1997 E320 (W210) Font Brake Pads Replacement Help

[loubapache]

Hi,

I have read the article in the DIY section about E class brake pads replacement. I have also successfully replaced both the front and rear brake pads in several W124 cars.

I took off the wire spring and removed the two 7 mm Allen bolts. Then I got stumped. There does not seem to be a place I can push the piston back. Also does the caliper have to be removed? It seems that once the two Allen bolts are removed, the caliper should come off but it would not move a bit.

On the W124, I only remove one bolt then the caliper just rotate out of the way for the pad to be removed. this one seems to be totally different.

Any help is appreciated.

[Ali Al-Chalabi]

If you pulled both slides out then the caliper should come out. The inner pad has a clip that goes into the piston, so the piston must be pushed back far enough for the pad to clear the lip on the rotor before you can remove the caliper.

[loubapache]

Thank you , Ali.

You mean I just use a lot of force to pull the caliper with the pads from the disk? I tried but it won't move. It seems the caliper holder has some notches to hold the pads. Really confused. I have used a C clamp to do the W124 before. However, it does not seemd to be able to push on the W210.

Do you have to push the piston back in order to remove the caliper? The site below said the caliper with the pads will come off once the two allen bolts are removed. He then talked about pushing the piston back after the removal of the caliper.

http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl975a.htm

I just put the wheel back on becasue it is getting dark. I will try again during daylight.

[Ali Al-Chalabi]

The inner pad has a clip that secures it to inside of the piston. Push the caliper piston back into its bore enough to allow the pad to clear the lip on the rotor and allow the caliper to pull out. With this done, the spring removed and both caliper slides removed, the caliper will come out. Yes, both slides need to be removed and the caliper must come out for the pads to be removed.

You must first gain some clearance from the piston before the caliper will easily pull off. There is nothing else securing it in place other than the spring clip and the slides. Once those are out, it is just a matter of working it out.

[loubapache]

Thanks, Ali, again for the help.

I'll try some other day.

[ssocki]

Just tap it a little with a small hammer, or pry it out with flat head screwdriver.