Brakes

[bruin420]

So, my 06 CLS55 has almost 50K miles and my brakes have that annoying squeak that so many talk about. The pads look like they have plenty of life on them, but my wife refuses to drive the car until the brakes are fixed...and it is pretty embarrassing sounding like an 18wheeler in a parking lot. My question is, has anybody remedied the problem in any way? New benz pads? Aftermarket ceramic pads? I am really leaning towards just getting some low dusting ceramic pads as my wheels get dirty in a day... Any ideas or opinions requested!!! Thanks guys

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[ocpun]

i've never heard about this problem before.. is it a common problem for the cls 55 amg?

[griza]

Have you tried to re-bed the brakes? Typically you bed brakes in when they are new to mate the pads to the rotors. After so many miles you may have accumulated deposits on the rotors from the pads causing the squeeking/squeeling. To bed the brakes, find a nice long stretch of open road and do at least 5 60-10 mph hard braking stops. After you do that be able to drive around for a few minutes without touching the brakes to let them cool off. See if this re-bedding process solves the issue.

[azncarjunkie]

i have the same thing right but haven't had it checked out either. i even took it to the track where i did numerous 120-30 mph stops , which didn't clear the brakes.

just been too lazy to have them checked out at which point i'll probably end up with new pads anyway. 20k on my 06' 55.

edit: when i mean track, i mean road race..not drag...the brakes had their work cut out for them to where the 'warning brakes overheated' display kept coming up. haha

[bruin420]

I ended up ordering a set of the akebono ceramics for the front and will put them on next week. Will post and let you guys know how they turn out...at least I'll get rid of the brake dust problem.

[jandak]

Mine has 30k miles, and on occasions the front pads do squeak which becomes quite irritating. Since my car is still covered under factory warranty, I complained about the issue to the dealer. As a result my front pads were "deglazed" which took care of the problem for a couple days. I'm thinking of getting aftermarket pads, just not sure which ones to choose. If any of you have used aftermarket pads for a while with factory rotors, could you share your experiences? Thanks

[bruin420]

So I got my Akebono front pads and had them installed today by MR MB Motors in Tarzana...great job and only charged me .7 hour labor on it ($65). He said my rotors looked almost new, so I anticipate they did a brake job prior to me purchasing it CPO last October with 41k miles on it. He used the mercedes oem brake paste. So far so good but only driven it 25 miles. Taking it to Vegas on Sunday so I'll get a taste for how the brakes feel as well as the hopeful lack of dust and noise. All in all cost me $160 for the Akebono pads and $65 for labor..pretty good compared to dealer.

[m_berman]

Originally Posted by bruin420

So I got my Akebono front pads and had them installed today by MR MB Motors in Tarzana...great job and only charged me .7 hour labor on it ($65). He said my rotors looked almost new, so I anticipate they did a brake job prior to me purchasing it CPO last October with 41k miles on it. He used the mercedes oem brake paste. So far so good but only driven it 25 miles. Taking it to Vegas on Sunday so I'll get a taste for how the brakes feel as well as the hopeful lack of dust and noise. All in all cost me $160 for the Akebono pads and $65 for labor..pretty good compared to dealer.

I'd me concern relying on a brake job for the cls fronts that costs $160. No one likes to pay the high cost at the MB Dealer. But, they do what it takes to keep the CLS's hi performance brake system in peak condition.

Besides just swapping out the front pads, you really need to exchange the brake fluid every two years due to moisture contaminating the fluid. In addition, do the brake sensors still work with the Akebonos? CLS owners have reported having problems making the brake sensors work with non oem pads. Make sure they are not disconnected.

[azncarjunkie]

what brake sensors are there? i know there's one for when it gets too hot...but are there others?

[griza]

Originally Posted by azncarjunkie

what brake sensors are there? i know there's one for when it gets too hot...but are there others?

Low pad warning

[bruin420]

They replaced the sensors with OEM front sensors and they are still connected. The owner of MR MB Motors was the lead service tech at MB Bev Hills then the Service Manager at Steigler in Encino for 7 years so he really knows what he is doing, probably better than most of the dealership service personnel. He has been repairing Benz for over 20 years and is one of if not THE best independent shop around the west coast.

Regarding the akebono pads being so cheap, that's how I looked at it. It was a low cost gamble for me with high reward being getting rid of the squealing as well as brake dust. If they end up not being reliable, then I will just go and do a dealer brake job, but from several threads on the E class AMG board, many have used akebono or EBC and they have been as reliable as OEM but with the benefit of very little dust. I will keep you all updated and if they do work out I will be switching the rear pads to get rid of the dusting as well.

[Oliverk]

My stockers were squealing, and so do the akebonos. Really annoying and not sure why.

[m_berman]

Originally Posted by bruin420

They replaced the sensors with OEM front sensors and they are still connected. The owner of MR MB Motors was the lead service tech at MB Bev Hills then the Service Manager at Steigler in Encino for 7 years so he really knows what he is doing, probably better than most of the dealership service personnel. He has been repairing Benz for over 20 years and is one of if not THE best independent shop around the west coast.

Regarding the akebono pads being so cheap, that's how I looked at it. It was a low cost gamble for me with high reward being getting rid of the squealing as well as brake dust. If they end up not being reliable, then I will just go and do a dealer brake job, but from several threads on the E class AMG board, many have used akebono or EBC and they have been as reliable as OEM but with the benefit of very little dust. I will keep you all updated and if they do work out I will be switching the rear pads to get rid of the dusting as well.

The pads are a good choice. I was concerned that the repair shop was some grease monkey scam garage. It sounds like he his top rated with his credentials. I may just go over there and check him out for myself. I will need brakes soon as well as some preventative maintenance.

[UDWANIT2]

Im due for brakes and am in the market for Brembo Big Brake Kit.... has any one installed a 8 Piston front and 4 piston rear on the CLS 500...........and how do u go about the sensor......

[bruin420]

Originally Posted by Oliverk

My stockers were squealing, and so do the akebonos. Really annoying and not sure why.

How long after your brake job did the Akebono's start squealing? Knock on wood it is all clear after my drive to Vegas....damn 100k car with brakes that sounded like a semi.

Did you try to change rotors or only pads?

MBerman...the shop is located on Reseda across the street from Gelsons between Burbank and Ventura....shop owner name is Enrique. Very fair on all repairs especially maintenance...check him out.

[JustPete]

The squeal is the cost of high performance brakes that don't produce clouds of dust.

Ceramic brake pads should cure the issue, but you have to make sure the rotors have been resurfaced and the brake pads are properly bedded. Otherwise they're going to squeal as the brake pad vibrates ... even brand new pads will squeal if the jobs not done right.