Brake Pads for different caliper makes?
 

On many sites, they simply quote prices for pads for our 300Ds. But on Pelican, they have specific pads for ATE and different ones for Bendix calipers.

Anyone know why others don't differentiate or are they just assuming we still have original calipers? If so what do we have? My car that needs brakes is 85 300D.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300D Base Sedan - Brake Pads & Rotors - Page 1

Conducting a popularity contest (which will be won be Ate) won't help you verify which brand your car has. To paraphrase Yogi, you can observe a lot just by looking. You need to look at your calipers.

Based on my experience, most or all 1985s came with Bendix front calipers from the factory. But you need to pull a wheel to be certain as ATE are easier and cheaper to buy, so many cars have been switched over when calipers needed replacing.

The difference between the two pads is thickness. From memory, ATE pads fit Bendix but not vice versa.

Thanks Zach. That answers my question.

- Originals most likely Bendix which I have on front.

- Rears were replaced by shop when I was too busy to work on cars @ $300 each! Possibly ATE but needs checking.

The question/observation/heads up was that many vendors don't ask what type of calipers you have and as a result, it wouldn't be hard to get the wrong type even if you bought OE pads from dealer.

BTW, list price for full set of OE rotors, pads and sensors from Canadian dealer was $1095 vs about C$200 from Pelican (but with cross-border shipping challenges)

I am going to pull everything off before deciding if I really need new rear rotors. And at same time, check if calipers have manufacturers emblem on them.

And I was just enjoying having the 300D back on the road!

Reading and comprehension is also helpful ;)

Dismantled front & back and all Calipers are ATE (Teves). (Fronts have Mercedes Star emblem so are likely original, backs do not and I know they were replaced)

Checked EPC and it says part number for front pads to suit Ate/Teves calipers is 0004209920 and that pads are 17.5mm thick.

Pelican says part number for Ate is 0014207820 and 15mm thick.

One other vendor quotes same number as EPC, another same as Pelican. Confusing!

I would like to get an order in, but still not sure who is correct. Anyone know for sure?

You can skip all the uncertainty and switch over to early W126 front rotors and calipers. I have all the parts to do so sitting in my living room, but I'm feeling lazy so I might put off doing the work for a while until my current front brakes are completely worn out.

My car is currently up on jack stands, I need to get those parts toute suite!

But I know what you mean. I have parts here that I bought years ago and still have not installed :o

ATE pins drive in and have a collar that helps hold them. Bendix are slimmer and have a little hair pin that retains them.

Strange. 126 can use the same pads regardless of caliper brand. I can't remember what brand I bought but one set is almost no dust and stops fine in every day traffic even panic stops. (I haven't tried repeated braking on the track.)

The other is dirty and squeals all of the time. I even added the crap to the backs of the pads and put anti squeal shims on the rears. Front anti squeal shims are NLA. My intent is to throw the current pads in the trash or get my money back. These cars are meant to have better parts than that.

I have squealing rear brakes on my E320. New Pagid pads and coated Zimmerman discs. But only at low speeds. I should try some antisqueal on the back of the pads but too many other jobs at present.

I still have no clue as to whether I need to buy 0014209920 pads that are 17.5mm thick or 0014207820 that are 15mm thick to use with front ATE calipers on 85 300D.

I defintely have ATE calipers, but can see why pads need to be different for Bendix if pins are different. But how about thickness? Pelican seems to say that for ATE the thinner pads should be used. But EPC says otherwise.

The different pins are not reflected in the pads. the ate pad will work in either caliper but the thicker bendix pad will not work in the ate. The braking power is the same.

That is what Pelican Parts is saying: Use 15mm pads on ATE. But EPC gives the part number for the 17.5mm pad for use on ATE calipers for the 1985 model.

I have searched the net on this, but no clear answer yet.

You will find the thicker pads will not go into the ate calipers. You heard it here.;)