I agree with AdvisorGuy. Replace the pads. They may be like brand new. But if the seals leaked brake fluid all over them. Some fluid absorbed into the pads. It took a lot to get to that point.

I hadn't realized you changed pads and calipers at different times, because the calipers leaked after you changed the pads.

I thought that you got fluid on them when you changed them out.

Good luck...

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92 300D 2.5L OM602 OBK #59

Your pads are easily removed. When I get something on my pads I use a quick bath in laquer thinner to clean them. It probably is not recommended but has worked well for me countless times. It just seems to float any contamination out of the pads and the thinner dries out really quickly.
I guess the real concern here is if you are seeing contaminate burn off or have a defect that is causing somewhat more than normal brake drag. If you had changed the rotors as well they have a protective anti rust coating on them for example and should be cleaned off just prior to installation. You did not install new rotors so that is out.
I would wash the pads and drive the car after dark a few miles and look for a glowing rotor or any sign of redness. Actually if the hub is hot and you have not used the brakes to stop after a few miles or just used the emergency brake to stop you have dragging brakes.
My guess at that point would be a problem in your new master cylinder or somehow the new calipers are too tight. Since the calipers are new the pads should easily back off with a screwdriver is another test. The main thing is not to drive with overheating rotors and chance ruining them as well.

I wouldn't consider pads that are contaminated with brake fluid to be "like" brand new or even close to it. It's penny-wise and pound-foolish to keep those contaminated pads on there.

So it sounds like i need to get new pads because they got contaminated with brake fluid. just what could result from the fluid on the pads? Warped Rotors? premature pad wear? is it really hurting the car to have these pads on them?

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http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...titled-1-3.jpg
1981 300d

They smoke!

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92 300D 2.5L OM602 OBK #59

From your description it is not absolute that it is the pads yet. Drive the car a few miles. Stop using the emergency brake or letting the car coast to a stop and compare the front hub temperatures. They should be about ambient temperature not really even warm or hot. Especially with brand new calipers.
A normal rotor turning has a slight runout that drives the pads back off the rotor if the calipers slide normally. .There is a small amount of give in the front wheel bearings that tend to aid this effect usually as well. If you have smoke at the end of the drive after stopping by not using the front brakes at all there is probably real trouble of some sort. Actually too easy a test to find any reason to avoid doing it.

Like Hatterasguy suggested, smell the smoke. I'm pretty sure overheated pads will smell different from overheated brake fluid. You could put a drop of fluid in an old spoon, heat it up with a flame, and smell it. I would change out the pads with new, un-oiled ones, and see what happens. If the pads you have on there now are found to be good, just keep them for next time. Steve

Use a non-contact thermometer and get a reading for all four wheels after driving and braking. That should provide enough basic information to go forward with a diagnosis. If we don't know if the brakes are hotter than normal, there's no way to know if it's the pads or something else.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Sounds like its brake fluid burning but another possible thing maybe is the emergency brake dragging. Just a thought.

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Currently driving a very clean 1985 300SD from the West Coast.

if your leaking brake fluid onto the rotors, your fluid level is going to decrease, easy to check.

what does the smoke smell like? are you sure its not steam? mine steam all the time whenever i stop after going through a puddle or something.

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1991 300 D 2.5 Turbo, 220k
also in the family:
1981 240 D 185k
1991 350 SD 185k
2006 S 500
2005 SLK 350

I just had my brake pads and calipers changed x2 for 98 durango it didn't start having problems until the winter when i had to put my truck in 4 wheel drive, my brakes 1st thing in the moring are fine but if i hit on the brakes to much the get really i mean really hard and they start to smoke I can barley go to work which is down the street please help me!!!!!!!!!!!!