Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-12-2007, 06:21 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Honolulu HI
Posts: 7
"Brake Lining Wear" message lights up on dash??

Hello all, I am a new owner of a 1999 turbo diesel and the brake lining wear message just started to appear. I assume this means I need new brake pads?
Is there a way to tell if it applys to rear brakes or fronts? any recomendations on which pads to buy? thanks for all info. randy

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-12-2007, 07:06 PM
pjc pjc is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Arlington VA
Posts: 278
You're right, it probably means you need new pads, and unless your car has separate warning lights for front and rear, the only way to tell which it is is to pull a wheel and inspect. (Depending on which style wheel you have, you may be able to peek through the holes with a flashlight and see the brake pad without removing the wheel.) Be sure to check the condition of your rotors, too.

For replacement pads, you have basically three choices:
- Asbestos (old school): softest, which means shortest lifespan but least wear on rotors; tend to generate a lot of brake dust, making alloy wheels dirty; least expensive.
- Semi-metallic: most common; mid-price; harder than asbestos, so longer lifespan but also more wear on rotors; better stopping power; throw off lest dust than asbestos but red-hot metal particles can pit alloy wheels.
- Ceramic: latest technology; better performance; less dust and pitting; highest price.

Akebono brand brakes (ceramic; and an American company) are top-notch, if you can find them. I haven't used them on a Benz, but I put them on my wife's VW Cabrio and they work great.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-12-2007, 07:13 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,263
My '96 only has front sensors. Mine have only a few thousand miles left until the light triggers, and I plan to get OEM pads.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-12-2007, 07:13 PM
pjc pjc is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Arlington VA
Posts: 278
See also this thread:
Difference in Brake Pads?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-12-2007, 07:22 PM
Sportlines
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Johnson City, TN
Posts: 985
pjc is incorrect is this statement, "For replacement pads, you have basically three choices:
- Asbestos (old school): softest, which means shortest lifespan but least wear on rotors; tend to generate a lot of brake dust, making alloy wheels dirty; least expensive."

Asbestos has been banned for years. So don't react negatively to this. Also, you have to think about whether "old school" means anything. In other words, there must be a reason that Mercedes Benz elects to use a softer brake pad versus a semi-metallic brake pad. I think that reason has to do with what you want the brakes to do in an emergency stop. You want them to stop the car quickly even if the brake pads are cold. Mercedes brake systems are designed for 150 mph autobahns. They are way more than adequate for our road conditions. If semi-metallic pads were so wonderful, they would use them.

The use of the term "better stopping power" in the description of sem-metallic pads is also suspect. It is no doubt true in conditions like racing, or braking down a long mountain road, but this may not be the most important type of stopping you need to do.

So I would say, why second guess the factory? Use one of their brand pads, or use Yellow box Textars or Pagid. There are many many posts on this forum and others about brake pads.

Steve
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-12-2007, 08:54 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
Zero
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Milford, CT
Posts: 19,318
You can buy cheap W210 break stuff from the dealer, its about the same price as what you pay online and you don't have to order it.

I beleive your car has sensors on the front and rear wheels, inspect the brakes and see what you need to do. Or take it to a shop and have them do it.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:21 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page