Purchase New Brake Pads?
 

Hi,
I'm taking my Mercedes 300D in for a service, and new front brake pads.
He said the rotors were 50/50, but I could do without new ones at this point.
I haven't taken my car in for quite awhile...(lost job).
So he said I would save money if I bought the parts, although he
couldn't guarantee his work. He faxed me a Long list of parts, which
I'm having trouble reading..anyway, he said there was a lot of little
parts. I'm thinking of possibly buying just the brake pads, and not
mess with the small stuff. Even then I'm not sure I would save much.
Anyone know what to look for, where to get brake pads?..
thanks

I ran into an emergency situation where I needed rear pads for mine. I was slightly surprised to find an Autozone in a somewhat ghetto part of San Diego had them in stock for $17. In other words, pretty much any place that sells car parts should have what you're looking for.

If all you have right now is worn down front pads and no other symptoms, you should be fine just doing those.

If you have any way to lift the car safely, a lug wrench to remove the wheels, something thin and metal to use as a punch, a hammer, and something wide and strong to use as a pry bar you can do the pads yourself and save money.

Then you'll just need some pad grease (about $5) and a turkey baster (dollar store).

Brake Pad Replacement Guide

The pictures of the pad removal are taken with the caliper off the car but the job is exactly the same with it on the car.

I guess I figure that since you're buying the parts, and he can't guarantee the work (one of the main reasons to take a car to a mechanic is to make them responsible for doing it right and fixing it if it's not done right), you doing it makes sense.

I recommend against Autozone pads. I needed some on the 84SD and haven't been able to stop them from squealing. Calipers were fresh remans, hardware was new, rotors and hoses were new. I've pulled the pads and used the paste on the back. This is the noisiest pad I've ever had.

I took everything apart this weekend and installed shims on the rears. Still noisy and dusty. I'll look for some low dust and begin again.

Thanks, I just meant I'd buy the parts....
 

Thanks for the advice, i just meant I would possibly buy some parts
myself. My mechanic said he would only charge for labor, but
would not guarantee his work. I only want to do this
if I save enough to make it worth my while...

I've done several hundred brake jobs and I've never needed the turkey baster. I haven't used pad grease very many times either. Both are pretty much optional.

As for Autozoo pads, I usually don't buy from them, but I was looking for O'Reilly's and got lost. I found Autozoo first and said, "Why not? It's just a temporary fix anyway." That was two months ago and I still haven't gotten around to the four corner brake rebuild I keep saying I'm going to do. The pads don't make any noise that I can hear over the engine, unlike the front brakes on my bike. Good thing I don't care if brakes squeal as long as they stop the vehicle.

I think paying a little bit more and getting his guarantee/warranty would be a better value in the long run. You can really only afford mistakes or bad new parts (which does happen) if you do your own work and the labor is "free". Saving a few dollars on pads might lead to having to get them done again at double the labor if for some reason the new pads aren't up to snuff or he installs them wrong but blames the pads you gave him instead of admitting his mistake since he told you in advance he couldn't guarantee it.

Shops don't pay retail for parts. When you buy your own parts, you are just transferring the profit from the shop to the parts store. Don't you think the shop is going to find a way to make up the difference?

In my opinion, no shop worth its salt is going to routinely allow the customer to furnish parts.

The turkey baster is $1 and if you need it and don't have it you'll wish you did.

And the pad paste is optional but a good practice and cheap.

Lot's of folks wind up wishing they had opened a bleed valve instead of sending old, rusty and contaminated brake fluid back up the the master cylinder. And they wish that $1 was all that it cost them.

Thanks...
 

I think I may just let him get the parts...I think. He did say
i could just get brake pads on the front, but if I didn't get the rotors,
they would make make some screeching when I stop. I think a guy below referenced
that...

Go to your local dealer and buy OEM parts. Do the job once.

Presumably, you mean OE parts.

For most things, dealer parts are much more expensive than aftermarket. Sometimes there is quality to go with the price difference. Often there isn't. Many times you're just paying for a star on the box. Sometimes you can get the exact same part from the exact same manufacturer much cheaper by buying through other channels, such as this site.

I Found These Two Brake Pads On EBAY...Both for Mercedes?
 

Hello,

My mechanic says to buy Pagid brakes if I want to purchase my own,
that is what he uses. I'm just a little confused.
I found these on EBAY, different part numbers. Are both or either
ok?
Mercedes Benz Front Brake Pads Pad Set Pagid 1640820 Sensor Vin Required | eBay
and
Mercedes Benz Front Brake Pads Pad Set Pagid 0059520 Sensor Vin Required | eBay
He said I need a brake pad sensor, and that seems to be included.
If I do buy brake pads...want to make sure I get the right ones...
Thanks
lindajane