previous answer again:
The distronic is directional and close-looped into the the steering. It is calibrated to the alignment. It needs to know the baseline for straight ahead. That is done when alignment is done. If for example your alignment is knocked off such that you are correcting by turning wheel to the left to keep it straight, your radar will be looking to the left instead of straight ahead.
That is how my SA explained it and it makes sense in my engineer mind. Now with that said:
The amount of error involved, assuming you are not WAY off on alignment, seems a bit overkill. It sounds a bit more like justifying $295 for alignment. But after everything MB has done for me from a goodwill standpoint I'm not complaining!
If you have distronic, you should remember this relationship if and when you ever need alignment.
Hope I answered your question.
Cheers
Here is my previous answer again:
The distronic is directional and close-looped into the the steering. It is calibrated to the alignment. It needs to know the baseline for straight ahead. That is done when alignment is done. If for example your alignment is knocked off such that you are correcting by turning wheel to the left to keep it straight, your radar will be looking to the left instead of straight ahead.
That is how my SA explained it and it makes sense in my engineer mind. Now with that said:
The amount of error involved, assuming you are not WAY off on alignment, seems a bit overkill. It sounds a bit more like justifying $295 for alignment. But after everything MB has done for me from a goodwill standpoint I'm not complaining!
If you have distronic, you should remember this relationship if and when you ever need alignment.
Hope I answered your question.
Cheers
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 202
From: Bay Area, California
2015 E63s AMG, 2020 GLC 43 AMG
Final Update
Took the beast to dealer this morning. They checked out the sensors while I waited. They did indeed find the little sensor cable on the right rear wheel had ben severed by the edge of the rotor.
They replaced it free of charge!
Then it got comicle. I was there in a hurry trying to make a 10:00 meeting. Got there at 8:00am. They told me it was fixed at 8:50am. Said they were pulling it around any minute.
The car had just been detailed last week and was spanking clean!
But Mr "I live my life by habit" mechanic then sent it through their carwash. Even though my SA told him up front not to.
So I wait, I wait, and wait some more. THEY LOST MY CAR and dude handling it couldnt be found! No, he didnt take it for a joy ride. Lol
Aparently he went on a smoke break and forgot about it!
My SA was insenced !! Lol
Long story short. I got the car back at 10:15am.
Took them longer to wash it than fix it? WTF?
Couldnt really complain though after all the goodwill gestures they have made for me!
They replaced it free of charge!
Then it got comicle. I was there in a hurry trying to make a 10:00 meeting. Got there at 8:00am. They told me it was fixed at 8:50am. Said they were pulling it around any minute.
The car had just been detailed last week and was spanking clean!
But Mr "I live my life by habit" mechanic then sent it through their carwash. Even though my SA told him up front not to.
So I wait, I wait, and wait some more. THEY LOST MY CAR and dude handling it couldnt be found! No, he didnt take it for a joy ride. Lol
Aparently he went on a smoke break and forgot about it!
My SA was insenced !! Lol
Long story short. I got the car back at 10:15am.
Took them longer to wash it than fix it? WTF?
Couldnt really complain though after all the goodwill gestures they have made for me!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 202
From: Bay Area, California
2015 E63s AMG, 2020 GLC 43 AMG
Located in Santa Clara/San Jose CA.
In fairness to them, they have been very good in everything else they have handled for me. I guess yesterday was just a Murphy's Law thing where I'm counting on the car by certain time (that I think was reasonable) to make a meeting at work, and that's the one time they blow it.
If that's the worst thing they ever do, I'll take it!
Cheers
