Lets face it - you are going to have a real screamer there! Have they
put copper putty or paste or goo of some sort on the back of the pads
when they mount them? It makes them slip quietly or something. Or it
could just be that your ML430 is too old and can't take the hard use
you are subjecting it to. Try dragging your feet to stop it, or let it
gently run into a tree or maybe some lesser vehicles along the kerb
next time you want to stop it.

mcbrue silently under the bridge in the trailer down by the river

96 S420

Hi,

I have owned an ML320 and ML350.  Both have had this problem.

ML320:  Very bad squeal on front wheels only.  Fixed by replacing pads.

ML350:  Minor problem which came and went from time to time.  Then suddenly
it got very bad.  Bit the bullet and asked for a service...  M/B replaced
the disks at no cost.  I had to pay for the pads.

General:  M/B garage told me that this is a general problem with ML
disks/pads.  Made worse by using acid based alloy clearers on the wheels.
The new disks look totally different to my un-educated eye.  Thicker and
without machining marks.  Watch out for rust on the set screws that hold the
disk pad unit on; they will rust quickly after the nice silver/grey paint
has been damaged.

HTH.

Dave

It's not the pads it's how you mount them.  there are lots of different
"anti-squeal" products.  Pick one.