Brake Pad Change - Help ?

[David J]

Hi car went for its MOT today '05 C180K . Failed on front brake imbalance. The tester said 99% of the time a change to new pads fixes imbalance. Anyhow , I bought new pads tonight just before the motor factors closed and hope to change the pads tomorrow and get back for a retest.
MY main concern is that the last time I changed front brake pads on ANY car was on my 1981 Ford Capri 25 yrs ago so Im a bit rusty and a bit nervous in undertaking this.
Can someone point me to a How to pref with pictures that I can study tonight and prepare for tomorrow ?

Many thanks . . .

 

[Stratman]

This should help

 

[AMGeed]

If your 05 C Class is a W203 model, the following link has plenty of "how to" photos.

How to change brakes - Mercedes Benz front brakes replacement. C class brakes 203 series.

Edit; beaten to it. Stratmans link is better.

 

[David J]

Thanks guys looks straight forward enough - so just to recap . . . all I really need to do is use a hammer and punch to tap out the pins , remove the retaing clip and slip in the new pads ? Seems too easy - no bolts to undo and no clips on the pins ?

 

[Stratman]

You also need to push the piston(s) back to make room for the thicker pads, being careful not to make the fluid overflow from the master cylinder reservoir, and if necessary renew the pad wear sensors.

 

[AMGeed]

Thanks guys looks straight forward enough - so just to recap . . . all I really need to do is use a hammer and punch to tap out the pins , remove the retaing clip and slip in the new pads ? Seems too easy - no bolts to undo and no clips on the pins ?

You will have to remove the calliper each side to allow the piston to be pressed in to accept a thicker brake pad.

Edit-; sigh..........only 2 minutes late this time lol.

 

[David J]

Thanks a million guuys - doesnt seem as daunting as I first thought - not much different from the old skool days .

 

[Scott_F]

You will have to remove the calliper each side to allow the piston to be pressed in to accept a thicker brake pad.

Edit-; sigh..........only 2 minutes late this time lol.

I usually use a piece of wood (not metal) to gently push the piston inwards without having to remove the caliper.

 

[David J]

I usually use a piece of wood (not metal) to gently push the piston inwards without having to remove the caliper.

In the olden days I used to use a pry-bar and just lever the piston back in very slowly.

 

[Auto-mobile]

Be aware that this model suffer seized calipers.

 

[David J]

Be aware that this model suffer seized calipers.

OH No ! now im ging to have that in my mind all night now :-(

 

[E55 in waiting]

the other thing is that the chances of getting out the pins is small, be prepared to replace them after cutting them out. Are you also replacing the brake wear indicator?

 

[David J]

Wasnt planning on replacing the pins nor the wear indicators - money is extremely tight to say the least . otherwise Id just have told the garage that performed the MOT to fix it for me. I hope Im lucky and it all goes straight forward tomorrow and sorts the imbalance issue .

 

[Merc Owner 2B]

Be aware that this model suffer seized calipers.

This is a good point since you've already mentioned an imbalance in braking efficiency so be prepared to take the calipers off and clean them up if need be. Make sure you have plenty of time as I really wouldn't do it unless you have access to spare pins and sensors should you need them my friend. i.e not on Sunday afternoon when everywhere is shut.

 

[David J]

JUst and update and a thanks to all who responded. My mate fitted new pads for me ( £27 from Euro Parts ) , used the original pins and sensor without any difficulty. Car passed the MOT restest this morning . The original imbalance on the front brakes was measured at 35% - after fitting the new pads its now 11% - I was told the cut off point between pass and fail is 25% so amazing how much difference a set of pads can make. Thanks again .

 

[gavatron06]

JUst and update and a thanks to all who responded. My mate fitted new pads for me ( £27 from Euro Parts ) , used the original pins and sensor without any difficulty. Car passed the MOT restest this morning . The original imbalance on the front brakes was measured at 35% - after fitting the new pads its now 11% - I was told the cut off point between pass and fail is 25% so amazing how much difference a set of pads can make. Thanks again .

Apart from the MOT readings did you notice the imbalance when braking? My E220 is pulling to the right under heavy braking at say 60MPH. Pads are 50% approx just wondering if I have a bigger problem?

 

[carat 3.6]

Apart from the MOT readings did you notice the imbalance when braking? My E220 is pulling to the right under heavy braking at say 60MPH. Pads are 50% approx just wondering if I have a bigger problem?

Welcome to the forum, have you checked if the caliper is seized?

 

[AMG Steve]

One little tip......

If the pins dont move the 1st time you tap them, use molegrips on the pin length and turn a few times, this will release the pins grip, they should now just tap out

Steve