Better brakes for 126s - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Dee8go · #1 06-06-2008, 11:54 AM

I have been wondering if there are larger, more efficient brakes that will fit right on to a 126 (560SEC) with 17" rims on it. I know there are after market ones that are pretty expensive. What I'm wondering is if there might be another MB rotor/caliper set up that is better and will bolt right on without modification.

redassag00 · #2 06-06-2008, 12:36 PM

I have been lusting over those zimmerman sport rotors.

Chad300tdt · #3 06-06-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redassag00

I have been lusting over those zimmerman sport rotors.

I read that you HAVE to use ceramic pads ($$$) if you use those and if you use the cross drilled type, they frequently break. I don't know for sure if this is true, but it made me reconsider using them myself.

mramay · #4 06-06-2008, 03:34 PM

Interesting question. After talking to Jonathon (Blue Ridge MB), I'm keeping my stock rotor sizes, but..... I have ATE slotted rotors on the front with semi-metallic brake pads. Jono has put his AMG SEL on the track and says that removing the brake dust shields helped and he's likely to put some ducting from the fog light holes to increase air flow, which I'll be glad to plagiarize.

To make sure all is well, I'll put in a new or rebuilt master cylinder and rebuild all four wheel cylinders before my LS6 motor is in there. I have the steel wrapped teflon brake lines to install as well. The rears will likely keep the stock non-slotted rotors (for now) but I have the semi-metallic pads for them. I have two liters of Castrol SRF brake fluid as well ($80/L!!).

Once all that's done, then I'll be able to abuse the brakes to see if anything else is needed. It would *look* better with bigger brakes, but MB designed the stock setup for a 4,000 pound car capable of 150mph.

Dee8go · #5 06-06-2008, 04:33 PM

What does having armored brake lines do for you? Do they perform better than the stock ones do?

Chad300tdt · #6 06-06-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

What does having armored brake lines do for you? Do they perform better than the stock ones do?

They reduce/eliminate brake line swelling when you apply the brakes.

Dee8go · #7 06-06-2008, 04:50 PM

Okay, that makes sense. I thought it was just because they look cool.

Actually, I have a Porsche Design pen and pencil set that are made out of braided SS and gold brake line material. THEY look pretty cool!

Roncallo · #8 06-08-2008, 05:08 PM

I lucked out with my 560SL. The front breaks on the SL600 bolt right on. Backing plates, Rotors and Calipers. Now I have a problem with the back which is a 126 rotor.

To have the right balance I will need to get and SL600 rear rotor on the back. The sl600 rear rotor is vented and slightly larger than the 560SL front rotor. The SL600 caliper bolts in place. So I need a custom rotor or a custom hat for a composite rotor. It looks like I'm getting off easy.

Dee8go · #9 06-09-2008, 09:54 AM

Could a machinist modify the SL6oo rotors sufficiently for them to work on the rear?

Roncallo · #10 06-09-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

Could a machinist modify the SL6oo rotors sufficiently for them to work on the rear?

Not possible the hats on the 560 are about an inch taller.

I believe for the 126 you could probably go the same way I am for my 107 with the exception that you would also need custom rotors or hats. I believe a used set of SL600 brakes and custom made rotors will be allot cheaper than a big break kit.

I'm really glad I bought the whole car for my V12 project. I'm getting a whole bunch of other stuff I never thought I would need. Plus I'm about $3000 away from breaking even with it from parts sales.

Dee8go · #11 06-09-2008, 10:45 AM

What would happen if you left the stock rear rotors on it after putting the SL600 rotors on the front?

Roncallo · #12 06-09-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

What would happen if you left the stock rear rotors on it after putting the SL600 rotors on the front?

I thought about it but the SL600 rear rotors are bigger and thicker that the FRONT rotors on 560SL. There is not too much of a weight difference between these cars but there is a huge brake difference.

Dee8go · #13 06-09-2008, 02:05 PM

I figured that since the front brakes get most of the wear and tear, that bigger ones there were more important than having them on the back. I don't know what other effect disproportionate brakes would have.

Roncallo · #14 06-14-2008, 11:46 PM

I'm honing in on a solution. This is a challenge due to the rear parking break and the diameter of the hub.

The ideal solution at least for me is to use a 300mm X 22mm vented rear disk with a 200mm minimum diameter. I would prefer that because that is the size of the SL600 rear disk so it would be perfectly balanced my SL600 front breaks.

Brembo makes a 300X25 rotor with a 195mm ID. Wilwood makes a 298.55mm x 20.6mm that I just might be able to squeeze in there but the ID is 216mm or a 203.2mm. The problem with the Brembo and the smaller ID Wilwood is that both rotors would have to be mounted backwards with no pilot on the hub. Essentially the opening in the hub mount for this rotor is just large enough to clear the hub and parking breaks. The Brembo unit would require mods to the calipers and then shaved pads to install.

One of the Wilwood units may be the optimal solution but I would have to decide against 2 evils. One would require the same undesirable Brembo style backwards unpiloted mount and the other would require shaving 10mm off the lower edge of the brake pads. Or I could also just use the larger ID Wilwood with the stock 560SL pads, they do fit and are not as tall but the pistons do hang over the edge.

Also I would like to add since this question came up for a 126, that the 107 rear breaks are exactly the same as the 126. therefore anything I come up with for my 107 rear brakes will work for the 126.

Roncallo · #15 06-14-2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mramay

Interesting question. After talking to Jonathon (Blue Ridge MB), I'm keeping my stock rotor sizes, but..... I have ATE slotted rotors on the front with semi-metallic brake pads. Jono has put his AMG SEL on the track and says that removing the brake dust shields helped and he's likely to put some ducting from the fog light holes to increase air flow, which I'll be glad to plagiarize.

To make sure all is well, I'll put in a new or rebuilt master cylinder and rebuild all four wheel cylinders before my LS6 motor is in there. I have the steel wrapped teflon brake lines to install as well. The rears will likely keep the stock non-slotted rotors (for now) but I have the semi-metallic pads for them. I have two liters of Castrol SRF brake fluid as well ($80/L!!).

Once all that's done, then I'll be able to abuse the brakes to see if anything else is needed. It would *look* better with bigger brakes, but MB designed the stock setup for a 4,000 pound car capable of 150mph.

That is a good point. My 560SL breaks are bigger than the breaks on my F150 long bed pickup. But compared to the SL600 they are miniature trinkets.