Brake Rotors

[John1]

Is it true the rotors have to be replaced and can not be "turned/machined??

1985 and 1986 500sel


Thanks
John1

[waybomb]

That's what they say. I thought it odd too, when I did my first Benz.
But you only have to change the rotors out every other brake job, unless you've let the pads go down to metal.

So, this is about how it works out.
1st brake job - front pads only
2nd brake job - front pads, front rotors, rears pads
3rd brake job - front pads only
4th brake job - front and rear pads, front and rear rotors.

Check the prices out - rotors are relatively cheap.

[engatwork]

as far as my experience has shown. I will add that if you do not change the brake fluid every 2 years you will be replacing calipers after about 8 to 10 years.

[jim16671836]

Take them to a auto store and they will measure them and more than likely they will turn them down. I have had 50 Mercedes cars and have done a dozen brake jobs and most of them I have had turned down if I feel the distortion of the rotors when applying the brake..If you can't feel anything thru the pedal then they should be allright....They auto stores that turn rotors(NAPA) have the specs on the required thickness and if your rotors are very worn and do not meet the specs then they will refuse to turn them...goodluck...Jim

[mbdoc]

ANY & all brake rotors can be re-surfaced as long as AFTER the machine work is done the rotors are 1mm (0.040") above minimun thickness!

[flixbiz]

I've owned four Benzes and I've had brake rotor/caliper issues with all four. How is it that I can drive Lincolns for years without ever replacing the rotors or calipers? (Except for my 1979 - Lincoln's ill-conceived foray into 4 wheel discs). Why are Benz brake systems so sensitive?

[tangofox007]

Originally Posted by flixbiz

Why are Benz brake systems so sensitive?

Fixed caliper systems have twice the number of pistons, as compared to floating caliper systems. Doubles the chance of problems, many of which could be avoided by following the MB guidelines on brake fluid exchange.

[TROVERMAN]

waybomb--good call. 30k ago, replaced just the front pads, MB OEM. The light is one again, now time for front rotors / pads, and rear pads, all OEM. That's only around $250, for OEM Mercedes, not bad at all. The rotors and pads do wear quickly, but they wear so smoothly. No complaints, other than too much brake dust on the front rims. On one of the above posts about the lincoln brakes--Our '96 Explorer LTD just barely got its 1st replacement front rotors at 135k miles. Backs are still original. The brake pads on the front have been changed twice in the life of the car; once in the rear. No fluid changes, no other brake issues whatsoever.

[Will_w202]

So, my rotors have around 20k on them, pads have tons of life left, but the rotors have been shimmying worse and worse for 5k. All shops I talk to say you cannot turn the rotors - is this BS? With 20k, I would think if the rotors CAN be turned, mine would have plenty of thickness left to do so. How do I pursue this at the dealer (Starmark car)

[waybomb]

Starmark means warranty, right. Let them fix it to Mercedes specs. meaning, new rotors and let them figure out why they warped in the first place.

[Will_w202]

Warranty does not apply to wear items like brake pads and rotors.

Doc, what do I tell the dealer to try to turn them?

[tangofox007]

Skip the dealer. They want to sell new rotors. Take your rotors to an automotive machine shop if you want them turned.

[anziani]

Maybe I am lucky, but I changed out the ORIGINAL rotors this year on my '87 300E. They went 150K and were approaching the thickness limit. I have always thought that if one replaces the pads before they hit metal, the rotors would wear naturally. I have never had a problem with brakes on my MB. In fact, I also have a '91 190E 2.6 with the original rotors at 138K
Anziani

[mbdoc]

Either measure the rotors OR have them measured. IF they are 1.5mm (0.060") above minimun then have any good repair shop re-surface them!