I saw a YouTube video which seemed very easy.
I used to replace pads on my 81 300SD.
My Indy mech says tricky and can cause problems with sensors etc
Should I have him do it or is there any easy trick that is not potentially bad?

He also says rotors should be replaced with pads. 42K+ on the front rotors and pads now and dash says "Brakes, go to Workshop"

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"Do not fight if there is nothing to be gained by winning."
Erwin Rommel

that car has sbc, which has to be disabled before doing brakes. the problem is if the car wakes up while doing the job, the caliper pistons will extend during self test and chop fingers off if they're in the wrong spot at the time. or spit the pistons out if they're off and have no pads. the 123 video you saw is alot older than your car. leave it to the shop. good luck, chuck.

When I replaced 300SD pads there was no YouTiube at least not that I knew of in the late 90's

The video I mentioned was for the E320 04 W211.
But, it did not mention what you did at all and perhaps assumes you know better?
My Mech said what you did and said if I tried it myself to disconnect the battery.
So the sensors being disconnected would not stop the auto brake test you mentioned?

__________________
"Do not fight if there is nothing to be gained by winning."
Erwin Rommel

i meant the 300sd is older, not the video, sorry.

disconnect the battery and you then have to relearn throttle and engine adaptations along with the transmission. can you do that? good luck, chuck.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww, nope

My Indy said he would order the sensors, rotors and pads only charge me for what was needed and a c-note for fronts and another C for back no matter what I needed and send back the parts he did not have to use.

I am beginning to believe from your advice I should be happy with that

__________________
"Do not fight if there is nothing to be gained by winning."
Erwin Rommel

If you're getting "brakes visit workshop", It's more than likely an SBC issue. Also, there's nothing tricky about changing pads on these, unless you're a novice around cars. Technically, you're supposed to disable the SBC system, but nobody really does that. Most of us just take the key out of the ignition, keep the doors shut and let the car go into rest mode. You'll know this when the instrument cluster goes dark. Then you can change the pads like any other car. Just make sure the doors don't get opened and wake the car up when the pads are out of the calipers. You can always disconnect the battery. Nothing needs to be relearned......BTW, you didn't hear this from me.

Not sure what you mean by this. The only things that require re-learning following a battery dis-connect are the widows and sunroof.

You can also just unplug the connector on the sbc pump and then it will not activate until you plug it back in.

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1986 300E (3/2002) Rear ended and totaled (10/2009)
2000 Xterra (5/2000)
1992 400E (11/2009) -Sold
1986 300E (12/2009) - Sold
2004 E500 Wagon (6/2013) - Sold

BINGO

But if you want to replace the brake fluid you still need a scan tool.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

That was my first thought. I'd suggest reading the brake code that is making it come on. You have a 25 year, unlimited mileage warranty from MB on the SBC brake system on that application IIRC.

Rotors/pads are easy on this application. I've used the "disconnect the SBC module" trick a time or two.

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Jim

i've have a couple of cars not act right after a battery disconnect. don't chance it unless i have to.