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?

__________________
1994 C280, dark green metallic
105k miles

1991 190E 2.6, Black
191,500 miles
(sold to another forum member)

2003 Chevy Tahoe LT, Redfire Metallic
105k miles

1989 Mustang GT Cobra Convertible
43k miles

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.

__________________
1994 C280, dark green metallic
105k miles

1991 190E 2.6, Black
191,500 miles
(sold to another forum member)

2003 Chevy Tahoe LT, Redfire Metallic
105k miles

1989 Mustang GT Cobra Convertible
43k miles

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.

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

Nashville...is great.

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

__________________
1994 C280, dark green metallic
105k miles

1991 190E 2.6, Black
191,500 miles
(sold to another forum member)

2003 Chevy Tahoe LT, Redfire Metallic
105k miles

1989 Mustang GT Cobra Convertible
43k miles

http://www.akebonobrakes.com/

__________________
'84 300SD sold
124.128

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.

__________________
1994 C280, dark green metallic
105k miles

1991 190E 2.6, Black
191,500 miles
(sold to another forum member)

2003 Chevy Tahoe LT, Redfire Metallic
105k miles

1989 Mustang GT Cobra Convertible
43k miles

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?

__________________
1994 C280, dark green metallic
105k miles

1991 190E 2.6, Black
191,500 miles
(sold to another forum member)

2003 Chevy Tahoe LT, Redfire Metallic
105k miles

1989 Mustang GT Cobra Convertible
43k miles

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.

__________________
-tp


1990 300SE "Corinne"- 145k daily driver - street modified differential - PARTING OUT OR SELLING SOON - PORTLAND OR. AREA - PM ME FOR DETAILS
1988 560SEL "Gunther"- 190K passes anything except a gas station
1997 S420 - 265k just bought it with a rebuilt trans. Lovely condition

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.

__________________
1994 C280, dark green metallic
105k miles

1991 190E 2.6, Black
191,500 miles
(sold to another forum member)

2003 Chevy Tahoe LT, Redfire Metallic
105k miles

1989 Mustang GT Cobra Convertible
43k miles