I have changed many brake pads on my cars, but not yet on my SLK55. However, I have below summarized the procedure that I belive is applicable to the 55. I do not know if the other SLK models are similar.
If anyone has additional suggestions or comments, please post a reply. Here is a sketch of the right front caliper from the rear. The expanded view on the right shows the thickness of new pads -- you can gauge the amount of wear on your pads by comparing with this sketch.
SUGGESTED PROCEDURE:
Remove the cap of the brake fluid tank
Remove some fluid with a turkey baster if there is a risk of it overflowing when the calipers are spread
Spread the calipers carefully with a wide blade screwdriver
Tap out the 2 pins at the top and bottom of the pads
Remove the bolt in the center of the pad opening
Remove the strap spring piece between the pads
Install the new pads (probaby with a new wear sensor)
Reinstall the items in reverse order
Torque for the center bolt is 17 lb-ft (25-30 nt-m)
Hope this helps. I'll give it a try soon after a couple of more track days.
__________________
Gordon Haines
2005 SLK55 AMG (Orion Blue/Beige)
1997 BMW 740i
1974 Fiat X1/9 (Neon Green, Original Owner)
98indypacer - 7/29/2005 1:02 PM
What kind of pads are you going to use?
I'm going to use the stock pads. I've had no trouble with fade during heavy track use, they do not squeel, and actually, brake dust is minimal (partiularly compared to BMWs pads.)
Thanks for the post. I've been looking forward to it since you mentioned it a while back. Now about the stock pads... you think they'll be fine even on large road courses like road america with very long straights where the SLK can probably hit considerably higher speeds than on an average track? I ask because most of the folks at the last track event insisted that for road america, I'll need race pads regardless of the high performance brake design on the SLK55 even though I could get by on smaller tracks where speeds are a bit tamer.
you think they'll be fine even on large road courses like road america with very long straights where the SLK can probably hit considerably higher speeds than on an average track?
Hi, masmole. Well you certainly have a point but it may be worth trying the stock pads, particularly if you are not pushing too hard initally. Then changing to a racing compound later. The racing compounds may wear down the rotors a lot more.
The fortunate feature of a larger track is that there are long straights which allow time for the brakes to cool. I could make the case that short tracks with a lot of turns are harder on brakes because there is no time to allow the brakes to cool. My "home track" in Colorado was only 2.3 miles, but had a lot of turns and was very hard on brakes, particularly on front heavy cars.
We'll surely look forward to your post. When will you be able to get on track?
BTW -- you may have seen in an ealier post of mine that I had the thrill of spinning a Spec Racer/Renault in the Kink at Road America and contacting the wall during practice for an SCCA race. Fortunately, it was a glancing blow followed by sliding along the wall down the back straight resulting in minimal damage to me and the car. There must have been liquid on the track 'cause the next car through was not as lucky.
Thanks for the input! I won't be going to road america until late september so I'm sticking with the stock pads for next few track events which are on smaller tracks (gingerman & blackhawk farms). I may even take your advice and stick it out with the stock pads at road america and if anything, just dial it back a few notches on the straights. Armed with some ideas on how to change them (thanks to your post), I do plan on bringing a backup set of race pads if I can source the proper fitment somewhere. I'm assuming this shouldn't be a problem since they're basically off-the-shelf brembo calipers and replacement pads shouldn't be an issue.
And yes I remember reading your post about the spin at road america's kink. That's pretty scary. Road america is a blast but is definitely one of those tracks that intimidate me a bit. Being on a much faster car than I've driven on it last certainly doesn't help things much but in this case fear is actually a good thing... it will keep my balls in check and prevent any daring tendencies to drive past the limits of my abilities. The last thing I want to do is put my $70K toy into a tire wall.
I'm working on a camera mount (not so easy since the SLK doesn't have headrest stems) so hopefully I can get some in-car footage of some laps to share with everyone here... and also so you all can trash my driving skills and how my line is different than kimi raikkonen's.[:D]
masmole - 8/1/2005 10:27 PM
I'm working on a camera mount (not so easy since the SLK doesn't have headrest stems)
For a simple mount of my digital camera with low resolution video, I attached the camera to a small tripod, folded in the legs together and then inserted the entire assembly into the hole between the back of the passenger seat and the center storage compartment.
I should have held in down with some bungee strap, perhaps, but this worked great -- it would remain in place as long as the shiny side of the car is up. [8D]
Hope you have a great time on-track where these cars are very much at home.
I've now replaced the pads twice using the above procedure and it seems OK as originally written. I now (Aug '07) have 28,000 miles and 2.5 years with the SLK and a lot of track time.
I've now replaced the pads twice using the above procedure and it seems OK as originally written. I now (Aug '07) have 28,000 miles and 2.5 years with the SLK and a lot of track time.
My way is much easier. I can do it with one hand. Mastercard ftw.
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2006 SLK 350
Iridium Silver/Ash with AMG Kit
Premium-Heating-Comfort-Entertainment-Lighting
Linear Mode
