[W126 Coupe] New Calipers on SEC

[Mister McGoo]

Bob,
 
The brake calipers seize or leak over time.  For a 1983 car this would not be a surprise.  When you have the wheels off the ground, difficulty in spinning the wheel indicate a seized caliper.  (You feel and hear the brake pad gripping, OR ALSO, the offending wheel can get very hot to the touch.  In extreme cases, you can smell the pad burning)  A leaking caliper is obvious.  You would soon run out of fluid and have no brakes.  Ask the garage person which condition was the problem.  
 
Brake calipers should be replaced in pairs, never one at a time.
 
Unlike the W126 sedans of the same years, the '82/'83 380SEC models were equipped with Lucas-Girling calipers of a floating design.  The replacement OEM calipers should retail about $200 - $250 each, depending upon the parts supplier.  (The garage will mark-up an additional profit; the MB dealer over-the-counter will likely want your first-born and a secured creditor position on your house.)  The OEM pads for these calipers, from Textar or Pagit run about $100/set (Mintex might be less).  When replacing the calipers, the system must be bled so it is a good time to renew the brake fluid in the whole system at that time.  (The garage should have at least recommend renewing the fluid if they didn't just go ahead and do it without asking.) When replacing the pads, new wear sensors should be installed as a normal practice (a couple of bucks).   So those costs must be figured in.
 
For some reason, after '85 the 420SEC, 560SEC use the ATE calipers the same as the sedans.  The ATE calipers run about the same price as the Lucas-Girling and the pad sets are about $40.00 .  
 
-Bellamy 


From: bobrod at cox.netTo: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.comDate: Mon, 9 Oct 2006 12:42:43 -0400Subject: [W126 Coupe] New Calipers on SEC



I took my '83 SEC into MB independent repair shop to have new pads put on.  He calls me back and says I need new calipers at $310 each.  My brakes were working fine I just bought some new pads and want to have them put on.  Question do calipers wear out?  I was surprised and shocked because I have never read anything about calipers on this site.  What do you think, was I ripped off??
Bob Rodgers
1973 450SL Parts Car
1982 380 SL Nice weather Driver
1983 380 SEC Every day car.
1987 560 SL 4 Sale
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