Brakes and Hard top for 560sl - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

fpilot · #1 04-17-2006, 03:32 PM

Hi there. Me again, Ms. Newbie to MB and to this site.

1) Brakes have been squeaking bad on my 3 month old 1986 560sl. Last time brakes were done and it was a major job, calipers and all done was 15k miles ago. It is at a shop now and they say lube it is all it needs. They want $250 to do that on all 4 wheels...is this reasonable and is this normal? I asked if the pads needed replaced and was told no. When do they normally need to be replaced if driving every day in city traffic to and from work?

2) Since I was having a hard time on removing the hard top and it was going to the shop, I thought I would ask them. It would not release in the back. Just about had that top off but it would not come off. I kept playing with the levers to see if it would release. The large lever definitely was working since I heard the release and saw as well as felt it. I really did not notice the smaller lever doing anything in any position. The shop said I needed to replace the clip. Is this normal and what is it exactly? I know when I got the car 3 months ago, the previous owner replaced it. I am at a different shop so figured I would take it back to them on that.

Thank you all for your help!

Ms. Newbie

kitchenrat · #2 04-17-2006, 05:20 PM

something wrong here. either someone isnt communicating very well with you about some additional work your car needs, or they are about to take advantage of you. there is no lubrication work that will stop brake squeal. the problem will persist and is due to the composition of the brake pads. since introduction of new materials to replace asbestos in brake pads, squeal is just a way of life. if the brake repairs done to your car were properly carried out the squeal should be intermittent, probably influenced by wet or dry weather conditions. live with it. if it were my car i would get it out of that shop, post haste. when the brakes get excessively noisy, apply them lightly at speed to resurface them a bit, the squeal should be at least temporarily gone after doing this.

fpilot · #3 04-17-2006, 05:29 PM

Hmmmmm now you have me wondering. I have been told on here there is a brake paste to put on to help get rid of the squeal. I did ask this shop if it would stop the squeal and they assured me. I guess I will make sure before I pay. Also, thank you for the great advice on pulsing lightly on the brakes while driving some to resurface a bit. I will try that. Thank you. Yes sorry to say too but I feel I am getting a bit taken advantage of being a new owner and a woman.

Walrus · #4 04-17-2006, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fpilot

Hi there. Me again, Ms. Newbie to MB and to this site.

2) Since I was having a hard time on removing the hard top and it was going to the shop, I thought I would ask them. It would not release in the back. Just about had that top off but it would not come off. I kept playing with the levers to see if it would release. The large lever definitely was working since I heard the release and saw as well as felt it. I really did not notice the smaller lever doing anything in any position. The shop said I needed to replace the clip. Is this normal and what is it exactly? I know when I got the car 3 months ago, the previous owner replaced it. I am at a different shop so figured I would take it back to them on that.

Thank you all for your help!

Ms. Newbie

Probably the most frequestly asked question about the 107... How to get the top loose! In the center of the back edge of the top, there is a pin with a notch cut into it. The receptacle in the body has a hook that engages this notch. The big lever pulls the hook downward to seal the top against the body. The little lever pulls the hook toward the passenger side of the car, away from and disengaging the top pin. The usual cause for diffulculty is the cable has slipped (this is probably the clip your shop is referring to), thereby not moving the hook far enough out of the pin's notch to relese. Numerous methods have been discussed, but i prefer the "lock-picker" approach. Have two people lift a bit on the top, while a third takes a coat hanger (with a 90degree bend in it about 1 inch long) and fishes the hook by inserting the coathanger into the receptacle, pushing the hook toward the passenger side. If successful, the pin will come out of the body. Then you can examine and repair...

Good Luck.

Oh, and on the brakes... There is a paste that can be applied to the back side of the pads to help prevent brake squel. Mixed reports on how well it works, but I have had good luck with paste on other brands...

Good luck.

ctaylor738 · #5 04-17-2006, 08:03 PM

I believe that the book labor for pad replacement is an hour, which would run $85-$125 in most areas. The paste is maybe $5. So $250 is IMO over the top.

But it is not unusual for shops to jack up the labor if there are no parts involved to keep the yield up. The irony is that retail on new pads is about $125, so you are probably paying about the same for getting your pads pasted as you would for new ones.

halman2228 · #6 04-17-2006, 09:47 PM

Unless they included all new pads and PROMISED in WRITING to solve your brake squeal.... the paste ON THE BACK! can help but not always ( don't grease the front sides

)

As for the top, it has been addressed in the SL forum here (Walrus said it pretty well) as well as over at SL107[dot]com... another rip. What "clip" are they talking about? - I don't know of one involved in this situation (maybe the "clip" that holds/guides the cable around the inside of the soft top compartment?...nylon zip tie worked for me)

Find a new shop that will take care of YOU and your car.

$.02, invoice to follow...

Kevin

Roncallo · #7 04-17-2006, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fpilot

Hmmmmm now you have me wondering. I have been told on here there is a brake paste to put on to help get rid of the squeal. I did ask this shop if it would stop the squeal and they assured me. I guess I will make sure before I pay. Also, thank you for the great advice on pulsing lightly on the brakes while driving some to resurface a bit. I will try that. Thank you. Yes sorry to say too but I feel I am getting a bit taken advantage of being a new owner and a woman.

OK there is a such thing as ainti squeal brake past. It may actually even work for a month. But on a 560SL it takes less than 45min to iinstall. Whats the labor rate at this shop. My 560SL only squeals after I wash it. 2 or 3 light applies on the brake and its gone.

John Roncallo

fpilot · #8 04-18-2006, 08:22 AM

Thank you all for your advice and input! I have learned some great lessons. I will have to say the squealing is gone on the brakes and the brakes feel really good! I do think the price was way too high just for labor and the shop probably will not see me again. Live and learn. It did help my brake problem and was told if the squeal comes back in a few months to take it back and they will redo it for free. They would not guarantee it for a year and I did not get new brakes with it either. I kept asking but I guess if they wanted more $ out of me then they would have put on new pads.

Halman, your $0.02 really really means a lot. As well as Walrus, Roncallo, Chuck and kitchenrat. Thank you all again and I will try the coat hanger on the back hook for the top. I really am enjoying this site and my car!

Marla

rugby2 · #9 11-12-2008, 03:20 PM

how much should dealer charge for a brake job on a 560 sl? if getting it, seems that brake paste would be very cheap at that time? any ideas on Bremo or zimerman after market roters? seems less then mb oem? and I think may be better, from word of mouth I got. do you need same brand frt and rear? seems front more important? also do you need same brand pads?