brand of brake pads - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ned2683 · #1 04-04-2003, 01:06 AM

it is time to overhaul my brakes. now i don't really know what brand or kind to chose from and was hoping for some advice here.
i basically want a pad that is hard and would last me a long time. and not a whole bunch of brake dust. if i remember correctly the OEM type was soft and had a lot of dust. so what brand should i be looking at. also for the rotors would i gain anything from getting slotted ones? or shoudl i just go with the cheapest one? thanks for any advices

#2 04-04-2003, 07:40 AM

When I bought my 300d it had some aftermarket hard as nails pads. They didn't make much dust but they also didn't stop the car when it was raining or when they got hot in heavy traffic. I replaced with Pagid and while they throw off all kinds of dust they stop the car on a dime.

Aaron · #3 04-04-2003, 09:21 AM

I would only recommend Textar, Jurid, or Ate. All OE manufacturers.

ck42 · #4 04-04-2003, 10:53 AM

Ned....if you're interested in reducing brake dust specifically while not sacrificing braking performance of the OE pads, then take a look at the PBR Deluxe pads.

I recently installed these on the fronts and the dust-on-wheel reduction is excellent.

As far as I can tell, braking has not suffered either....including in the rain.

As soon as my rear pads need changing, I'll be putting the PBRs on the rears as well.

No idea on life expectancy tho since I haven't even gone thru my first set yet.

wagonboy · #5 04-04-2003, 11:34 AM

Where can we get the PBR pads? Here in Fastlane? TIA.

The Warden · #6 04-04-2003, 11:36 AM

I replaced my unknown brand pads with ATE's...I didn't notice any real difference in braking; the car still brakes well (I also downshift the tranny to slow down, so I don't put too much pressure on the brakes to begin with). My only complaint is that now I'm getting a loud squeal from the rear. My guess is that the rear pads haven't broken themselves in yet...maybe, after everytying dries up more, I should do a few panic stops...

rickg · #7 04-04-2003, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Warden
I replaced my unknown brand pads with ATE's. My only complaint is that now I'm getting a loud squeal from the rear.

I think it was ATE's I put on the rear a few months ago. They squeeled like crazy, so I took 'em backoff and sprayed that brake-pad-anti-squeel stuff on em. Now they're quiet, except when I'm backing up. Then one of them will still complains a bit, but it's not near as bad.

The Warden · #8 04-04-2003, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rickg
I think it was ATE's I put on the rear a few months ago. They squeeled like crazy, so I took 'em backoff and sprayed that brake-pad-anti-squeel stuff on em. Now they're quiet, except when I'm backing up. Then one of them will still complains a bit, but it's not near as bad.

Good idea!

Unfortunately, I sprayed the anti-squeal stuff on before installing the pads. Maybe I could put some more on, though...? I might not have been liberal enough...

Heck, I need to rotate the tires anyways.

I also need to get the left rear wheel off the ground to find that clunk...I was gonna do it today, but it looks like it's going to rain and I don't have a garage.

rdanz · #9 04-04-2003, 12:15 PM

MB's are designed to use soft pads hence the dust. Hard pads will cut down on the dust but eat up your rotors. So its a trade off
cleaning wheels more often or buying new rotors.
I prefer to clean the wheels and I believe the softer pads have more stoping power.

rwthomas1 · #10 04-04-2003, 12:19 PM

I just put in a set of Mintex pads and they are much better than whatever was in there. Brake dust appears about the same. RT

ned2683 · #11 04-04-2003, 01:12 PM

cool, i'll stick with the normal kind (soft). and another question. i was gonna replace my transmission fluid and as i ask the guy at o'reilleys his computer came back with "use only MB approve ATF". i was just wondering what kind of ATF should i use. (ATF+3, mercon III, etc etc.) thanks for the replies

rickg · #12 04-04-2003, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ned2683
cool, i'll stick with the normal kind (soft). and another question. i was gonna replace my transmission fluid and as i ask the guy at o'reilleys his computer came back with "use only MB approve ATF". i was just wondering what kind of ATF should i use. (ATF+3, mercon III, etc etc.) thanks for the replies

I've been gonna ask this question too

stephenson · #13 04-04-2003, 02:20 PM

Mobil 1 (synthetic) ATF seems to work well on mine over the years.

Aaron · #14 04-04-2003, 03:28 PM

THE CAUSE OF BRAKE SQUEAL IS VIBRATION BETWEEN THE PAD BACKING AND THE CALIPER PISTON. THE CURE FOR IT IS COPPER ANTI-SEIZE PASTE. THE PADS DON'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. THIS SUBJECT HAS BEEN RESEARCHED LONG AND HARD. TRUST ME. Sorry for the caps, but it had to be done

rickg · #15 04-04-2003, 03:32 PM

Kool! Thanks for the info.

The spray-on stuff seemed kinda thin to do much good, but it did help some.