Greetings,
A few months ago I replaced the front brake rotors and pads and noticed the brake pad wear sensors attached to the pads. Great idea, so many of the new cars out there don't even have this feature. I was wondering if the rear pads also had this feature. I haven't had the rear wheels off in a long time and am starting to wonder if the pads back there are ok. Will there be any warning before they start eating into the surface of the rotors from being too thin? Thanks so much.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

No, alas, only on the front. Have to inspect the rears. There was a poll here a time back, and the consensus seems to be about 30,000 miles for lifetime on brake pads, rears longer. If you use them hard all the time, less.

Don't wait until they bite into the rotor, or you will have to replace it, too!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Deleted.

I don't think we have rear sensors.
Best to inspect.
Second best at the first sign "grinding sound" change them.
Normal the rear will last twice to three time the fronts. The fronts do 80% of the stopping. That is why we get more pad dust on the front wheels instead of even all around.
Go luck. Charlie

The front brakes do about 70% of the braking thus they wear out quicker. So, there is no sensor on the back. With disc brakes it super simple to check the pad thickness. With some wheels you can even look through the wheel and eyeball the pad thickness. Worst case you have to pull a rear wheel to eyeball it.

A good rule of thumb is to eyeball the rear pads for thickness when the sensor light comes on. You're in your work clothes anyway, perfect time to give them a look see.

Good luck,

The other bit of good news about the rear brakes is that the rotors, if you do ruin them, are even easier to replace than the fronts. However, since they still aren't free, I'd agree with Larry and just plan on checking them when you do the fronts. It's a good time to rotate the tire too.

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LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold

Greetings,

As Larry mentioned, and with all vehicles I know of the front brakes are the dominant braking force, and thus get the sensors on these fine MB vehicles. As also mentioned, it is extremely easy to look in between the fins of your rims to see not only the brake pads of the rear brakes, but also the condition of the disc. Yes, I have had to replace the rear disc and brakes on the car before, but they seem to wear at about a 2 to 1 ratio. If your dash light is on for the fronts, double check the rears to ensure there is still lining and disc left on them.

Charles

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"Tell me and I will listen, Teach me and I will learn, Show me and I will accomplish, Involve me and I will succeed."
'84 300SD 256,000 Gold on Brown (Mileage Award)
'86 300E 246,000 Blue on Tan

The rear has no sensors.

As a rule of thumb, 2 front pad replacements equal 1 rear pad replacement - well, more or less ..

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.