Hi Newbie here. I'm tired of hearing the ear piercing squeal from the front brakes on my Benz and I plan to grease the pads this weekend. I've talked to number of mechanics and some say soak them in oil and others say to just use regular grease on the braking surface. Anyone tried either way, and what were the results?

Thanks

You do not want grease, oil or any other foreign material on the brake surfaces. In fact, oil could cause your brakes to lock up if its on the pad/rotor interface.

Replace the pads with good ones.

__________________
1995 E320 -171k-km
1995 S420 -333k-km

UTTERLY INSANE ADVISE!!! Petroleum products on the disk or pad friction surface will usually render the pads useless and require replacement and a thorough cleaning of the disk surface. I hope you just misinterpreted what these "mechanics" said.

There is a product usually known as "brake paste", available at most auto parts stores, that you can apply to the pad's steel backing plate where it contacts the piston on the inboard side and the caliper housing on the outboard that may help, but you are better off selecting a pad that has low noise characteristics - like PBR Deluxe.

Duke

As others have said, you put antisqueal goop on the BACK of the pads. nothing on the part of the pads that contacts the rotor. Mercedes sells a nice little jar of antisqueal paste with a brush applicator in the cap. not cheap (around $15) but it will last you years.

__________________
2005 Mercedes C230k sport sedan, 6 speed
1987 Porsche 924S - 968-engined track car

Out of curiosity, what model car do you have?

Yeah, soaking the pads in oil is beyond dangerous, nothing at all should ever be applied to the friction surface.....the squeal is usually caused by vibration between the back of the pad and the caliper, not by contact between the brake pad and the disc itself.

"stop squeak" should be readily available, just make sure it's only applied to the back of the pads! Back on the old days there was a great line of brake chemicals sold under the "lubriplate" name, not sure if they are around anymore. But as mentioned, if you are going to the trouble of removing the pads, they might was well be replaced as well, and the discs checked to make sure they are in spec for thickness and straightness.

__________________
1999 SL500

Under no circumstances should grease or oil ever touch the brake pad material. The only substance that should contact the pad surface is brake cleaner. That will not cure your squeel. Mercedes does have a special brake rotor cleaning pads that replace the pads and there is a procedure to use them but I don't know about it.

I had a squeeking problem that was cured by changing the rear pads to OEM. The PO had a chain store change the brakes and it always squeeked. I just changed the front pads and the "thick" pads fit without the backing plate. I used just a little brake paste and they broke in fine, with no squeeks. My suggestion is to replace the pads and check the rotor thickness to be sure you are within the repair specification. Brake in: 50 mph slow brake to 25 MPH. Repeat perhaps 20 times with time to cool between. Good luck.

__________________
Steve
1985 Mercedes 500SL Euro (Gray market)
1995 BMW 520i Euro (Gray market)
1992 BMW 525it Wagon
1994 Honda Del Sol Si

BRIBENZ,
Congratulations! You were the first reply to the thread who actually read the WHOLE POST. I didn't hide anythind. The top left and right corners had all the info you picked up on. I can't believe I nailed old Duke 2.6. I hope I didn't offend anyone. On the one hand I was feeling it was time for a little prank. Secondly I kind of wanted to make a point that too many folks don't read carefully enough. It's too bad you caught me so early in the game. Actually I'll bet we get a few more folks who skip right over your post to anxiously post their advice. Heh, Heh, Heh.

Peter

__________________
Auto Zentral Ltd.