I started to replace my front pads today and saw that there are two torx bolts that I need to deal with to open the caliper.

Research shows they are T-45 torx which I can buy pretty much anywhere. Is there anything else I should be aware of? It seems like an easier job than on my 124s.

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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

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Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

Eric, not familiar with your specific vehicle, but you shouldn't need to "open the caliper". I would be leery of doing that without causing major problems. I own older MB models and there is no need to disassemble the calipers to remove/replace brake pads.

__________________
Fred Hoelzle

Here is a DIY. DIY Brakes, with pictures... - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

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Prost!

I think he is referring to the guide pins. On floating calipers, the guide pins need to be retracted in order to remove the floating portion of the caliper and remove the pads.

Things you'll need are - a few packets of MB brake grease and a couple of wear sensors. Put the grease on the metal contact points between the pad and pistons and on the guide pins. Also, it's a good idea to measure the thickness of the discs. W210 discs are not meant to be turned but rather replaced when the thickness reaches a certain point.

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Good luck.






1998 E320 Wagon

Correct -- the guide pins.

I bought Akebono Euro ceramic pads, which came with sensors and grease. Now I need the T45 torx bit and I should be set. (The wear sensors on my current pads must have been incorrectly installed since the pads are paper thin and I never got a warning.)

Thanks everyone.

__________________
2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

------------------------------------
Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

The sensor is only a piece of vinyl coated wire. You should get a warning message if you touch it (metal exposed) to the disc. If not maybe a problem up stream. I believe the vinyl should be rubbed away when the OEM pad thickness reaches 2.5mm. That is designed to give you time to schedule a pad replacement.

__________________
Good luck.






1998 E320 Wagon

Understood, but mine never did. I'll probably see why when the pads are out.

__________________
2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

------------------------------------
Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

The front seem to be the sliding caliper single piston type brakes used by most manufacturers of cheap cars. Be sure to clean and lube the sliders as they give more problems than the rest of the caliper.

Paul

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

Actually, and what confused me initially, is that these are double-piston calipers, which I did not see cited in the sources I researched.

__________________
2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

------------------------------------
Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

Eric, didn't realize that MBUSA specified ceramic brake pads for their vehicles. I would stay with either Jurid or Textar brake pads. The ceramic brake pads may produce less brake dust, but also won't provide the braking effectiveness of Jurid, Textar or genuine MB brake pads.

__________________
Fred Hoelzle

I have over 60,000 miles experience with the Akebono Euro Ceramic pads on my 2000 C280 and my 1999 E430. I had real problems with load squealing when I installed the Akebono pads with the old, but still in spec, rotors. The deposits impregnated in the rotors from other pads cause the squealing. Use new rotors. Expect a very slightly higher pedal pressure and much, much more progressive response (as opposed to the on-off switch response of the conventional pads). I did some braking tests from 60 and 80 mph on a local abandoned road and I can't detect any difference in stopping distance. Repeated stops came within +/- 3 feet compared to the the conventional pads.

Fred & Vince,

I might never find out how those pads are because I went to install them today and discovered they are too small. (See pic.)

Is this because it is a 4-Matic, which I am assuming uses a larger pad (and those dual-piston calipers)?

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

------------------------------------
Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

Just found the answer to my own question -- the 01 and 02 e430s (or just 4matics?) require larger pads.

__________________
2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

------------------------------------
Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

I find that EPC-net ( https://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/home.jsp ) to be useful for confirming part numbers.

__________________
Good luck.






1998 E320 Wagon

The EPC is fine for factory part numbers, but the OP was talking about using aftermarket parts.