This past weekend I changed both front & rear brake pads & also a set of rear rotors on my 240d. I was AMAZED how easy & simple of a job it was. So much that I actually enjoyed it!!!
(or perhaps mental illness has finally set in?!?!)

The surprising part was that even though my 240d is 21 years old - all of the parts came apart easily - which is a major feat here in cold, rusty Eastern Canada.

Also the archives here came in super handy, as there were a lot of good posts on how to do this job.

Aivars

Ps I've been also following the Biodiesel posts & I think I might be brewing this summer

AJB,Now that you have brakes... you want to stop by my place and do mine next weekend ? Thanks, Tom Sawyer...

What!?

And deprive you of the all the FuN I experienced doing mine??!?

THAT, I feel would be morally & ethically wrong!!

Aivars

It was snowing a few weeks ago and I changed the rear pads on my 300D in 23 minutes flat for both sides, from the time I jacked it up until I torqued the lug nuts back down.

I love MB engineering... it makes sense

__________________
Matt
2003 Jetta Wagon TDI 145,000MI
1999.5 Jetta TDI 287,000MI
2001 Suzuki SV650S 26,000MI
2008 Yamaha Vino 125 11,000MI
http://www.crazymatt.org

AJB, Where did you get that crazy monkey ?

The first time I touched a set of MB brakes was about 25 years ago, but I'll never forget it. My wife had a '73 model 250 and it was time to put pads on it.

I got the pads and had no idea what it would take to get the job done. Since I didn't know what I was in for, I set aside an entire Saturday for the job.

I got an early start and was finished in 45 minutes. Although I had messed with MB's some when I was in the Army in Germany, just doing tune ups and such for my friends, I think this brake job was when I really started gaining respect for the MB's from a repair standpoint. My wife and I had already figured out the fact that they were the only car to drive from a behind the wheel standpoint.

Have a great day,

Leathermang, that is a picture of my helper monkey. Here in Canada, eh, everyone has a helper monkey.

What a deal, free health care & a helper monkey just like the one Homer Simpson had----kind of makes up for the low value of the Canadian dollar.......... (sorry I couldn't resist :p )

Actually, my son helped me find the monkey avitar on the Lucas Forums.(a forum for Jedi Knight stuff that he's into)

Aivars

Larry,

The first time I did a brake job on my '61 190Db, it took a couple of evenings. I did not have the proper tools to deal with the centering return springs, which were a lot stiffer than the ones on my Model "A" Ford. Ha Ha. However, was very much impressed several years later, when I tackled the first set of disc pad MB brakes on the 220D/8. Yeah, only took 30 - 45 minutes for both sides..... fantastic design!!

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1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

Yep,

Just did my '84 and will be doing the '83 next week when Fastlane delivers. A very enjoyable job.

All my life I avoided brake jobs thinking that I could afford screw ups in other areas but not brakes. Once I did an MB I was shocked.

I don't minimize the importance, but the system just makes sense and is easy to do. Very affordable as well.

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed