Early brake pad failure

[IMSMRT]

My front pads have begun to fail as of my last B service at 42000. I have not decided what to do at this point since I do not consider a brake failure at less than 80,000to be "normal wear and tear" it is an inferior design/product and should be replaced under warranty if not a recall. Really who would expect brake failure at 30-40k? It should be a safety concern. The list keeps getting longer.

[burnman]

I just did my front brakes yesterday. My car has 76K of mostly city driving and I figure the pads had about 20-30% left. I wanted to switch to the EBC Green because I was sick of the constant dust on the wheels.

Edited August 31, 2009 by burnman

[shakey]

I'm a bit concerned about my front pads right now. I have 37,000 km and I hear a squeak every once in a while, usually after hitting 4 or 5 red lights in a row.

[bilgladstone]

I'm a bit concerned about my front pads right now. I have 37,000 km and I hear a squeak every once in a while, usually after hitting 4 or 5 red lights in a row.

What did they tell you after your most recent A or B service? Inspecting the brakes is specifically a line item on the list of both service procedures.

[shakey]

What did they tell you after your most recent A or B service? Inspecting the brakes is specifically a line item on the list of both service procedures.

I wasn't told anything and I tried to make out what was printed on the service report for pad thickness but the printout was too faded. I assume if there was a problem I would have been told. I have an A service next week, I'm sure they'll let me know then.Shakey

[Guest GHup]

Just had my 30K service done on 2008. Tech said there is rust on the rotors but still pad material there, should change both. Ya right! Told them I'll do that myself. Same day I drove to Toronto (from Ottawa), I could hear one pad rubbing on the rotor at highway speed. When I got home I pulled off the wheels. One side the pads were really stuck on the caliper assembly where the should slide easily. Cleaned it up and put anti-sieze on it. Will check in a week or 2. Will for sure upgrade my pads before winter. The sticking side was wearing quite a bit. MB service is just like any dealer just more expensive.

[bilgladstone]

I wasn't told anything and I tried to make out what was printed on the service report for pad thickness but the printout was too faded. I assume if there was a problem I would have been told. I have an A service next week, I'm sure they'll let me know then.

Shakey

Never assume, cousin. Be sure to make a point of asking.

[shakey]

Never assume, cousin. Be sure to make a point of asking.

I appreciate the advice, I will definately ask next friday. Thanks again for your help.

Shakey

[burnman]

After having done these front brakes, the are one of the easiest DIY break jobs I've ever seen. All you need is three wrenches and the instructions found on the evolution site. It's really had to screw up.

[MikeT]

Note that two types of caliper bolts are now supplied with the brake pad sets: the shouldered ones are only for the 451 and the non-shouldered ones are for the 450. The bolts are not interchangable......

[parts4smarts]

I was looking at EBCbrakesdirect. Is the shipping really $36 to Canada? Still only $97 delivered... not bad at all.

I think it is time to quit the aftermarket supply businessI sell these things for CAD$ 95 for EBC greenstuff and CAD $ 75 for EBC Blackstuff ,and people still prefer to order them from the UKsee here http://clubsmartcar.com/index.php?showtopi...p;hl=ebc+brakesIf I bring them in, pay for them GST and duty up front, and still can't make a few bucks,it is time I quit and let everyone deal directly with the UK and the Germanssign me 'Unappreciated 'harald

[bilgladstone]

I think it is time to quit the aftermarket supply businessI sell these things for CAD$ 95 for EBC greenstuff and CAD $ 75 for EBC Blackstuff ,and people still prefer to order them from the UKsee here http://clubsmartcar.com/index.php?showtopi...p;hl=ebc+brakesIf I bring them in, pay for them GST and duty up front, and still can't make a few bucks,it is time I quit and let everyone deal directly with the UK and the Germanssign me 'Unappreciated 'harald

Yeah, I feel your pain, buddy. Been there; done that. Loyalty to the local guy... what's that mean anymore? :-/ It's sad, man.

[MikeT]

The set I was referring to above was the OE, which cost me $40 yesterday at TPM (sale!). The 451 bolts have a flange head, not shoulders as I incorrectly wrote yesterday.....anyway they now come with two sets of bolts so beware!

[Overkll]

Dude! This post is almost a YEAR old... I don't even know if you supplied EBC back then, but I would (and will buy) from you when the time comes Harald was great to deal with and I will look forward to dealing with him again. I've said it before, dealing locally is always preferred even at marginally higher prices (if at all)... now when 'local' people make 200-300% profit on sales, that's another story.Funny how we talk about dealing locally when our cars were made in France

I think it is time to quit the aftermarket supply businessI sell these things for CAD$ 95 for EBC greenstuff and CAD $ 75 for EBC Blackstuff ,and people still prefer to order them from the UKsee here http://clubsmartcar.com/index.php?showtopi...p;hl=ebc+brakesIf I bring them in, pay for them GST and duty up front, and still can't make a few bucks,it is time I quit and let everyone deal directly with the UK and the Germanssign me 'Unappreciated 'harald

[parts4smarts]

I think that some things just hit a nerve.....I completely trust members of the smart community ( I generally ship before I bill, except for odd or very expensive items) , but it can also be a frustrating group to deal withI don't really wish to be a drama queen....but the smart has gone somewhat main stream , and it is harder to make a go of itthe 'bucks made'to 'hours spent trying to make that buck' ratio is getting very, very lowI still do enjoy the effort, though, so we'll keep at it.....thanks for the kind wordsharald