1995 C280 Brakes! Help!

[David C Klasse]

I thought I heard metal on metal at 77k miles. So I took my car to the mechanic to have him check out my brakes, he said that I still had 50% left on them. So I felt rather stupid. Anyway, the car was purchased used at 71,000 miles, and I have NO maintenance records, in which the Kia dealership (believe it or not) said they would provide for me (I still have to get back to them). Anyway, I don't know when the brakes were last replaced, or if it was serviced at a MB dealership (rather if new brake pad wear sensors were put on).
Well I'm not hearing metal on metal (so I think?) every time I am in a parking structure or am braking close to a wall. No brake lining lights have lit up. Before I make a fool of myself again having my mechanic check it out AGAIN, and have them still be good, are there any other relatively easy way to check the brakes without taking it in? Thanks so much for all the help.

[engatwork]

as well as I can.

Remove one of the front wheels. Turn the part that the lug nuts screws into (this is the "hub" - the larger diameter "shiny" rotating piece is the brake rotor). While looking down on the edge of the rotor look for the parts that come closet to it. The parts closest to the brake disc are the brake pads and you should see one on both sides. The part holding the pads are the brake caliper.

Now, this is where the description gets hard based on if the pads are worn out or not. You are going to have to look rear close at the pad and the metal surface that the pad is attached to. The pad left on the metal surface is what wears down. When it is worn all the way down to metal you have used them too long and have more than likely damaged the rotor. There is a little slot cut through the pad. When the slot is no longer there it is time to replace them.

Jim
'95 E320
'97 CRV

[MBenzNL]

Hottee,

Is it possible that you have a squeaking kind of after market brake-pads?? There are several suppliers of after market brake-pads, some are better, some are worse and some have the intention to squeak every time you use them...
Metal-metal sound can be caused by broken pads as well; it is possible that the pads still look good, but are cracked inside.
I have even seen after market pads that contained metal parts (such as a little pipe), such as a big time fault during the production of the pads. Did the mechanic take out all the pads or did he just have a quick look?
I don't know what sound you are hearing, but these are just some suggestions...

You can check whether the sensors are put in by looking at the (front) calipers. There has to be a little cable at the outside of the calipers (the front side of the car) that comes from the outer pad and goes to a plastic cover on the caliper. You can see approx. 2cm cable if you look at it.

greetingz,

[David C Klasse]

THe mechanic took off all four wheels and checked them all out. I am going to take off a front tire today and check it out. I have new brake pad sensors, maybe I should install them while I'm at it?? Just to make me feel better?
They are cheap, as you know I'm sure.

[David C Klasse]

Well I pulled of one of the front wheels and checked the brake pads. I was with a friend who helped me locate them. They are still pretty good I thinK. But I had not idea the pads were that small. I thought they were the size of the disc! Anyway, I still have brakes!! Thanks for the assistance!

[MBenzNL]

Hottee,

The pads are small indeed but do their job fairly well. I never hat much problems with stopping the car and that one time I had a problem it was due to boiling brake fluid (this was due to the fact that I was disabusing my car over some French mountain roads, great ride though).
The rotors and pads on a C-class do their work very well.

If the pads did have the sensors stick in, you do not need to replace them...

greetingz,