i've done this on other cars but..
can i just replace the pads in front without removing the brake rotor?
i just wanted to get a quick job done before i take off for vegas and san diego...

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1985 300SD
1998 Jetta TDI
Previous: lots of diesel VW's, MB's, KW's, Pete, Freightliner


Walking isn't a lost art: one must, by some means, get to the garage.

No need to remove rotor to replace pads only.

Mercedes provides rotor replacement specifications that take into account whether the rotor will last the life of a new set of pads.

That is, there are two thickness numbers provided: minimun thickness and thickness at which rotor should be replaced anyway if replacing pads.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

Yes you can just replace the pads, take less than 10min per side. It is recomended to replace the rotors if worn less than spec.

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

thanks, guys.
i haven't even jacked it up yet.. to see if i can get the caliper off easy.
i guess i'll measure the rotors next time i get under there.
kent, what part of abq you live in?

__________________
1985 300SD
1998 Jetta TDI
Previous: lots of diesel VW's, MB's, KW's, Pete, Freightliner


Walking isn't a lost art: one must, by some means, get to the garage.

You don't need to remove the caliper, just knock out the 2 pins, remove clip, push the pistons back and pull out the pads.

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

As these guys said, brake pads are pretty easy, no need to replace or remove rotors. Of course, when I went to do the brake pads on my 123, I discovered that three out of four pistons on the front calipers were seized, so I ended up replacing them and the rotors, and hoses, and packing the wheel bearings. Hopefully your car has a better history than mine, in which case changing the brake pads is as complicated as taking the wheel off.

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

Simply pull the retaining pins out and pry one brake pad away from the rotor with a big screwdriver until it is flush with the caliper and then drop the new pad in place. Then do the other side of the same caliper in the same manner.
DO NOT remove one side and then pry on the other side without having one pad in place or you can pop the piston out. Replace the pins and do the other front caliper.

DO NOT forget to pump your pedal several times after you have replaced your pads or your brakes won't work

It takes a half an hour to replace the front pads.

__________________
You can get farther with a smile and a gun than you can with just a smile.

1984 300D
1985 300CD
1980 300SD
1993 SL500

You may want to have a punch and hammer on hand to get the pins out ... mine were no way going to come out with a light push from my finger. Tap 'em out gently with a punch. If you can't push the pistons back, open the bleeder on the back of the caliper (with a hose attached to it going into a container, as not to make a mess).

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

Be sure to measure them before changing out the pads.
The minimum thickness on the rotors I have state 20mm.




.

__________________
1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

1. Flush the brakes if you are doing pads. Chances are you need to do this away as brake fluid is the most neglected fluid next to coolant. DOT4

2. Inspect hoses, if cracked replace. They are very inexpensive and a breeze to install.

3. Front W126 rotors are a pain to R&R. Rear are a breeze, no excuse for having worn rotors out back.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Remember you may be dealing with asbestos powder...
so use a brake cleaner to wet and clean off the area before dealing with it...
and use a good mask in addition to that...
outside with a fan blowing downwind also a good idea....
years, decades before the particles are likely to cause cancer... so avoid at all costs..

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

A half hour? Either your getting old or charging too much.

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83 SD

84 CD

If the fluid is black as tar use cheaper DOT3 this time, then in a couple weeks flush it again with DOT4. This will let the residual crap in the system absorb into the DOT3 and then get expelled.

-Jason

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Very true. I certainly hope no one here has black brake fluid!

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

thanks for all the good advice guys...
i'd work on it tonight but "the boy" had to take it till he gets his turbo oil supply line fixed on his TDI.
hope he doesn't wreck the SD again.

__________________
1985 300SD
1998 Jetta TDI
Previous: lots of diesel VW's, MB's, KW's, Pete, Freightliner


Walking isn't a lost art: one must, by some means, get to the garage.