ML270 brake pads & discs

[gary9565]

My car, 2004 Mercedes ML270 cdi 65354 miles

Had M.O.T December 2013 at council run M.O.T centre (i.e.: no incentive to find something wrong they do not do repairs etc)

Advisory on M.O.T said rear brake pads getting low.

This week took car to Kwik Fitt centre for free brake check.
Since the December 2013 M.O.T i have only done 3000 miles in 6 months.
Kwik Fit said need new pads and disks on front.
New pads on rear and rear disks near minimum.

So in just 3000 miles over 6 months I have gone from a rear brake pad advisory to needing just about all pads and disks doing is this possible?

On their report sheet it says the following,

front disk thickness 28.4mm near side & 28.9mm off side
front pads 5.28mm near side & 5.15mm off side

rear disk thickness 12.7mm nearside & 12.82mm offside
rear pads 1.91mm nearside & 1.87mm offside


I do not want to spend out a large lump sum at the moment (would cost about £600 to have everything done) but planning to do about 3000 miles on a trip to France in the next month.
Would I be ok leaving the disks and pads repair until i return to UK ?
Gary

 

[paulshep69]

Personally, I'd take it elsewhere to have it checked out before you spend £600 sorting it out, some reputable garage maybe - not another Kwik-fit.

I'm not sure how mechanically minded you are, as to whether you may attempt to replace the discs and pads yourself if you need to. I managed to get a full set of discs and pads for my C63 for £648 from MB so I'm sure you could get a genuine set for an ML270 from MB at a reasonable price.

Just checked on ebay and found these:

Mercedes ML270 Cdi W163 99-05 Front Rear Brake Discs &Pads Small Kit Read Detail | eBay

If you're thinking of traveling 3000 miles it may be peace of mind to change them anyway.

 

[rorf]

Those back pads are beyond worn down - and you are prepared to take your family on a 3000 mile trip with brakes like that

Good brakes (and tyres) are critical to a safe vehicle.

Maybe catch the traino

 

[Jane270ML]

If you're not mechanically minded, find a local indy to do the work.

 

[rf065]

No point in Kwik Fit quoting the disc thickness, you need to know what the minimum disc thickness is from MB before you decide if the discs need renewed or not. Certainly, rear pads need changed at the very least and I would do the fronts too before going to France.

Russ

 

[Auto-mobile]

Kwik fit = take what they say with a pinch of salt

They rip people of left right and centre.

 

[gary9565]

Have just had brakes/discs/pads looked at by Mercedes Dealership Garage and they said BRAKES WORN 90% LIPPED
Gary

 

[rf065]

Have just had brakes/discs/pads looked at by Mercedes Dealership Garage and they said BRAKES WORN 90% LIPPED
Gary

Again, without knowing the minimum thickness allowed, they could tell you anything.

Russ

 

[gary9565]

Minimum thickness Front Disk Brakes 30.00mm
Minimum thickness Rear Disk Brakes 12.3mm

 

[paulshep69]

Minimum thickness Front Disk Brakes 30.00mm
Minimum thickness Rear Disk Brakes 12.3mm

If you believe the measurements from Kwik-fit, or you've had them checked elsewhere, then yours are below the minimum so ought to be replaced.

As someone else pointed out in a post, you shouldn't really gamble with brakes or tyres - especially when you're planning to use your vehicle on a 3000 mile trip.

Ignore their advice at your peril, is what I'd say.

 

[gary9565]

Summing up , had kwik fit say they need replacing going by their thickness measurements and Mercedes dealership garage say they need replacing saying , BRAKES WORN 90% LIPPED , so ill have to assume both can't be wrong or lying.

Also without taking wheels off and measuring myself I can feel lip on brake disks and just by going what I can feel must be at least 2mm/3mm lip which is more than the tolerance between thickness at new and minimum thickness , I assume disk brakes when new are smooth even flat piece of metal no rim?
Gary

 

[paulshep69]

Summing up , had kwik fit say they need replacing going by their thickness measurements and Mercedes dealership garage say they need replacing saying , BRAKES WORN 90% LIPPED , so ill have to assume both can't be wrong or lying. Also without taking wheels off and measuring myself I can feel lip on brake disks and just by going what I can feel must be at least 2mm/3mm lip which is more than the tolerance between thickness at new and minimum thickness , I assume disk brakes when new are smooth even flat piece of metal no rim? Gary

Your assumption is correct, discs come as flat pieces of metal, with no lip.

With a 2-3mm lip as you mention, it's sounding more and more like the discs really are worn beyond their serviceable level, therefore should be replaced (with pads) ASAP.

 

[gary9565]

Thank you everyone for your replies and advice, having discs and pads all replaced next week.
Gary.