[isthenew]

Hello All,

This regards my 1989 300SE with 236k miles. A few months back I painted my wheels. In the time since then, I have built up brake dust. But it’s not evenly distributed.

My right rear has almost none. The right front has a bit, where I’d pay special attention when cleaning the car. But my left rear has substantially more. And my left front, it’s almost black around the center cap.

I did some research and thought maybe the left calipers are sticking. And reading, I found suggestions to lubricate the pins for the brake pads. That those may cause the pads to stick a little.

I watched a couple videos on pad replacement to see where to specifically lubricate the pins, and I’m not excited by this idea. I’m concerned that the pins may become loose. But I could see where maybe lubricating right at the pad may be effective.

I then went and read a couple write-ups here. People suggested simply sanding the pin to remove rust build up.

I flushed my brake fluid a year again. I removed all 4 of these calipers, as well. They all look good, and my pads and rotors are good. I’d like to not simply replace everything.

So... are those the right pins where the pads can get hung up? Is removing rust viable? And what about lubricant? (I have BMW brake pad anti-squeal). Or other suggestions?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[isthenew]

My bad. I didn’t realize there are cotter pins holding the brake pins in place.

I’m gonna sand/clean and lubricate the brake pins.

 

[isthenew]

Seems my memory serves. There are no cotter pins on my car.

Outer pic

From the rear

Inner pic

The pins that hold the brake pads are flush on the inside of the caliper and do not reach the outside.

The wheel does spin freely, but I do hear it.

Ideas? Suggestions?

 

[81300SD]

The pins that hold the clip and go thru the ears on the brake pads come out by using a small punch and they seat with some light taps via friction. I would not use lubrication as it attracts dirt and brake dust and you will have a bigger problem. Have you replaced your flexible brake lines with that mileage?

The rubber brake hoses tend to deteriorate from the inside and although you flush the brake fluid it is a good idea to replace them at the mileage you stated.

 

[isthenew]

I appreciate the advice. I’ll definitely look into replacing those lines.

I took the car on the interstate. It seems ok. The rear wheels were warmer than the front, but they matched front to front, back to back.

I have no pull whatsoever. So, I’ll ride it out and replace everything when my first brake pad goes.

Thanks

 

[MBL87560SEC]

Hey there,

Elderly former European mechanic / tech. here

It ‘ain’t’ those pins causing your issue.

The caliper pistons can be sticking OR the pads can stick in the calipers.. Think upper & lower pad backing plates within the caliper bodies: [at each upper/lower edge of the pad].

M

 

[isthenew]

Hey there,

Elderly former European mechanic / tech. here

It ‘ain’t’ those pins causing your issue.

The caliper pistons can be sticking OR the pads can stick in the calipers.. Think upper & lower pad backing plates within the caliper bodies: [at each upper/lower edge of the pad].

M

Gotcha! I’ll hit those with some of the lubricant. Thanks!

 

[frankflynn]

I had a sticking caliper once, the wheel was not warm, it was HOT. It was obvious something was wrong (not while driving but when I stopped).

 

[Gogi]

All good advice above. As suggested I would definitely replace all the brake flexible hoses front and rear. You have nothing to lose replacing those. Good insurance.

 

[John350]

Apply the brakes as hard as you can, release, then jack each wheel up. If the wheel drags noticeably, it's sticking. If not it's either OK or so stuck the brake isn't applying at all. (The disk will be all rusty.)

Since it's not pulling, they're probably OK.

 

[tusabes]

If your brakes aren’t pulling to one side and the wheel isn’t hot you don’t have a problem

maybe where you park , something like wind or mist washes the dust off one side of the car . Where I park one side of the car gets more sun so that side stays clean while the other side is shaded and builds up dirt