CLS500 requiring new disks and pads, best way forward?

[Silver CL55]

MB in Hamilton have just told me the light judder under heavy breaking is my front disks and pads needing changed.
So assuming this is correct (I'll get it checked by my indi first), should I just change like for like or take the chance to upgrade?
The brakes are not great compared to the CL55 AMG I has before.

Things I'm unsure about are;
1. Imbalance of front rear braking if I upgrade front only
2. MB or aftermarket disks
3. MB or aftermarked pads

Any advice lads?, please be aware I'm a 50 year old bloke so don't want a "Max Power" vehicle but am not adverse to light mods.

Thanks, Colin.

 

[andy27168]

Hi,
Personnally I would buy Gen OEM Discs with aftermarket Pads (front) if you are replacing the rear as well go for OEM discs and pads.
I did this with my C43, Gen. MB discs with EBC Red Stuff pads (front), standard rear.

 

[lordlee]

Euro Car Parts. Buy the Pagid discs and pads - standard fitment and a good set up. EBC redstuff are good and at £63 or so represent good value in my opinion. These will not affect brake balance in anyway. The bonus with Redstuff is that they dont produce alot of brakedust.

 

[jaymanek]

MB discs and Pagid Pads from Euro Car Parts.

 

[franey]

Or Platinum discs from me with pads and sensors, fantastic quality, and you know that the parts in the box are indeed by the name on the box.
£150 delivered

 

[BlackC55]

I would steer away from the EBC pads for MB. They just dont fit properly.

 

[EuroCarParts]

I guess its a CLS500 ?

If so, we list the Pagid Pads or if you fancy something a bit different, what about the LOW DUST Textar E-PADS?

Description: Pagid Brake Pads (Front)
Part No.: 101220738
Web Price: £51.00
Forum Price: £38.25
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/M...c55361d8b9bd4eacfcc990a781a05149108a18&000036

Description: Textar E-Pad Brake Pads (Front)
Part No.: 10122073E
Web Price: £78.46
Forum Price: £58.85
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Mercedes-Benz_CLS_5.0_2005/p/////?10122073E&0&


for the discs,

Description: Pagid Brake Disc (Front)
Part No.: 104220908
Web Price: £62.40ea
Forum Price: £46.80ea
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/M...f8e7fcaf322d8ae3b14ac53950347151cacb25&000027

Description: Pagid Brake Sensor (front right)
Part No.: 106220058
Web Price: £5.76
Forum Price: £4.32
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/M...d3df50ac3e129a105cc236a06878b3b70b2902&000369

Description: Pagid Brake Sensor (front left)
Part No.: 106220168
Web Price: £5.52
Forum Price: £4.14
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/M...e74cedb2fce63dfeefe21fee588ab78b1d5d7d&000369

Forum Price for a Pagid set-up is £140.31 (£160.91 if you go for Textar pads)

 

[chezwez123]

You can do the pads yourself fairly easily with a few basic tools, the brands arent a big deal if you arent looking for high performance brakes, to replace the pads there are simply 2 bolts at the back of the calliper on the top and bottom holding the calliper on, remove one, swing the calliper up, remove the pads, grease the top and bottom metal parts of the new pads and replace everything to the way it was... If you cant fit the calliper back on it is because the piston hasnt gone back as it should, so dont be scared to take a pair of mole grips and force it back enough to get the calliper back on. You will need a socket set (usually a 14mm for the bolts) a jack, a hammer and a good pair of hands.. should only take 30 mins each side. Always replace both sides at the same time.

-Edit Just noticed your discs need replaced too, therefore the same rule pretty much but you should be able to work out yourself where the bolts holding the calliper on are, and once removed your disc should come free and it is simply a matter of sliding the new ones on. no less than £25/disc is recommended.

Also having the front done and not the rear is fine, due to inertia most of the braking is done by the front brakes anyways hence why it is usually discs front, drums rear as discs are more efficient.

As for the quality of pads spend no less than 30 for the pads and you wont go wrong.

-C

 

[EuroCarParts]

I would steer away from the EBC pads for MB. They just dont fit properly.

Olly,

I remember you had some trouble with EBC pads before - did you see about the new Textar range - They are designed to develop less dust (like the EBC greens) but since TMD are an OE supplier to Merc, i would expect their fitments to be spot on

 

[richard]

Dont forget that pushing the pistons back in can cause the master cylinder reservoir to overflow (assuming its been filled whilst the pads were worn down)

R

 

[chezwez123]

Dont forget that pushing the pistons back in can cause the master cylinder reservoir to overflow (assuming its been filled whilst the pads were worn down)

R

Yes do not add any brake fluid until after you push the piston back, also before driving be sure to pump your brake as the first few pumps have no brake efficiency, they are just to push the new pads into place... scary when you forget to and you cant brake! mistake you only make once...

 

[BlackC55]

Olly,

I remember you had some trouble with EBC pads before - did you see about the new Textar range - They are designed to develop less dust (like the EBC greens) but since TMD are an OE supplier to Merc, i would expect their fitments to be spot on

Yes I have.

I will be doing a forum update on them soon. I need a set to test first. I may get a set for the ML just to see what the fitment is like etc.

 

[grober]

You can do the pads yourself fairly easily with a few basic tools, the brands arent a big deal if you arent looking for high performance brakes, to replace the pads there are simply 2 bolts at the back of the calliper on the top and bottom holding the calliper on, remove one, swing the calliper up, remove the pads, grease the top and bottom metal parts of the new pads and replace everything to the way it was... If you cant fit the calliper back on it is because the piston hasnt gone back as it should, so dont be scared to take a pair of mole grips and force it back enough to get the calliper back on. You will need a socket set (usually a 14mm for the bolts) a jack, a hammer and a good pair of hands.. should only take 30 mins each side. Always replace both sides at the same time.

-Edit Just noticed your discs need replaced too, therefore the same rule pretty much but you should be able to work out yourself where the bolts holding the calliper on are, and once removed your disc should come free and it is simply a matter of sliding the new ones on. no less than £25/disc is recommended.

Also having the front done and not the rear is fine, due to inertia most of the braking is done by the front brakes anyways hence why it is usually discs front, drums rear as discs are more efficient.

As for the quality of pads spend no less than 30 for the pads and you wont go wrong.

-C

While all in favour of DIY to help owners defray costs novices should not attempt pad/disc changes without prior experience or a knowledgeable buddy assisting/looking over their shoulder for the first time . As you say the operations involved are relatively simple but since brakes are a safety critical area I would caution the inexperienced against attempting this. And even if you have the necessary experience don't forget to wear a protective face mask!

 

[EuroCarParts]

Can't agree with Grober more - Only only have 1 set of eyes, and you only habe 1 method of stopping your car (other than the 'into a tree method)

Stay safe, but be wise

 

[richard]

And remember that on a SL, W211 E (CLS aswell I think if it has SBS) and some others the brakes can prime themselves (and cut your fingers off) even with the ignition OFF

On those vehicles, officially you turn this function OFF with Star Diagnosis before going near the brakes. There are work-arounds to this, but if you weren't aware of this then i'd be avoiding changing pads/disks yourself.

Richard

 

[Silver CL55]

Thanks for all the messages lads, to be clear I will not be fittiing anything

I'm just thinking of what products to buy.
Favourites seem to be oe, redstuff and pagid.

I've heard no great reason to move away from OE so far.

Would AMG disks fit straight on?
Would any bigger disks fit straight on?
If I did fit bigger disks would I need to change the calipers?

Colin

 

[EuroCarParts]

I'm just thinking of what products to buy.
Favourites seem to be oe, redstuff and pagid.

I've heard no great reason to move away from OE so far.

Would AMG disks fit straight on?
Would any bigger disks fit straight on?
If I did fit bigger disks would I need to change the calipers?

Colin

Now your entering a whole different ball game!

Some of the techies will be able to advise what is requirEd to fit bigger brakes, but don't expect a bolt on job!