Mercedes C-Class W205 Front Brake Pad Replacement

Does your Mercedes-Benz brake feel soft and weak because of a thin brake pad? Learn how to fix the problem by replacing your Mercedes-Benz front brake pads.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on changing the front brake pads on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class W205 chassis. Brakes are one of the wear-and-tear items on any car. The time between changes depends on various factors, from driving habits to the brake pad material.

When servicing your brakes, one thing to consider is whether you should change just your brake pads or both the brake pads and rotors. Mercedes recommends changing them both at the same time. While we generally agree if your brake rotors still have a lot of life left in them, you could change the brake pads. Replacing front brake pads on Mercedes W205 is easy, thanks to a specific brake caliper design that allows pad replacement without caliper removal.

What you will need

• W205 Front Brake Pad Set
• W205 Brake pad sensor
• Mechanic tool set metric
• Low profile jack
• Jack stands
• Torque wrench
• Breaker bar
• Punch set
• Brake caliper spreader

Procedure

1. While the vehicle is still on the ground and with the parking brake on, break free all-wheel lugs using a breaker bar and a suitable socket.
2. Optional Step – Open the hood and locate the brake reservoir. Extract a small amount of brake fluid from the reservoir to prevent it from overflowing during this procedure. Replace the brake fluid reservoir cap when you are done. 
3. Locate front lighting points, lift the car in the air using a jack, and secure it with jack stands.
4. Remove all wheel lugs and remove the wheel itself.
5. Turn the steering wheel to one side to gain better access.
6. At the backside of the caliper, locate a brake pad wear sensor, two guide pins, and a metal bracket.
7. Disconnect the blue wiring harness jack and carefully wiggle the sensor out of the outer brake pad.
8. Using a hammer and a suitable drift pin, drive both guide pins out of the brake caliper, pushing them towards the inner side of the caliper.
9. With guide pins out of the way, remove the metal bracket. It may take some wiggling and bending until it is free.
10. Pull the inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper by hand. If needed, give them a gentle tap with a hammer.
11. Using a brake pad spreader tool, spread out brake pistons to make enough room for new, thicker brake pads.
12. Install new brake pads, fit the new brake wear sensor to the outer pad, and connect the wiring harness.
13. Refit the metal bracket guide pins, and then refit the wheel.
14. Repeat the procedure on the other front wheel.
15. Lower the car on the ground and torque all-wheel lugs to 96 ft-lbs​ using a torque wrench.
16. Push the brake pedal several times until it gets hard, then top off the brake fluid reservoir.

Torque Specs

• Wheel lugs: 96 ft lbs​

We hope you find the Mercedes C-Class W205 Front Brake Pad Replacement guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Mercedes-Benz.