Front Caliper Rubbing Wheel
 

I replaced my front brake pads on my '88 300TD, they went on no problem, however when I put the wheel back on it drew up tight against the caliper, the wheel won't move. It seems like the pad material is just to thick. Any help or advice would be appreciated. BTW I was "financially challenged" so the rotors did not get replaced this time around. I have also beveled the edges of the new pads to clear the lip on the rotor. Thanks in advance.

By some chance did you pull the spare out and rotate your tires? Here is what happened to me several months ago. Daughter drove the car to school, coming home hit a pot hole and blew the tire flat. I arrived and proceeded to change the tire. Bolted the spare on, didn't notice anything unusual. Went to drive away and the wheel would't move. Jacked it up, and found the wheel jambed tight to the caliper. Had to have the car flat towed. Never had the spare out since buying the car ('93 300E) and never suspected anything. Found out the wheel was for a 190E. varified by the part number. I now have the correct spare wheel. :D Dennis

No, it's the same wheel that was on there. Just to check things out I put the old pads in and the wheel spins just fine. Thanks for the reply.

By wheel, do you mean the rotor won't move? I ran into this the first time I did a Benz brake job. A good cleaning of the caliper pockets with a wire brush where the pads mount fixed the problem.

No, the rotor spins fine with the new pads, the wheel is binding.

I'm not sure how just changing brake pads can cause the caliper to bind the wheel. Are you sure you reassembled the caliper correctly?

Did you remove the old pads before putting the new ones on? Just kidding, but that's an odd problem. Maybe the new pads are too thick - for a different car? Post the manufacturer and part numbers!

The pads are Duralast (from AutoZone) # MKD 423. I double checked and that is the listed part number. As far as being put back together correctly, I only removed the lower slide pin bolt! Plus I've done the brakes on this car several times in the past with no problem. I guess that's what I get for trying to save a buck or two at AutoZone.

The caliper will not physically hold more than the specified pad max. thickness, is one significantly thicker than the other? Do you have the correct wheels? Did someone update to the '94 calipers?

did the new pads come w/ anti squeak plates that are thicker than the originals? i have seen a few times where the plates could not be used, but that was because the pads wouldn't fit in the caliper w/ the plates on em. never seen the caliper hit the wheel over it. i'd double check to make sure you got everything installed correctly. is it both sides or just one side? did you pump the brakes up before mounting the wheels?

Thanks for your help everyone. I've got the brakes working fine now. I actually ground the pads down a few mil's on a belt sander and got them to fit. I don't know what the real problem was, maybe the wheels are not original, maybe the pads were just to thick who knows but they are working great now. Next time for brakes I'll go all out with rotors, pads etc... Again, Thanks