R171 SLK AMG55 Brake discs
Discussion
I might be about to become your best friend.. I sent out similar pleas myself and ultimately had to sort it myself, the hard way.
My exact same situation was 12 months ago; I have a 2006 SLK55AMG (R171) and almost passed out when I heard about the front brake disc cost from Merc. And then spent fruitless hours searching the 'net for pattern parts to no avail; even tried specialists in the States as I'm often sourcing bits for my summer steed, a resto-modded 67 Mustang Fastback, but no joy.
Refusing to accept defeat, I finally discovered that GSF ( http://gsfcarparts.com/ ) claimed to stock replacement front discs (although, just to really extend the challenge I had, they don't actually list the bloody things on their website - I had to phone my local Birmingham branch and ask) and at £100 or so the pair, compared somewhat favourably with the £1200 or thereabouts Mercedes wanted. They are one piece, rather than the 2 piece "floating" type originally fitted, and drilled and vented only as opposed to the drilled, slotted and vented originals - so a slight downturn in the looks department - but - hey - they're over a GRAND cheaper!
Opted to fit them myself, and all looked great until I realised the GSF ones were 5mm greater diameter - 345mm as opposed to 340mm - AFTER I'd fitted the first unit (of course) The tolerances within the Bembo 6 pot calipers are tight, and an unfortunate graunching noise accompanied the first test rotation of the front wheel. Closer inspection, however, revealed that the only thing catching - and only just - was a 15mm diameter solid steel bar across the open face of the caliper - its a safety bar to prevent the disc pads flying out in the (highly unlikely) event of retaining pin failure. The marks of the where the outer flat edges of the discs had caught it were obvious.
Initial despair was replaced by realisation of 2 options: 1. Grind back literally a mm or two from the bar - 5mm diameter is after all 2.5mm radius (bar is non-mechanical and non load-bearing) so the disc cleared it (clearance on the rest of the calipers was ok) - or find a brake specialist who would take 5mm off the diameter of the discs themselves and rebalance them.
I found one more than happy to do this for £40 each, but decided on option 1. Literally a few seconds with my dremel on the steel bar where it had fouled and job done; the bar is in no way compromised, and discs rotate freely. OEM pads also fit perfectly (sourced those on ebay for about £30 the set)
I've since put 20,000 hard driven miles onto the car including a few spirited track days with no issues at all. Some people at work extensively took the p*ss, exaggerating an "angle-grinder to Brembo" solution as somewhat crude and not in keeping - but b*ll*cks - I was £1000 better off, solution works perfectly and even the Mercedes dealership (having been sceptical) conceded it was 100% fine when it was next serviced.
Rear discs I ultimately had to concede defeat on and get from Merc (and what a B*STARD the original ones were to get off - the worst I've EVER experienced) but they are much cheaper than the fronts anyway.
Hope this helps, sir!
My exact same situation was 12 months ago; I have a 2006 SLK55AMG (R171) and almost passed out when I heard about the front brake disc cost from Merc. And then spent fruitless hours searching the 'net for pattern parts to no avail; even tried specialists in the States as I'm often sourcing bits for my summer steed, a resto-modded 67 Mustang Fastback, but no joy.
Refusing to accept defeat, I finally discovered that GSF ( http://gsfcarparts.com/ ) claimed to stock replacement front discs (although, just to really extend the challenge I had, they don't actually list the bloody things on their website - I had to phone my local Birmingham branch and ask) and at £100 or so the pair, compared somewhat favourably with the £1200 or thereabouts Mercedes wanted. They are one piece, rather than the 2 piece "floating" type originally fitted, and drilled and vented only as opposed to the drilled, slotted and vented originals - so a slight downturn in the looks department - but - hey - they're over a GRAND cheaper!
Opted to fit them myself, and all looked great until I realised the GSF ones were 5mm greater diameter - 345mm as opposed to 340mm - AFTER I'd fitted the first unit (of course) The tolerances within the Bembo 6 pot calipers are tight, and an unfortunate graunching noise accompanied the first test rotation of the front wheel. Closer inspection, however, revealed that the only thing catching - and only just - was a 15mm diameter solid steel bar across the open face of the caliper - its a safety bar to prevent the disc pads flying out in the (highly unlikely) event of retaining pin failure. The marks of the where the outer flat edges of the discs had caught it were obvious.
Initial despair was replaced by realisation of 2 options: 1. Grind back literally a mm or two from the bar - 5mm diameter is after all 2.5mm radius (bar is non-mechanical and non load-bearing) so the disc cleared it (clearance on the rest of the calipers was ok) - or find a brake specialist who would take 5mm off the diameter of the discs themselves and rebalance them.
I found one more than happy to do this for £40 each, but decided on option 1. Literally a few seconds with my dremel on the steel bar where it had fouled and job done; the bar is in no way compromised, and discs rotate freely. OEM pads also fit perfectly (sourced those on ebay for about £30 the set)
I've since put 20,000 hard driven miles onto the car including a few spirited track days with no issues at all. Some people at work extensively took the p*ss, exaggerating an "angle-grinder to Brembo" solution as somewhat crude and not in keeping - but b*ll*cks - I was £1000 better off, solution works perfectly and even the Mercedes dealership (having been sceptical) conceded it was 100% fine when it was next serviced.
Rear discs I ultimately had to concede defeat on and get from Merc (and what a B*STARD the original ones were to get off - the worst I've EVER experienced) but they are much cheaper than the fronts anyway.
Hope this helps, sir!
Edited by Mustangpn on Tuesday 1st March 16:07
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff