E350 Front brakes need replacing at 4k

[eric66]

Had new front disks and pads last June at 64k miles. Got a juddering on braking and my MB independent has just told me they need replacing again at a cost of £400+ - mileage is now 68k. They have spoken with MB who say the parts are not covered under warranty as this is limited to 1k - wtf ? Much appreciated if anyone has any experience of this issue or advise to impart.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

The discs can warp if the hub face isn't cleaned/polished to a very high standard before fitting. You should see at least 2 to 3 sets of pads per disc tbh .

You might consider having them skimmed . If they are running out . Also have your calipers checked/serviced incase they are binding a tiny bit.

 

[eric66]

an update on this - I had the car into MB main dealer in December for a recall & they did a visual inspection - I've just checked and the front pads were put down as 10mm - mileage was 66k - so the new pads/disks were fitted at 64k, still showing at 10mm at 66k and now caput at 68k - something not right here - any ideas appreciated.

 

[ChrisEdu]

How many

an update on this - I had the car into MB main dealer in Decemeber where they did a visual inspection - I've just checked and the front pads were put down as 10mm - mileage was 66k - so the new pads/disks were fitted at 64k, still showing at 10mm at 66k and now caput at 68k - something not right here - any ideas appreciated.

Sounds like there might be the stench of cattle yard effluent in the air.

 

[fabes]

Binding caliper has to be the prime suspect....

How's the fuel consumption and acceleration been, as they would be secondary evidence of that?

Else you got unlucky with a poor batch/item (which can happen, but still...)

Or indeed, someone is telling you porkies about a new set at 64k

 

[eric66]

thanks - at first I was thinking perhaps they didn't actually fit new pads at 64k - but a seperate MB garage said they were at 10mm 2k miles later so they obviously did.

 

[eric66]

thanks for the reply - yes, fuel consumption has dropped since I had the MB emmissions "upgrade" - I thought that was the reason - haven't noticed acceleration but then again i don't drive round like Lewis Hamilton tbh, mainly local urban driving at low speed. So aif there was a problem with this blinding caliper wouldn't they see that on a service ? it had one 2 weeks ago.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Go for a 30 min drive and try not to press the brakes . Pull over ,and spit on each brake disc . If it absolutely stinks and boils the spit instantly then that's the problem side . Use a spray bottle if you wish .

 

[Bellow]

Had new front disks and pads last June at 64k miles. Got a juddering on braking and my MB independent has just told me they need replacing again at a cost of

Need replacing because of juddering - not wear. By the sounds.

, mainly local urban driving at low speed.

Lots of foot-on-brake-pedal (or automatic brake application) when stationary?

 

[whitenemesis]

Try a few high speed hard stops (70mph to 10mph, don't come to a complete stop and don't then hold the brakes on), this should clear any pad deposits on the disc, cleaning things up.

 

[eric66]

Need replacing because of juddering - not wear. By the sounds.


Lots of foot-on-brake-pedal (or automatic brake application) when stationary?

the thing is - new pads & disks at 64k, a different garage measured them still at 10mm at 66k miles and now at 68k miles they need replacing - my driving style hasn’t changed

 

[markjay]

the thing is - new pads & disks at 64k, a different garage measured them still at 10mm at 66k miles and now at 68k miles they need replacing - my driving style hasn’t changed

Need replacing for what reason, did they say?

Are the discs near or below the minimum? If so what thickness did they measure?

Are the pads worn? Did you get the pads warning light on the dash? If so, how thick are the pads now?

Or is the brake judder back?

And, did you get a second opinion from another garage?

 

[PRSboy]

I replaced the front discs and pads on another car and it quickly developed a judder. Who knows I may have not fitted them right but I was clinical about the cleanliness of the mating surfaces. Anyhow, tried re-doing the bedding in procedure and it made no difference. I ended up buying new discs and the problem was solved. Maybe just a faulty disc. Annoyingly, the discs that the supplying dealer put on my CLS have also developed a slight judder.

Wear on the discs necessitating replacement will be obvious to see, as will pad depth.

I'd be astonished if you've worn them that fast given your driving. A seized calliper should be obvious as the affected wheel will be noticeably hot to touch after a drive.

Either throw the dice on some new discs and pads, or get the existing ones checked for run-out and take it from there.

I'd be very happy to use some Brembo or even Pagid discs from someone like carparts4less on one of their regular sales (odds are there will be a 20% off this bank holiday!) rather than the MB ones and get a garage to fit them... will save £££

 

[W1ghty]

I replaced the front discs and pads on another car and it quickly developed a judder. Who knows I may have not fitted them right but I was clinical about the cleanliness of the mating surfaces. Anyhow, tried re-doing the bedding in procedure and it made no difference. I ended up buying new discs and the problem was solved. Maybe just a faulty disc. Annoyingly, the discs that the supplying dealer put on my CLS have also developed a slight judder.

Wear on the discs necessitating replacement will be obvious to see, as will pad depth.

I'd be astonished if you've worn them that fast given your driving. A seized calliper should be obvious as the affected wheel will be noticeably hot to touch after a drive.

Either throw the dice on some new discs and pads, or get the existing ones checked for run-out and take it from there.

I'd be very happy to use some Brembo or even Pagid discs from someone like carparts4less on one of their regular sales (odds are there will be a 20% off this bank holiday!) rather than the MB ones and get a garage to fit them... will save £££

Have a look at Autodoc , it’s 8 days delivery but you can’t normally get parts cheaper . Leave stuff in the basket for the 40/41% discounts

 

[eric66]

Thanks for all of the replies.

A final update. It seems my MB independent put the car on the MOT brake tester & apparently that told them the discs needed replacing - so it's not about wear on the pads.
I followed this advice

Try a few high speed hard stops (70mph to 10mph, don't come to a complete stop and don't then hold the brakes on), this should clear any pad deposits on the disc, cleaning things up.

Unless I am imagining it, this reduced the judder which wasn't massive to start with.

I then got a 2nd opinion at a different MOT garage. the one that usually does my MOT. They put the car on the brake tester while I watched & could find nothing wrong with the brakes. They told me it would sail throught the MOT. I relayed this to my Indy who say they've had their equipment callibrated recently. If I were them I would have been more concerned and asked if I could bring it back in to re-test it while I watched but they haven't so far, so who knows. Anyhow I'll opt for the cheaper option of not replacing the brakes. Thanks again everyone.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Thanks for all of the replies.

A final update. It seems my MB independent put the car on the MOT brake tester & apparently that told them the discs needed replacing - so it's not about wear on the pads.
I followed this advice



Unless I am imagining it, this reduced the judder which wasn't massive to start with.

I then got a 2nd opinion at a different MOT garage. the one that usually does my MOT. They put the car on the brake tester while I watched & could find nothing wrong with the brakes. They told me it would sail throught the MOT. I relayed this to my Indy who say they've had their equipment callibrated recently. If I were them I would have been more concerned and asked if I could bring it back in to re-test it while I watched but they haven't so far, so who knows. Anyhow I'll opt for the cheaper option of not replacing the brakes. Thanks again everyone.

Most judders get worse as the discs get heated up , if it were tested when cold it probably won't of done it. Same goes for any mot brake tester

Have you tried it from braking getting the discs and calipers hot .

Judders seldom just go away.