Checking the thickness of the pads (Mercedes-Benz E-Class W210)

For those who service their car's brake system themselves, this check is the most important. The front brake pads on cars with an automatic transmission wear out faster. The brake pad wear indicator light in the instrument cluster lights up if the brake pad lining thickness on the piston side of the front brakes is less than 3.5 mm.

The wear from the initial size of 14 mm in this case is so great that all four front pads should be replaced. On cars with the ASR system, wear sensors are also installed on the rear wheels. When installing new front pads, it is always necessary to check the condition of the rear ones.

Sequence of works

1. Remove the appropriate wheel.

2. Ahead: minimum pad thickness 2.0 mm. If the difference in pad thickness is more than 2.0 mm, disassemble the caliper bracket or check the pad guides.

3. Behind: minimum wear level of linings 2.0 mm. Thickness of new linings 11.0 mm.

4. The pads should be replaced if they are oily.

5. Warning: If the pads are not replaced in a timely manner before the minimum wear of the linings is 2.0 mm, the working stroke of the brake piston will be too long, as a result of which the entire caliper may fail.