W201, Odd Rotor Wear? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JamesDean · #1 10-20-2013, 01:23 AM

I was doing some work on my 190E today, swapping out a set of rebuilt E420 calipers for factory original E420 calipers and pulled my front rotors to find this wear:

The fronts look OK mostly, but the rear have a groove in them? I dont know what from. These rotors have only ever seen two sets of pads...brand new akebono pads and a set of slightly used Textars... (long story short I didnt quite like the akebono's performance so I swapped out for an older textar set that was clean and had >90% life left.

The 190 does not get driven much at all, could that have anything to do with this? How does one keep rotors and brake pads from going south if the car is not driven much? I know many people on here dont drive one of more of their fleet that often..

lsmalley · #2 10-20-2013, 02:34 AM

Was there an irregularity on the pad somewhere? I use standard duralast pads from autozone, semi metallic, before that I had Ate ceramic. The duralast seem to be doing ok. I would surface rotors, swap out pads, and check the calipers to make sure the piston isn't sticking. The E420 calipers have dual pistons correct? Also check the pins and boots that the bolts go into on the caliper, make sure they are not sticking.

Gilly · #3 10-20-2013, 07:51 AM

Driving it might make those rotors look better, more shiny anyways, looks like they rusted up, then driven a short distance and then pulled off the car. The grooves, it's hard to tell, since they are E420 rotors on a 190 I assume it is driven hard when it is driven, might have an effect, but more likely is just damage from the rust itself, outside chance it is from dirt, rocks, grit I suppose, but probably just from rust.
No idea how to keep them from rusting that isn't a PITA, like pulling them off and storing them someplace dry, or storing the whole car someplace dry, or pulling them and putting a protectant on them, like a paint or oil, something to keep air and moisture from the surface.

oldsinner111 · #4 10-20-2013, 07:53 AM

x2 rocks

David Wilson · #5 10-20-2013, 11:06 AM

I'll bet those rotors are noisy. looks like some foreign material got lodged in there and ground out a groove. Maybe those slots helped it happen.
I don't see why you couldn't just skim the rotor and reuse it.
If the pads are not terrible reuse them as well.
I don't think you can prevent surface rust on bare steel. Against the laws of nature. Just take it around the block every once and awhile with your foot dragging on the brakes.

Good luck

lsmalley · #6 10-20-2013, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

No idea how to keep them from rusting that isn't a PITA, like pulling them off and storing them someplace dry, or storing the whole car someplace dry, or pulling them and putting a protectant on them, like a paint or oil, something to keep air and moisture from the surface.

Probably not the best idea to put oil on them. Easier to just drive it every week or so.

97 SL320 · #7 10-20-2013, 04:21 PM

Match the pad to the rotor and look for the source of the groove. Sometimes brake pad material has a hard spot in the mix and will cause the groove. You can file , sand the pad high spot down to get rid of the hard spot but the pad will again conform to the rotor surface.

As for the slight front face rust, keeping the car in a dry area and / or driving more often is the only cure.

lsmalley · #8 10-20-2013, 10:30 PM

Nice rims by the way!

JamesDean · #9 10-20-2013, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsmalley

Nice rims by the way!

Thanks! I like the look of them. They do rub if I have more than just myself in the car.. So I might end up doing some fender spacing ..(like here, DIY-Easy Budget Friendly Fender spacer kit - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum)

Here are a few pics: