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Brakes pulsating at higher speeds - 1985 240DL 200 1985

Have noticed increasingly a problem with my brakes. There is a pulsation when braking at higher speeds, maybe over 40 mph. No noticeable loss of braking power. Am fearful this is rotors, which I know are expensive. Any chance it could be something else and or just pads? This is a city beater car, about 220,000 miles. If rotors slightly bad, is this dangerous? If rotors and pads do need to be replaced, any recommendations for a place that has less expensive parts? I wouldn't be doing this myself, would let my mechanic do it.








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Brakes pulsating at higher speeds - 1985 240DL 200 1985


Bad rotors aren't necessarily dangerous, but will decrease braking performance making them potentially dangerous.

Do you feel the pulsations through the pedal or seat? Pedal=front, seat=rear rotors.

Either way, if you need rotors then you should replace rotors and pads together. BTW - rotors aren't too expensive for a 240. Try FCPGroton.com for good prices on quality brake parts...

--
90 244DL 252K - original engine/drivetrain :)








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Brakes pulsating at higher speeds - 1985 240DL 200 1985

If you can feel the pulsation in the brake pedal, then it is most likely rotors. It could be rotors even if you don't feel it in the pedal because opposed-piston calipers don't send much signal back to the pedal.

If you mostly feel it through the car, check for loose ball joints and control arm bushings. Any little irregularity in the rotor can set up a nasty pulse cycle if there is loosness anywhere in the system. I have some hard spots in my rear rotors that showed up when I had the rotors turned. At at a certain brake temperature and speed, the whole rear end of my car shakes annoyingly.

I would not expect that there is any danger involved, just annoyance.







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