Hi,

Ill be taking my wheels off in a day or two to do a fluid flush, but looking in today, it seems to look like the rear brake pads are much thinner than the fronts. I changed all the pads at the same time, and since the rears do much less work, what gives?
Are the rear pads usually thinner then the fronts when purchased new? I did them about a year ago, and dont really recall. I used pagid pads from fastlane.

Any info on that would be really appreciated... It seems to me thta my car is making a slightly different sound now, and is slightly slower than before, so I have to wonder if the rear calipers are somehow sticking or something.

Thanks,

JMH

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

JHZR2,

The rear pads usually last quite a bit longer than the fronts and may be slightly smaller in contact surface area than the fronts, but they are typically the same thickness. I would check the temperature of the wheel next time you park the car after a ride of any substantial length. If the caliper is grabbing the affected wheel will be much hotter than the others.

One of the problems with rear pads sticking comes from burned off pad and worn disc materials getting wet with road spray and then corroding into a hard lump in the channel the pads move in. This can make them extra tight and unable to move away from the disc slightly when you take your foot off the brake pedal. Of course the piston to caliper cylinder seal may be shot too if it is old, and not be up to the task of pulling the piston back slightly.

Better get a rebuild kit from FastLane for the calipers for a couple of bucks. I did this recently and it worked fine, as long as there is no surface damage to the piston outside diameter and the bore of the cylinder. And some new pads. Good luck, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)