[W126 Coupe] Brake Rotors for the W126

[Ernie Stephens]

Thanks Dick, I'll make this my first page of instructions.
Ernie
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dick Spellman<mailto:dick.spellman at gmail.com> 
  To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists<mailto:mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com> 
  Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 11:47 AM
  Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Brake Rotors for the W126


  Hi Ernie,

  It's a diy job all around.  Check with Jonathan for the rotors, pads, front pad wear sensors, MB paste, e-brake kit and any caliper brake hoses you are looking to replace.

  I would recommend the hoses be replaced if you are doing the calipers and the SEC is 20+ years old now.  The interior of the hoses can and will swell with age and this causes unwanted braking and uneven wear on the pads/rotors.  

  The e-brake will by now show signs of decomposing (even if never used) and it's easy and inexpensive to replace while the rear rotors are off.

  Also, a pressurized brake bleeder will allow you to thoroughly flush the brake system as a part of renewing your brakes.  If you do choose to use a pressure bleeder ( I recommend this) you will need to replace the rubber brake reservoir caps (2) before doing the pressure bleed procedure as the originals will surely crack and burst.

  Depending on the mileage on your SEC, if near or past 200K, I would pull the master cylinder and look down inside and to the front of the brake booster for any signs of black (wet) goo.  If present, just order up a new master cylinder and do the whole job at once saving you grief latter.  If the brake booster rubber diaphragm has become wet from leaking brake fluid on the old master cylinder then the booster will need to be replaced.  If you catch this early enough (200k mark) you can avoid this costly booster r&r.  In any event, master cylinder will fail at 200k and if any shop has used the 'pump the pedal' method of brake bleeding they will have moved past the lip on the cylinder weakening the seal with time. 

  In any event, Jonathan is my highly recommended supplier for all of the above where he knows all of the ins and outs and will recommend what works.

  Take care,

  Dick

  Ernie Stephens wrote: 
    I was told that I need a brake job and I suspect that they are right; I'd like to think that I can do the brake job myself but thought I'd check with some of you more experienced than me for advice.  I went to performanceproducts.com  and found front rotors priced at $40, $60 and $90 and they all look the same to me; how does one choose which to buy? Any advice about doing one's own brake job appreciated.

    Also, regarding diesels:
    The 6.0L turbo diesel  in my 2003 Ford Excursion moves that big SUV chassis with more gusto than my normally aspirated 560 gas engine moves de Cpe.  If I ever have to spend the big bucks on engine repair I am wondering if it would be wise to replace the engine in the Cpe with a turbo diesel (any thoughts?).
    Ernie
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