Front pad change W209

[pos.k]

Hi Guys,
Planning to change my front pads on my W209.
I thought I would take the wheel off to see how the pads are... eventually got the wheel off - it was seized solid. (I gently lowered the car with the bolts out until the seal broke) The pins that hold the pads are rock solid, and corroded all round where they meet the caliper, and look like they will be 'tricky' to remove.

What I want to know is what you guys think about putting, say WD40 onto them. I am very wary about introducing lubricant into the brake area

or is there a special tool that will move them even if corroded? I don't want to get into the job and get stuck.

Thanks for your help.

 

[BaldGuy]

This happened to my 209 CLK500 at PCS they heated it gently with a torch in the end and the pins eventually came out... its VERY easy to damage your calipers with repeated banging with punches on the pins.... so be careful..

 

[pos.k]

Thanks,

That's why I decided to have a look before planning to do it, when the wheel wouldn't budge I new I would be in for something special. I will probably try a little WD40 - maybe with a pipette or cotton bud rather than spraying direct from the can - less cleaning up to do. Either way, I do not really feel comfortable getting a blowtorch down there

 

[azaman]

I tap the pins out with a flattened, thick nail and a small hammer. No damage to the pin and it comes out cleanly.

 

[Merc Owner 2B]

Bare in mind that brake fluid is extremely flammable so don't use flame unless you really know what you are doing (most of us DON'T!).

A good soak of WD40 should do the trick. Don't worry about the pads, they'll need changing anyway, as a minimum. Everything will clean up afterwards with an aerosol brake cleaner.

 

[BlackC55]

Use a good penertrating fluid like WD and use some heat if really stuck. It is a common problem this one.

 

[pos.k]

Wow - tried this today.
What a pita.
Pins are rock solid. used WD40, and a hole punch ground down to suit the hole size. I think the pins are moving at the outside, because they are bending!!!
I managed to get the spring clip out, and tried to get the some grips on the pins to turn them to free them up a bit, but no joy

I have cleaned it all up with brake cleaner, and put the clip in and the wheel back on.
I will try again tomorrow (going to get new pins now!) and use some heat.

Where should I apply the heat?
I thought I would take off the little bracket that holds the sensor connector from the rear of the caliper, and gently heat the middle of the pin where it crosses the disc - hopefully less chance of damaging the caliper or the piston boot?