Brake judder problem

Jimbo1959

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After much faffing about trying to cure the problem, diagnostics and saving like mad, I've now managed to get the money together to replace the complete front brake system on my Coupé.

The general consensus being that the front calipers are jamming on, heating up the discs which is causing them to warp. If I drove like my Grandpa I'd never even be aware of the problem, as soon as one is "making progress" however, problems, problems.

When I asked for opinions on the forum regarding my judder problem, it was recommended that I buy only O.E. parts for the car. Working in the motortrade in the parts side of things, this galled me purely for the reason that MB outsource their parts like every other manufacturer and, usually want three times the price for the same parts if purchased from them.

The parts advisor Neil at MB Grangemouth, has been extremely helpful and gave me the discounted MBO club price however, this was still close to £1K, a significant amount of money in anyones book.

I was talking to one of the parts advisors at work about this and with his help we have managed to track down the O.E. parts that I need. So, for both front calipers, two front discs, a set of front brake pads with sensors and two front flexihoses I will now be saving £460 on the parts alone.

It was my intention to change all the parts and complete the job myself, however, due to the age of the car (it's now ten years old) I've decided to get help to do it. Reason being, I have a friend at one of my customers garages who, has a brake pipe flaring tool kit which I may need (knowing my luck, despite meticulous preparation, cleaning pipe ends and covering all nuts and bolts with WD40), one or more of the pipes will probably break, the old saying, "fore warned is fore armed", comes to mind. My hope being I will not need the kit if I have it. So, next Saturday the deed will be done.

Cars! Don'tcha just love 'em?

I'll update with the details of problem solved or not.
 
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joderest

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I had a brake judder issue on my w163, but from the rear, and it did the same, warped a new disc. I took off callipers and re built them using new rubbers and seals, new disc's (2nd set) and pads, been fine since.
Here;s a tip, i was also worried about releasing the brake pipe unions to caliper, as they looked like they would be seized, and as you cannot use heat (brake fluid does not like heat !!!), i thought i was going to have to replace pipes, but i bought a product that no only is a releasing fluid but is a freeze agent, takes temp down to about -15. It worked really well, i had no issues getting pipes undone.
I cannot remember what it was called but found it on e bay.
Freeze releasing fluid, have a look, may help you.
 

Wighty

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I had a brake judder issue on my w163, but from the rear, and it did the same, warped a new disc. I took off callipers and re built them using new rubbers and seals, new disc's (2nd set) and pads, been fine since.
Here;s a tip, i was also worried about releasing the brake pipe unions to caliper, as they looked like they would be seized, and as you cannot use heat (brake fluid does not like heat !!!), i thought i was going to have to replace pipes, but i bought a product that no only is a releasing fluid but is a freeze agent, takes temp down to about -15. It worked really well, i had no issues getting pipes undone.
I cannot remember what it was called but found it on e bay.
Freeze releasing fluid, have a look, may help you.
And I followed your brave example by refurbing my CLK calipers myself . I didn't have any trouble with my pipe to caliper Union , even on a 10 year old car they came off easily .
The only trouble I had was getting new bleed nipples to work properly , I had to work each one in and out 10-20 times using red rubber grease on the threads and cleaning on each removal to get rid of any rust and dirt in the caliper hole for the bleed nipple
 

joderest

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wighty, yep , same as, forgot all about that, my nipples (sounds a bit gross !!!) were very rusty and rounded off.
 

malcolm E53 AMG

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wighty, yep , same as, forgot all about that, my nipples (sounds a bit gross !!!) were very rusty and rounded off.

‘In the old days’ we used to use washing up liquid bottle top stoppers (or similar) on the nipples to stop ingress of water/salt/grime pity the manufacturers didn’t adopt the same
 

Wighty

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‘In the old days’ we used to use washing up liquid bottle top stoppers (or similar) on the nipples to stop ingress of water/salt/grime pity the manufacturers didn’t adopt the same
The new ones came with rubber caps for the ends , and I put a good dollop of red rubber grease on the threads to keep them rust free
 
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Jimbo1959

Jimbo1959

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Really looking forward to tomorrow, starting work on the front brakes, with a little luck and no untoward issues should be back on the road about tea time. Can't wait!
 

joderest

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have fun, dont forget copperease or some other assembly compound (just in case you have to take it all apart again)
 
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Jimbo1959

Jimbo1959

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have fun, dont forget copperease or some other assembly compound (just in case you have to take it all apart again)

You are talking to an OCD reveller, it will be done properly, I have no doubt. No chances will be taken, no perfection forsaken.
I will try to remember to take photos as we go. Depends how dirty my hands get. Don't want to kill my camera phone.
 
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Jimbo1959

Jimbo1959

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Job done, no problems or issues with the work and, it was flown through so quickly that, I forgot all about taking pictures. :oops:

There was defo a problem with both calipers though, as the pad which locks into the piston, on both sides was worn at an angle, suggesting that the pad and/or the piston were seiz(ed/)ing in the caliper. The right side being worse than the left.

This would explain the judder at higher speeds and during harder braking.

During "old man driving style" when the brakes only needed a gentle pressure to slow down, no judder could be felt.

I will update the performance of the brakes as soon as they are properly bed in, first indications feel good though, the whole driving/braking experience definitely feels smoother, a good sign I think.

Time now to give the car a good wash and scrub up.

Lord, I nearly wrote "give her a good wash and scrub up" there, that would have gained some salty comments, lol. :D:D:D
 

vtaylor78

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Great work Jimbo , don’t forget SWMBO’s car if you’ve got your bucket out :D.
 
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Jimbo1959

Jimbo1959

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IMG_3967.JPG IMG_3965.JPG

Looks as though I'm going to have to take the calipers off again so that I can paint them. After washing the alloys and getting the oily finger prints off the brakes it has highlighted the difference in colour, bu99er!!

Nothing ever goes smoothly does it?

Can you see the copper grease alright joderest? :D
 
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Jimbo1959

Jimbo1959

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Great work Jimbo , don’t forget SWMBO’s car if you’ve got your bucket out :D.

It can wait Vincente, tomorrow's another day sir! ;)
 

John Laidlaw

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View attachment 53173 View attachment 53174

Looks as though I'm going to have to take the calipers off again so that I can paint them. After washing the alloys and getting the oily finger prints off the brakes it has highlighted the difference in colour, bu99er!!

Nothing ever goes smoothly does it?

Can you see the copper grease alright joderest? :D
Can we see the copper grease? My lord sir.. :p
 
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Jimbo1959

Jimbo1959

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