How to Replace Brake Pads on a 2000 Mercedes Benz E320


1. Park the Mercedes on a level stretch of ground and turn the engine off. Open the hood by pulling the hood release and move to the front of the vehicle.
2. Lift the hood and remove the maser cylinder cap. The cap is black on top of a white, translucent container located to the right of the E320's engine. Remove half of the brake fluid from the reservoir with a syringe. Lay the cap loosely over the container.
3. Crack the lug nuts with the lug wrench. One full turn will sufficiently loosen each lug.
4. Lift the vehicle with the jack and place jack stands under the frame of the Mercedes for support.
5. Remove the lug nuts and take the wheel off.
6. Place the punch on the outside of the caliper at the location of the upper caliper pin. Strike the punch with a hammer to drive the caliper pin from the brake caliper. Remove the lower pin the same way and lift the caliper from the Mercedes' caliper bracket and brake pads.
7. Grab the retaining clip at the top edge of the brake pad with a pair of pliers. Pull the pads from the caliper bracket.
8. Apply brake grease to the metal shims on the back side of the new brake pads to protect the pads from moisture and ensure fluid extension of the caliper pistons.
9. Insert the new brake pads into the slots of the brake caliper bracket.
10. Place a C-clamp over the caliper piston and the side of the caliper from which it extends. Squeeze the piston into the side of the caliper with the clamp. Remove the clamp from the caliper once the piston is fully opened (recessed into the caliper).
11. Return the caliper over the new brake pads inside the caliper bracket. Insert the two caliper pins per caliper into their slots. Turn the wheel to gain access to the back side of the caliper and strike the caliper pins to fully seat them.
12. Repeat steps 6 through 11 for the remaining sets of brake pads you intend to replace.
13. Place the wheels back onto the Mercedes' wheel bolts and screw on the lug nuts. Lift the vehicle with the jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the tires to the ground and tighten the lugs with the lug wrench. Return to the engine compartment.
14. Lift the master cylinder cap and fill the reservoir with brake fluid. Replace the master cylinder cap securely onto the container and close the Mercedes' hood.