Ensuring you have the correct brake pads for your Mercedes 300D is crucial for safety and optimal vehicle performance. For owners of the ’83 300D model, it’s important to know that front and rear brake pads are indeed different. When it comes to replacing your front pads, identifying the brand of your caliper is the first key step. Mercedes utilized two brands for this model: ATE and Bendix.
To determine which caliper brand your vehicle is equipped with, you will need to remove the wheels and visually inspect the calipers. The brand name, either ATE or Bendix, should be stamped directly onto the metal of the caliper itself. This identification is essential because the pad retainers differ between these brands.
The distinction in pad retainers is noticeable in their pin and spring mechanisms. ATE calipers use pins that are designed to be tapped in and held by friction, with a one-piece spring located underneath the pins. In contrast, Bendix calipers feature pins with small holes at the tip, through which a cotter pin is inserted for securement. Bendix springs are also composed of two separate pieces.
Once you have successfully identified whether you have ATE or Bendix calipers, you can proceed to purchase the correct Mercedes Brake Pads. For quality and reliability, brands like Textar are highly recommended within the Mercedes-Benz community.
Regarding brake pad sensors, specifically on the W123 models, it’s worth noting that sensors are typically installed only on the front brake pads. Rear pads generally do not have sensors. While the sensor system is designed to trigger a warning light when your brake pads are nearing the end of their life, your Mercedes 300D will function perfectly well without these sensors being connected or installed.
Brake pad sensors act as a convenient indicator, alerting you to check your pad thickness. However, they are essentially a “dummy light” system. Regular visual inspections of your brake pads are a reliable alternative. Therefore, if you prefer to delay ordering sensors or opt out altogether, you can simply monitor your brake pad wear manually through periodic checks.
