I need brake pads for my '83 240D. Pelicanparts shows front pads for Bendix or ATE calipers. Looking at Pelicanparts' photos of both kinds of caliper, I can't see any obvious difference.



How can I tell what calipers I have, so I can order the right pads?

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'75 John Deere 450C (times 2)
'83 240D plus parts car
'87 F350, 6.9L IDI
'89 F350 crewcab, 7.3L IDI
'89 F-Superduty, 7.3L IDI
'91 F-250, 7.3L IDI
'91 F-350, 7.3L IDI
'94 F-350 Crewcab, 7.3L IDI
'94 E-350 Ambulance, 7.3L IDI

Pull a wheel and look. There will be the manufacturer's name cast in the body of the caliper. There's no other way to be certain, they could have been mixed and matched or replaced over the life of the car.

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Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

If the keepers are springs like coat hanger, you probably have Bendix. If they are flat metal in a cross shape, you have ATE. Some have said that this does not always hold true, but over 40 years I have never seen different.1981 300SD Bendix or ATE?

The brand is also cast in the metal.

Later Bendix also has the flat metal style keepers. They're a different size than the ATE.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

There are fat and thinner brake pads. The fat ones will only go on one brand but I do not remember which. The thinner ones work in both.

Interesting info about the later Bendix; did not know that.

Brand cast into the metal. That seems too easy. I never thought of that ... I'll look.

Thanks.

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'75 John Deere 450C (times 2)
'83 240D plus parts car
'87 F350, 6.9L IDI
'89 F350 crewcab, 7.3L IDI
'89 F-Superduty, 7.3L IDI
'91 F-250, 7.3L IDI
'91 F-350, 7.3L IDI
'94 F-350 Crewcab, 7.3L IDI
'94 E-350 Ambulance, 7.3L IDI

How Do I know Which Brake pads for 300D?

I have ATE but the logo is small and made into a triangle that has a large A and the other2 letter get smaller. It is hard to see. Better to look at the brake hardware as others have said.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

All the Ate ones I have seen have it spelled out. I have replacements on order for the 77, and needed a wire brush to clean the crud off to see both the Benz star and Ate

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95 E300D working out the kinks
77 300D, 227k, station car
83 300CD 370k, gone away
89 190E 2.6- 335k, no more
79 VW FI Bus- 145k miles, summer driver
59 VW Beetle ragtop- 175k miles
12 VW Jetta- 160k miles

The thinner pads will fit either caliper.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.