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2017 Sprinter brakes

ernie1
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 2017 MB Sprinter 3500 that is a 2018 PleasreWay Plateau XLMB.Am expriencing rear brake squeal when they are used hard. I am aware of what the causes and solutions are so I’m not seeking info in regards to these issues. Rather I’m wanting to possibly upgrade the braking material and was wondering what the original pad material is? Are they organic, semi metallic, metallic or ceramic? I am aware that this is a heavy vehicle and I need the proper pads to handle this weight. Calls to brake parts suppliers, MB customer care and MB dealerships did not get me the answer.
2 REPLIES 2

Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Explorer III
Good luck!

Sometimes it is just the luck of the draw on brakes for squealing.

Have had OEM pads on vehicles that started out quiet for 10K-20K miles, then out of the blue one or two wheels randomly squeal... Sometimes would stop with no intervention and sometimes always squealed until I changed the pads.

Tried Ceramics once to see if that would stop that nonsense and even those eventually would intermittently squeal and I didn't like the feeling of having to stomp harder on the brakes.

Most of the time you will find, the squealing will be more with the pads to rotor contact than anything else.

I never use any "lubricants" with any of the pad to caliper contact areas, the use of lubricants will eventually lead to those areas getting gunked up from dirt and mud (and yes, this does happen, paid a mechanic to change a frozen caliper once, he slathered grease on the sliding surface of the caliper for the pads and after 10K miles those pads were stuck and shot).

Instead I opt to grind/file fit the pads to the calipers, for some reason the pads are almost too tight of a fit in the caliper grooves and just a little rust or even dirt will freeze the pads causing sticking or at a min prevent the pads from moving back and forth easily.

Pads NEED to be able to slide easily in and out with a light effort but not be too loose that they rattle.

For pad to rotor squeal, try running some sand paper over the braking surface of the pad a few times, that might get past any hard spots that may be on the pad surface which can cause squealing.

ernie1
Explorer
Explorer
I have now disassembled the squeaking brakes on my rv and found that the brake pads appear to be semi metallic in appearance and the problem causing the squeaking, from what I can tell, is a total lack of lubrication in areas of pad contact with pistons, clipper and tension springs. The pads looked new with no glazing and the rotor also looked new with no glazing nor any over heated areas. This is after 34,000miles. I lubricated the necessary contact points with a copper based brake lubricant and will test drive the vehicle soon.