560SEL front brakes into W116

[Takernz]

hello guys!

                  been long time since my last post, I have a question; will a '89 560SEL front brakes (rotor and calipers) will fit into my 280S while retaining my 14 inch wheels?

[TJ 450]

In short, no.

You would have to fit 15" wheels at a minimum, unfortunately.

Tim

[Takernz]

oh ok, Is it possible to install these without changing steering knuckles or anything?

[TJ 450]

All you would have to change is the metal shield, calipers and rotors if you have 15" or larger wheels. If there is any problems with the old hubs, such as stripped threads etc, even the ABS hubs will fit straight on.

There's no need to change the steering knuckles, which makes it easy.

I was able to fit the first series W126 brakes on my 6.9 by just changing the above parts.

Tim

[Big_Richard]

the 560SL uses quad piston front calipers which require different steering knuckles. I dont know about the w126, i suspect it also has whizzbang front brakes too being the hero model of the day.

[TJ 450]

The quad piston brakes would be a good upgrade for sure. The 560SEL brakes are the same as the ECE 500SEL brakes we removed from Nathan's Anthracite car.

Tim

[Takernz]

thanks for the input sir! btw, one more question, are the brake pads of 560SEL is the same as my 280S?

[TJ 450]

They are larger pads matched to the larger brake rotors and calipers.

Tim

[Takernz]

thank you again sir!

[robertd]

Tim,

Knowledge is King.

Cheers
Rob

[flutes]

Tim your knowledge on these cars always impresses me.  Have you considered doing this as a career?

[SELfor50]

Nice one Timbo.  I never realised you had 560 brakes on yours also?  I got them on the 6.9SE, and I have to say they are that extra bit of braking power.  More real-estate on the rotors, they work a treat.

And spot on, 15" Minimum.

I had no idea about the 560SL brakes.  Quad piston is nice.  Do they bolt straight up??  Anyone looked into that?
I doubt they are very easy to come by, but still - they'd go bloody great on a track car.

Cam.

[s class]

I presume the 560SL has a specific steering knuckle to cater for this.  AFAIK the W114/W107 knuckle is nothing like the W116/W123/W126 knuckle.  Can TJ confirm this? 

[TJ 450]

Tim your knowledge on these cars always impresses me.  Have you considered doing this as a career?

I have indeed considered, but it hasn't happened as yet. 

Cam, regarding the brakes on my 6.9. They are the "small" W126 brakes, so I could use the 14" bundts. I have the big brakes sitting under the house for future use though.

S Class, the steering knuckle for the 560SL carries a different part number to that of the 450SL. Going by the EPC image, it does appear to be that the 560SL has quad piston front calipers, although the hose enters on the side rather than the top of the caliper. That would make fitment on the 116 somewhat difficult.

My hard copy 107 Chassis & Body manual makes no mention of the 560 brakes, as it is for pre-update cars.

The 107 steering knuckle is indeed nothing like that which the 116 introduced and is derived from the previous generation of cars. It is quite a capable setup, but was certainly showing its age by the end of the 80s. Having said that, I was always impressed by my Dad's Euro 380SL. That's what really got me into MBs.

Part numbers for the 107 steering knuckles are:

For the 450SL; A 107 332 00 01 (L) A 107 332 00 02 (R).
For the 560SL; A 107 332 04 01 (L) A 107 332 04 02 (R).

Heres the EPC image that includes the brake calipers for the 560SL:


Tim

[s class]

So TJ, the question remains about those 107 steering knuckles - the 450SL and 560SL versions are different, but is this due to ABS sensor mounting, or caliper mounting arrangments, or both?