Front Right Wheel Grinding Sound - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

veggie190 · #1 04-10-2006, 11:57 AM

I have a nasty grinding sound coming from my front right wheel when I brake. Any ideas on the culprit? No indicator lights are on. From what I've read it could be the pads, rotors, or wheel bearings. Any advice as in time, cost, and difficulty of the job would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Ken300D · #2 04-10-2006, 12:12 PM

Sometimes when a brake job is done, the replacement pad sensors are left out of the job. This results in the pads wearing down without any indicator light coming on.

You should pull off that wheel and check both the inner and outer pads for wear. And you may be able to turn the wheel around and repeat the noise.

So, you may be looking at just pads, or maybe pads and rotors.

Just my guess.......

Ken300D

veggie190 · #3 04-10-2006, 01:30 PM

Is it hard to replace pads and rotors? I've done some work on my MB but never brake work. Any estimates on how much $ on parts and how long the job would take.

Ken300D · #4 04-10-2006, 01:48 PM

I haven't done a 190 series MB yet, but generally speaking, the pads are easy. The rotors are a bit different from American cars in that they bolt on to the hub, and you replace just the rotor part, keeping the old hub. To do this you have to remove the hub from the spindle, and this results in (typically) needing new wheel bearings and rear grease seal. This takes time, but is not too hard to do with the right tools. A search here on rotor replacement should turn up some information.

You can price the parts at this web site by clicking on "Buy Parts".

Pads,
Rotors
Wheel Bearings
Grease Seals

But if you get on it quickly, you may be able to avoid a rotor replacement.

Good Luck,
Ken300D

pawoSD · #5 04-10-2006, 01:50 PM

The front brakes on these cars (at leas the W123 and W126 etc... not sure about the 201) require the removal of the entire wheel hub, bearings, and such, means you need to put in new seals, repack the bearings with grease, and then reattach the wheel hub to the brake rotor. Not a very fun or easy job. If you know what your doing than its not too hard though....people who've never done brake would would not be in for a pleasant experience...

Edit: Like Ken300D said above

#6 04-10-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

The front brakes on these cars (at leas the W123 and W126 etc... not sure about the 201) require the removal of the entire wheel hub, bearings, and such, means you need to put in new seals, repack the bearings with grease, and then reattach the wheel hub to the brake rotor. Not a very fun or easy job. If you know what your doing than its not too hard though....people who've never done brake would would not be in for a pleasant experience...

Edit: Like Ken300D said above

You're talking about doing the front rotors, doing just the pads is easy.

pawoSD · #7 04-10-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

You're talking about doing the front rotors, doing just the pads is easy.

I agree pads are very easy, but generally the rotors only seem to last on these cars through 1-2 sets of pads, so it may need the rotors too....

veggie190 · #8 04-11-2006, 01:28 PM

You guys were right, the indicator on the brake pad wasn't even hooked up. It needed new pads. I put new ones on both sides that I picked up at Autozone.

Thanks very much for the help!

P.E.Haiges · #9 04-11-2006, 01:52 PM

Veggie,

You wore the friction material away and had metal to metal contact. This usually destroys the rotor by putting a rough surface on it that will wear the new pad rapidly. Did U check the rotor for wear? U might have to remove the caliper to see the rotor.

Possibly the rotor could be resurfaced if it isn't worn beyond the minimum thickness limits. If not, a new rotor is needed.

I don't understand the comments about replacing the bearings and seals. I don't understand how they would be damaged by replacing the rotor on the hub. I also don't agree with replacing all the pads if some are not worn bad. I replace them one at a time and never had a problem.

P E H

Ken300D · #10 04-11-2006, 02:38 PM

Well, that's true - you would not necessarily have to replace the bearings and grease seal. At his 220k mileage accumulation, the idea for doing that might be to go ahead and take care of it during a convenient maintenance event. That is, do it all at once.

Even if you take the approach of maximum usage of components, I'd go ahead and replace the grease seal because they do wear with usage and lose the ability to seal.

Something of a judgement call.....

Ken300D