[HITWTOM]

After reading various posts on this subject, I’m somewhat confused. Everyone seems to suggest the ceramic pads. My question is, can I install ceramic pads with stock original disks? Some say the original disks are vented? Is this all years or only certain years? Some say switch to SA disks, this I believe has to be ’99 or newer? Maybe semi-metallic pads are fine for my everyday driving except for more brake dust. Any comments appreciated.

 

[RedLiner]

Unless anyone know differently I believe ceramic brake pads can be used with all variants of our R129 models.

I fitted EBC Redstuff ceramic pads to standard R129 brake rotors and the results are quite staggering compared with stock pads. Brake dust is considerably reduced and I have noticed that they are wearing very well, I expected them to wear very quickly given my driving habits.

 

[drags1998]

Ceramic pads CAN be used with ALL rotors. If the rotors are in good shape, I would just replace the pads. If the rotors are not in good shape then replace the Pads& Rotors.

 

[RedLiner]

Ceramic pads CAN be used with ALL rotors. If the rotors are in good shape, I would just replace the pads. If the rotors are not in good shape then replace the Pads& Rotors.

Thanks Drags for clarifying that and the additional advice :thumbsup:

 

[Polpower]

I concur ,, I replaced my stock pads with ceramic . My rotors were not in bad shape and as with most standard brake jobs I had them turned (cleaned up) at my local auto parts store before re-installing them.

Hope this helps , Polpower

 

[elau]

Wait a minute.......I was told I have to replace both rotors and pads at the same time. Once by the stealer, and the other time a well-known Indie in this area. Are you guys saying you can replace the pads without the rotors? I am confused.

 

[chriswufgator]

Wait a minute.......I was told I have to replace both rotors and pads at the same time. Once by the stealer, and the other time a well-known Indie in this area. Are you guys saying you can replace the pads without the rotors? I am confused.

Lol...it is their job to sell parts, and most of them are pretty good at it...

 

[chriswufgator]

After reading various posts on this subject, I’m somewhat confused. Everyone seems to suggest the ceramic pads. My question is, can I install ceramic pads with stock original disks? Some say the original disks are vented? Is this all years or only certain years? Some say switch to SA disks, this I believe has to be ’99 or newer? Maybe semi-metallic pads are fine for my everyday driving except for more brake dust. Any comments appreciated.

Yeah, go with ceramics regardless of whether or not you change the rotors. They are just wonderful...braking performance is identical, but they are verrrrry gentle on the rotors, and they cut brake dust by about 99%...

As to the rotors, you can tell what kind of shape they are in by feeling the edges to find out how much "lip" is there. If it's more than just a millimeter or two, then definitely replace them at the same time. Once you already have the wheels and calipers off to change the pads anyway, it is very little additional labor to change the rotors as well at that point...so that is definitely the time to do it...

 

[roncallo]

Wait a minute.......I was told I have to replace both rotors and pads at the same time. Once by the stealer, and the other time a well-known Indie in this area. Are you guys saying you can replace the pads without the rotors? I am confused.

You really don't have to but I have found that since the introduction of semi metalic pads the rotors are generally worn to the limit buy the time the pads need to be replace. Since I do my own work and rotors are fairly inexpensive today I replace both.

 

[roncallo]

Yeah, go with ceramics regardless of whether or not you change the rotors. They are just wonderful...braking performance is identical, but they are verrrrry gentle on the rotors, and they cut brake dust by about 99%...

As to the rotors, you can tell what kind of shape they are in by feeling the edges to find out how much "lip" is there. If it's more than just a millimeter or two, then definitely replace them at the same time. Once you already have the wheels and calipers off to change the pads anyway, it is very little additional labor to change the rotors as well at that point...so that is definitely the time to do it...

Oh another thing since I replace my rotors and pads together I do not care about how well ceramics wear the rotors. I only wish I could get a set of ceramic pads for my 107's. I've herd ceramics are harder on the rotors than semi metalic. I woulden't know since I cant get them for my car. But I certainly would like a set since I hate dust.

 

[msbarsi]

After reading various posts on this subject, I’m somewhat confused. Everyone seems to suggest the ceramic pads. My question is, can I install ceramic pads with stock original disks? Some say the original disks are vented? Is this all years or only certain years? Some say switch to SA disks, this I believe has to be ’99 or newer? Maybe semi-metallic pads are fine for my everyday driving except for more brake dust. Any comments appreciated.

Hi HITWTOM, I've heard great things about the ceramic pads from many people on the forum so after everything I've read in time I would say go for it. You can freely install them on your stock rotors but since your car has the non Brembo system (the Brembo system was introduced after the last facelift and the calipers are painted in black) you will not be able to install the Silver Arrow drilled disks without a major redo of your braking system but since it costs a kidney I would avoid it. I think you can still find some drilled rotors of the right size for your car which are wonderful to get rid of the heat after heavy braking or spirited driving style (like mine) and in heavy rain because they dry muuuuuuuuch quicker than normal disks.

Hope this helps.

Cheers.

 

[chriswufgator]

Oh another thing since I replace my rotors and pads together I do not care about how well ceramics wear the rotors. I only wish I could get a set of ceramic pads for my 107's. I've herd ceramics are harder on the rotors than semi metalic. I woulden't know since I cant get them for my car. But I certainly would like a set since I hate dust.

Yeah, that whole "ceramics are bad for the rotors" thing is BS.

In fact, it's the exact reverse. As an example, I have had my new Silver-Arrow rotors and ceramic Akebono brake pads on for about 2 months now, and you can still see the markings from the factory lathe on all 4 rotors...THAT is how gentle the ceramic pads are on the rotors...

With metallic pads, the factory machining/polishing patterns left on the rotors by the manufacturer are usually gone in the first day or two...

 

[ahmorris]

If anyone has (or decides) to change their SL500 (non sport, non Brembo) stock rotors and pads to drilled and ceramics I'd like to know the source, part numbers and prices.

I've emailed a few people and have found some info but sometimes they say "got front" or "have pads" but not yet found anyone who I could order 4 new rotors and 4 new ceramic pads in one fell swoop.

Cheers

Alan

ps. I agree - for the cost / hassle factor it's easy to replace rotors with pads. I'd maybe not do every time I change the pads (my driving / country isn't too conducive to speeding too much) but perhaps every 2nd or 3rd change depending on the circumstance.

 

[aam]

If anyone has (or decides) to change their SL500 (non sport, non Brembo) stock rotors and pads to drilled and ceramics I'd like to know the source, part numbers and prices.

I've emailed a few people and have found some info but sometimes they say "got front" or "have pads" but not yet found anyone who I could order 4 new rotors and 4 new ceramic pads in one fell swoop.

Cheers

Alan

ps. I agree - for the cost / hassle factor it's easy to replace rotors with pads. I'd maybe not do every time I change the pads (my driving / country isn't too conducive to speeding too much) but perhaps every 2nd or 3rd change depending on the circumstance.

Alan
Two years ago.
I replaced the front with drilled rotors made by Zimmerman a good company.
The rear I still have the regulars they are still good and I don't throw things that are practically new.
Check the autodoctorparts.com
They have the front drilled rotors.$ 85
You may send them an email they can order the rear.
The pads I use is the pbr ceramic. $33 front $29 rear.
I am happy with them, low dust stop good.
I do also replace them every 2nd or 3rd depending on condition.

PS .
I don;t know if you are aware the rotors are not directional,
they are the same for both sides.

Regards.
aam.

 

[ahmorris]

...I don;t know if you are aware the rotors are not directional,
they are the same for both sides...

Thanks. I wasn't aware of that. But front and back are different aren't they? Reason I ask is that when I surf to look for places to buy they have separate parts for front and rear...though when I come to get my credit card out they say can't do entire order! Maybe I need to buy from several places which is a pain re shipping internationally.

Thanks for the websites - will check out. I'm not going to do it right yet. I'm going to get the parts then do in a few months. Since I'm keeping my SL forever I'm happy to spend more to change related parts at the same time so maybe change wheel bearings, repack, rotors, pads etc....I tend to upgrade systems one by one if anything goes on it eg. steering had an issue awhile back, hence replaced most of the steering durables eg. dampers, buses etc, so good for years to come.

Regards

Alan

 

[aam]

Thanks. I wasn't aware of that. But front and back are different aren't they? Reason I ask is that when I surf to look for places to buy they have separate parts for front and rear...though when I come to get my credit card out they say can't do entire order! Maybe I need to buy from several places which is a pain re shipping internationally.

Thanks for the websites - will check out. I'm not going to do it right yet. I'm going to get the parts then do in a few months. Since I'm keeping my SL forever I'm happy to spend more to change related parts at the same time so maybe change wheel bearings, repack, rotors, pads etc....I tend to upgrade systems one by one if anything goes on it eg. steering had an issue awhile back, hence replaced most of the steering durables eg. dampers, buses etc, so good for years to come.

Regards

Alan

What I mean directional rotors I am talking the front can go aether left or right
(not front to rear)
Front pads are not the same with rears. Same thing with the rotors.
I had no problem ordering and paying with credit card.
Not a bad idea on the bearings.
Regards.
aam.

 

[Chicky]

Thanks. I wasn't aware of that. But front and back are different aren't they? Reason I ask is that when I surf to look for places to buy they have separate parts for front and rear...though when I come to get my credit card out they say can't do entire order! Maybe I need to buy from several places which is a pain re shipping internationally.

Thanks for the websites - will check out. I'm not going to do it right yet. I'm going to get the parts then do in a few months. Since I'm keeping my SL forever I'm happy to spend more to change related parts at the same time so maybe change wheel bearings, repack, rotors, pads etc....I tend to upgrade systems one by one if anything goes on it eg. steering had an issue awhile back, hence replaced most of the steering durables eg. dampers, buses etc, so good for years to come.

Regards

Alan

Hi Alan,

No need to go far, I just got my new set of cross drilled Zimmerman front and rear discs, front wheel bearing kits, parking brake shoes from Valiant Auto Parts, Mongkok, HK. Look for Steve, and you can verify if he has for your model year. No sure if he carries the EBC Redstuff or Akebono's, please let me know if he does. I forgot to have my son ask if he carries them.

Hope this helps

 

[Chicky]

Hi Alan,

Here's the phone number: (852) 2789 9968 (6 lines)
Address: 93 Hak Po St., G/F, Mongkok, Kowloon

 

[ahmorris]

Hi Alan, No need to go far, I just got my new set of cross drilled Zimmerman front and rear discs, front wheel bearing kits, parking brake shoes from Valiant Auto Parts, Mongkok, HK. Look for Steve, and you can verify if he has for your model year. No sure if he carries the EBC Redstuff or Akebono's, please let me know if he does. I forgot to have my son ask if he carries them. Hope this helps

Chicky
Great advice and thanks for the address / contact. Mongkok is well known for it's Japanese car parts - great find for SL parts. Respect!

I'll definetly go and have a chat with Steve - the rotors were the trickest part for me given weight / shipping costs. Mind if I ask the cost? (feel free to PM me if you're not comfortable giving it out over the airwaves)

I found, and have been in touch, with the EBC dealer in Hong Kong (below) - he's 2 miles away from my new office location so I'm planning a face-to-face chat someday.

中国.香港总代理
DAVID AUTO
33 Wang Yip Street West
13G/F Yuen Long Trading Centre
Yuen Long, New Territories
Hong Kong SAR
TEL: +852 24788227, FAX: +852 24788319, E-MAIL:[email protected]

Regards

Alan

 

[lynns]

Ceramic pads CAN be used with ALL rotors. If the rotors are in good shape, I would just replace the pads. If the rotors are not in good shape then replace the Pads& Rotors.

In fact when I called Akebono USA and spoke with one of there Sr. Technical guys he informed me that it is NOT necesssary to have the rotors 'turned' if they are in good shape. Simply replace the pads and go lite on the braking for the first 300-500 miles if you want to be safe. NOTE: It is very important that you or your mechanic use the anti-squeel paste or you may have a noise. Most noticably when backing up with none going forward.