W126 Front Caliper Types
 

According to the parts palaces there are two (possibly 3) front caliper types: Bendix and Girling/(also sometimes referred to as "ATE")...

If I'm replacing both my front calipers on the 1988 420SEL which ones do I buy? Presume they are both loaded calipers (w/pads included).

If I replace the entire caliper assembly does it even matter? Should the front barke lines be identical?

Thanks!

& Cheers!

As far as I am aware there are two official makes Bendix and ATE. But I'm sure there are some other brands out there too...

If you replace a caliper you need to have the same makes on the same axle - i.e. same on the front / same on the back because the caliper piston diameters are / might be different so you could get an uneven braking force - that will be unsafe.

The flexible hoses on a W123 are the same length for the front so I guess they'll be the same for a W126. The hard lines are going to be different however.

I have just bought ATE calipers for my W123 and they did not come with pads / retaining clips / wear indicators.

Buy some anti-squeak grease for the SIDES of the pads to stop any weird noises.

Check the condition of your rotor (disc brakes) before fitting your pads - if you are removing calipers - now is the time to change them.

Consdier checking your front wheel bearings whilst you are there - is the grease still good? Is the adjustment still OK?

You are meant to use new caliper bolts when fitting a caliper - apparently because MB doesn't trust anyone to use thread locker!

you could...

- Eyeball the caliper and see what markings are on it.
- Buy parts from a vendor that provides good customer service as opposed to an anonymous catalog.

It's not that your car could have one or the other, it's that the catalog you're buying from isn't accurate enough.

-CTH

It seems there were 3 different makes of calipers available for my 1990 300SE: ATE, Bendix and Girling. My originals were ATE all the way around, so that's what I replaced them with. It's easy to identify the ATE and Bendix calipers because they have their names embossed right in the outside center of the caliper. Sometimes the "te" in "Ate" is faded, but that large capital "A" is usually pretty discernable. You can check some out in the parts store here just to see what type you have.

REPLACING Calipers
 

I already have new front rotors and brake lines for this car, the '88 420SEL.

I already have a set of premium front pads.

I don't have the wheels off at this time but I know that the front left caliper is sticking, intermittantly, because the tire shop just checked it ("Wow! You're right: that caliper is very hot, almost burned me through my glove!") as my tires were being rotated and rebalanced just coming off a trip, yesterday. I noticed a little vibration when using the brakes: no pull to either side when applying, some vibration when released...

I'm not trying to REBUILD these calipers, in which case knowing which type they were would be vital: I'm just replacing them.

My question is whether it even really matters if I originally had Bendix or theGirling/ATE type calipers if I replace both across the front axle with a remanufactured (with "new OEM piston & mounting hardware" which I presume to mean "including new caliper mounting bolts") pair that match?

Thanks for the responses.

It does not. As long as you have the same brand on the same axle you are all set. I personally went from Bendix to ATE (or maybe the other way around? can't remember) on my w126 on my rear axle due to availability of the calipers. As others have said, the most important thing is having a matching pair per axle and you are good to go.

ate and bendix are interchangable.ate is cheaper and more easily obtainable----no brainer.

Adding link for OPs sake:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=275588&highlight=ATE+Bendix

All you need to know is the year, 1985 and earlier W126's used slightly different brakes than 1986 and later.

The type of the caliper doesn't matter; ATE, Bendix or whatnot.

Also don't forget to replace the rubber brake lines, very often they can fail internally and cause the caliper to stick. Good cheap preventive maintenance on a 20+ year old car.

Turned out to be ATE calipers, also turned out that the new rotors I thought were for the MB's were actually rears for the SVX!

Anyone familiar with RAYBESTOS Advanced Technology Rotors in this application? Guaranteed no be "no turning necessary" and at $85 per pair delivered they seemed to be a reasonable investment. I have used these on the front of the SVX and they worked perfectly with no squeal even with used pads (75% left) or pulling from the get-go.

New lines (rubber hoses, I guess is more accurate) already to go.

ReManufactured front Calipers w/OEM metal pistons were $56.79 ea + $15 core: no too bad IMHO... If the rest of the car lasts another 22 years and 175+K I'll be a happy camper!

Cheers!

If you use Mercedes Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) and enter your VIN it will indicate the correct parts for your car.

http://epc.startekinfo.com