Meyle rotors...no good? I've got a problem on my C280.
 

1994 C280. Was getting a little vibration up front and needed new pads anyway. Got Mintex pads from Phil, as usual, and ordered some new rotors -- they are Meyle from Germany.

Fast forward to yesterday. Changed the pads and rotors. Made sure to clean all mating surfaces with wire brush and wipe clean. Used NAPA brake quiet paste. Double checked it all. Did proper break in procedure. Yada yada yada.

I have a "roar" and vibration from the front brakes like when your pads/rotors are completely worn out and maybe even has metal touching when braking.

I pulled the wheels again -- all is correct. Calipers not stuck and freely floating. The pulsing from my old semi warped rotors is gone, of course, but this new roar/vibration is driving me nuts.

Any ideas?

I have used Meyle rotors for the rear of my 03 wagon and they are fine.

The company is German based but these rotors are mostly made in China (mine were and said so on the box, which looks very impressive for a rotor box). So quality control could be a problem.

I still think something is wrong in the re-assemble of the rotors/pads. The caliper carrier bolts should be pretty tight, IIRC. Mercedes suggests to use new bolts but at least thread locker should be used if the old bolts are re-used.

Thanks...maybe it is the Mintex pads. The caliper carrier bolts are tight, but the travel portion floats freely. I used new bolts. I am wondering...if the Mintex pads could possibly be too thick...although, that would cause rub but not a roar.

If it is metal on metal then something should be shiny where it is rubbing. It has been a while since I worked on mine so I can't really help much. How is Nashville? I miss that town.

Nashville...is great.

I don't have metal on metal. It is just that the roar sound/feel is like that.

One Word for brakes: Akebono
 

Still having the problem although it isn't as loud as before now that the powder coating is worn away. I wondered if it was the back brakes causing some of the sound so I replaced them, too (pads).

The front rotors seem to be very smooth now that the coating is gone. I am wondering if the new pads glazed or where otherwise damaged in the process of removing that thick/hard powder coating.

It is a slight roar and you can feel the "vibration/rub" as you brake.

Thanks.

Check and clean the mating surface between the back of the rotor and the spindle before installing new rotors. The spindle can accumulate surface rust which can keep the rotor from sitting completely flat.
I installed Meyle front rotors ($20 each!) on my 190e and they've been perfect in 5k miles so far.

I was meticulous about cleaning all mating surfaces with cleaner and wire brush. The issue isn't mating, it is more like if you had really rough pads on really rough rotors - that kind of friction rub/roar.

What kind of pads did you install?

New metallic formulated pads can do that until they're really broken in, and in some cases even afterwards.

I had a mechanic that used to very briefly take new pads to a belt sander to prevent that issue.

No idea if it works, never tried it.

Mintex something or other I think. Whatever was cheaper at the time.

I used red box Mintex. Got an email from Meyle tech service that noted they have seen some issues with certain pads having issues working with their geomet coated rotors. Some have the problem right off, others after 1-2k miles.

I may change pads to see but don't want to waste another $40.