W211 Brake Pad Replacement

[powerman]

I've read here and elsewhere about the dangers of changing pads on W211 fitted with SBC. I can't decide whether to be careful and try. Has anybody out there actually done this without computer-disabling the SBC.
Can you slide in a blocking piece to prevent the piston from coming out in the period between removing the old pad and fitting the new?

For the record, mine is March 03 and has done 48,000 on its original pads. It's just been in for service and I was told it needed new discs and pads. They are wearing at the same rate and as such brake discs are becoming a service consumable part! I can't believe it needs new discs - there's a small ridge but the brakes are fine at the moment so what changes when you fit new pads - just thicker pads once they've worn to the disc profile surely?

 

[saorbust]

I'm aware that people have done it - you can prevent the SBC from working by following a series of particular key moves / pedals etc. I have no links but I believe its been referenced on here before. Personally I'd stay well away from it - not worth the risk.

I'm at 46,000 miles (54 plate) and I have not had the 50% worn indicator on yet. I was told at the last service I should see north of 60,000 miles before new pads. I didn't ask about the discs. However I do a LOT of motorway miles, so its hard to tell.

 

[marcos]

I'm just under 60k and I've got through 3 sets of pads and 2 sets of discs. Maybe I should slow down earlier

Here's a link on what to do

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=91542&highlight=w211+brakes

 

[Satch]

This may be of help. Opinion differs about the need to use STAR, the complex rituals described or just pulling the plug!


http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=20676&highlight=w211

 

[powerman]

Brake Pad Replacement

Thanks for the info. I've done loads of brake discs before on 'normal' cars, usually a doddle. Just got a bit nervous when I found out about the SBC but I reckon I'll have a go and report back.

 

[MichaelE211]

W211 Brake Pads

Well, how did you get on, any problems as I have to do change mine now, can't wait any longer.

Thanks for the info. I've done loads of brake discs before on 'normal' cars, usually a doddle. Just got a bit nervous when I found out about the SBC but I reckon I'll have a go and report back.

 

[powerman]

W211 Brakes - Job done

In the end, it proved to be quite a simple job, no more difficult than changing pads on any other car. The SBC unit on my car is located on the off side at the front as you open the bonnet i.e. just behind the offside headlamp. It's clearly labelled SBC (embossed in the casting). I disconnected the plug - you have to pull upwards the sort of handle on the top of the plug and it disconnects automatically. I also decided to cut the cable tie on the harness just back from the plug. This allowed the plug to be pulled well clear of the socket - I didn't want inadvertent reconnection during the job. After that it was as simple as changing pads on any other car. I syringed some fluid from the reservoir before I started because I was concerned that it might overflow as I pushed the pistons back into the calipers (to allow for the thickness of the new pads). I didn't change the discs on this occasion but it wouldn't have taken much longer since I loosened the calipers anyway and pluuled them away from the discs to allow better cleaning. It took no more than an hour and a half all told including jacking up and getting tools out and tidying up afterwards. The worst job was getting the wheels off in the first place. They arelocated onto a tapered spigot and where the alloy wheel was in contact with the steel hub, electroytic corrosion had occured and bonded the two together. I had to knock the tyre hard with a mallet to break the bond. I put a very thin smear of copper grease on as I re-assembled (introducing a third metal !! - didn't think about that at the time) hoping that it aids removal next time.
Good luck with your job - can't see you'll have any problems. If you need photos etc of the SBC and harness for example, let me know.

 

[Dunx]

The only thing I would do differently would be to clamp the flexible hydraulic pipes using brake hose clamps and release surplus fluid via the bleed nipple when the piston is pushed back into the caliper. This reduces the risk of introducing any contaminents back into the hydraulic system and of course, overflowing the resevior.

 

[MichaelE211]

Brake Pads

Well a bit of a story really, car was over the service interval by 2000m so had to get it serviced quickly, booked it in to Basingstoke for a B service with 37000m clocked.

They completed the standard service, + fitted new pads both front and rear, fitted new brake discs to the rear, changed the complete brake fluid throughout.

Also fitted new plastic jacking point on near side front due to the original being knocked off over a speed bump, conducted three recall points and fitted a suspenion joint on nearside under warranty.

Total bill £1050.00, this was after being told by their reception when booking car in approx cost would be £700.00, (excluding new disc's & brake fliud) so after some to-ing and throwing we ended up with £800.00

Car was ready when stated and cleaned inside and out, so generally thumbs-up for TP in Basingstoke, although I'm still pissed off with the general service cost of MB and in paricular the W211.

BMW are offering fixed price servicing across the range i.e. £525 for 5 years servicing on the 1 series? £1200 for the 7? make you think?

 

[Fady]

Old thread, but rather than beginning a new one - car is telling me I need a brake service. Rather than letting a dealer spank my butt, I'm just going to order a full set of front and rear discs/pads and take them to my local fast fit place (advising them of the necessary safety procedures).

Car is on 32K miles, and from what I can gather reading around, it's most likely to be a case of new pads all round and rear discs. However, if I get everything done in one fell swoop, I then don't have to bother for another couple of years.

I seen the recent W203 and SLK brake threads where Euro Car Parts and GSF have been suggested for parts. There doesn't appear to be a lot in the way of W211 stuff showing, so unless anyone knows better, as I want OE quality I'll have to order from a dealer. I've been to mercedes-benz-parts.co.uk to get an idea of prices. The only things I'm not sure of is which sensor is showing on the page (I think this comes supplied with the front pads, so maybe it's a rear?), and do I need to get some disc bolts and rear caliper bolts to be on the safe side, and if so how many of each?

Thanks in advance for any help.