I need to get a pair of front brake calipers. Seems like there are two types, ATE or Bendix. Are these interchangeable? If not, how do I determine which type I need?

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1st MBz: 1982 300SD
2nd MBz: 1987 300SDL
3rd MBz: 1995 S420
4th MBz: 1987 190DT
5th MBz: 1984 300SD w/1983 300DT engine
6th MBz: 1999 C230k I'm 3rd owner, got it w/57,235 miles.
and manages Mom's 2007 R320 CDI

Note: You should specify which car you are talking about.

As a general answer, they interchange insofar as either can be bolted up on the car.

It is not a good practice to mix the two on the same end of the car.

One takes a thicker pad than the other, so the pads don't necessarily interchange. I forget which has the thinner pad.

The Bendix are more expensive and usually harder to find, so in some cases when one Bendix needs to be replaced, people just buy two ATE and do both sides at once (you can probably find two rebuilt ATEs for the price of one Bendix, if you shop around).

The most failsafe way to determine which brand is on the car now is to pull a wheel and check.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Here is a link I found that helps with identification between the two:

Mercedes w123: New rear brakes for the 300TD

On my '79 I have ATE up front and Bendix in the back. Personally, I like the ATE better because of the pad retention mechanism. I found that on the Bendix, especially one that is slightly neglected by the PO and exposed to a lot of corrosion, the cotters that hold the pins in place can be troublesome to remove. I had to drill one out after it broke off inside the hole in the pin. It was just a pain in the rear when you're already behind because of other complications like corroded hard lines. On the other hand I've never had an issue with the compression fit pins on the ATE, they just hammer right out.

So I have a set of rear ATE calipers from a 300TD (which are also bigger which will be a nice upgrade) that will go on the '79 next time I need pads. Then both of mine will be fully ATE.

Just food for thought from my personal experience; I would just get ATE and if I happen to have Bendix I'd be fine with replacing them.

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1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

http://i.imgur.com/LslW733.jpg

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Thank you. I need the front left and right calipers for the 84 300SD. The driver side is leaking pretty bad, so I'll change both of them.

__________________
.
1st MBz: 1982 300SD
2nd MBz: 1987 300SDL
3rd MBz: 1995 S420
4th MBz: 1987 190DT
5th MBz: 1984 300SD w/1983 300DT engine
6th MBz: 1999 C230k I'm 3rd owner, got it w/57,235 miles.
and manages Mom's 2007 R320 CDI

My hunch is you have Bendix calipers. It seems the later model year 1st gen w126 were more often equipped with Bendix than ATE.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

whatever is less expensive. Change the hosesandwear indicator. Power bleed so you don't mess up your master.

By locally if you get remanned. You will save some aggravation and possibly shipping.

Now is the time to research some good stopping, low dust pads. One SD has them, the other always noisy and dusty.

The pads are the same regardless of caliper brand.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.