Just last week I installed new front brake pads and rotors on my 95 C280. The pads on the front left are rubbing ever so slightly - not really causing any drag, but I notice a slight recurring noise when driving it now. Is this normal? Do I need to pull it apart and re-set things? I did spray the back of the pads with a quieting "goo" by Permatex.

Would love to hear about whether I need to adjust anything here, or just let them wear in. I am ready to do the rears as well, so anything I can learn about this would be helpful on the next time around.

Thanks, and happy holidays to all!

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1995 MB C280 (wifey's)
2001 GMC Yukon 4WD
1965 Corvair Monza Coupe (my daily driver)

It's possible the calipers are not releasing properly, but more likely the pads are wearing in. Not familiar with the design of the brake pads on your 1995 C280. There is a reusable stainless steel shim for the front brake pads on our 1991, 1992 and 1995 E-Class automobiles. Anti-squeal paste goes between the stainless steel shim and the back of the brake pad.

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Fred Hoelzle

Thanks for the response, but no shim on these ones. After reading the multitudes of posts about brakes on this forum, I was surprised to find that the fronts didn't even have the "pin type" pad replacement. Had to pull off the caliper to replace the pads (like every other non-MB disc brake job I have ever done). The rear brakes have the pins, tho'.

Any other thoughts out there?

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1995 MB C280 (wifey's)
2001 GMC Yukon 4WD
1965 Corvair Monza Coupe (my daily driver)

Yes, did you grease the caliper slide bolts?
The outer side of the caliper slides towards the inner side when you hit the brakes. It glides on two shafts that need to be greased.

Maybe the noise is the backing plate rubbing on the inner side of the rotor. It's easy to hit the plate when removing/installing the wheel. You don't have to hit it hard either.

possibly your rotors have a wear lip on them and one or both pads are dragging on that lip until they wear down.

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David S Poole
European Performance
Dallas, TX
4696880422

"Fortune favors the prepared mind"
1987 Mercedes Benz 420SEL
1988 Mercedes Benz 300TE (With new evaporator)
2000 Mercedes Benz C280
http://www.w108.org/gallery/albums/A...1159.thumb.jpg

I did not grease the slide bolts - that sounds like a good thing to do. Any particular grease? I typically use a Valvoline semi-synthetic grease which has an excellent temparature range. Any problems with that?

The old rotors had a terrible lip on them, so I put on brand new rotors. There don't appear to be any "high" spots that would rub, as would be expected on new rotors...

I'll grease the slide bolts... I presume I simply pull back the rubber boot that goes over them and wipe on some grease?

I will also check out the backing plate when I take off the wheel to do the side bolts.

Any other thoughts on whether this is a common issue that just requires a little wear-in? Have others experienced this matter before?

Thanks for all of the great replies so far, BTW.

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1995 MB C280 (wifey's)
2001 GMC Yukon 4WD
1965 Corvair Monza Coupe (my daily driver)

OK - half an hour later, here's the update:

Backing plate is OK - no rubbing there.

I greased the slide bolts. They were gummy, but still slid pretty easily. I would say I improved the sliding ease, but not the range.

Tomorrow I'll drive it and see if there is any improvement, but the pads are still rubbing on the rotor when I reinstall the wheel and turn it by hand. I hope this is simply a wear-in issue. There aren't any post-install adjustments I am supposed to be making are there?

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1995 MB C280 (wifey's)
2001 GMC Yukon 4WD
1965 Corvair Monza Coupe (my daily driver)