ATE brakes more painful than Bendix?
 

Previously, I have replaced the front brake pads on my 1985 300TD (wagon) with ease. It has Bendix calipers on just the front. The repalcement pads were VXE.

Last night I replaced the rear brake pads. What a pain... They were ATE calipers and ATE brake pads. The new pads (VXE brand) refused to easily slide in. The calipers were pushed back all the way. The problem appeared to be that the upper and lower edges (and back) of the medal plate had a black coating on them and made the over all length slightly longer than the original pads being replaced. Once I removed this coating on the ends of the plate the pads slid in easier (but not easily).

Of course the front and rear brake pads are different.

So is this issue because of a difference of the caliper manufactors or due to a usual difference in front vs. rear replacement ease or the brake pad brand (VXE)?

Thanks

there will be some build up of rust and so forth on any caliper. i usually have to take a little metal off the sides of my new pads so they will slide in easily. technically perhaps one should clean the caliper but the pads are a lot easier. i have a grinder in my garage and a few minutes on each edge and they will slide in just fine.

no difference between ate and bendix in this matter.

good luck

tom w

Most calipers have accumulated a good bit of rust and debris where the pads ride. This should be thoroughly cleaned with a wire brush. The debris and rust needs to be removed to allow the pads to install, however, of greater importance, is that the pads are allowed to slide on this surface. As the pads wear, the pad must move toward the rotor and any rust/dirt/debris will impede the progress of the pad.

I clean the cast iron surfaces of the caliper thoroughly and then add a touch of grease to those surfaces to stop the rust for awhile. The pads always slide right in.

Avoids the need to get your grinder out and go ballistic on the pad edges.;)

I always ease the edges on the grinder. It seems to help them not squeel, just one of those things I do:o

My belief is that any squeal is caused by a vibration of the pad against the piston face. I use the "anti-squeal" spray on the backs of the pads to prevent this vibration. So far........so good.;)

Aftermarket parts need to be engineered to fit the original equipment. Not the other way around.

Yah, that "easing the edges" might be a "old wives's tail". I also use the orange anti squeak stuff.

I like ate more.


comes with a better spring plate.

Me too

Ive dealt with both caliper designs and the only differences I remember were the retaining clips and the retaining pins. Neither was any harder or easier to change pads out.

I believe the same, i changed out the front pads of the S420. Used mintex pads, the olds pads i took out where textar and they make alot of dust! The mintex dont seem to make to much dust.

But i did sand the edges of the mintex pads to get them in. The caliper surprisingly wasnt rusty but i used brake cleaner to clean the caliper and rotor. I used MB brake paste on the back of the new pads.

The rear squeeled very loudly so i pulled them (pads looked almost new) and put the MB brake paste on the back of the pads....wha la! no more squeeling.

i prefer ate too.

tom w