The EBC Yellowstuff DP42137R is a rear brake pad set for the 2.0-liter turbocharged Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG, built on EBC's aramid-fibre Yellowstuff compound. The manufacturer positions Yellowstuff as a high-efficiency performance pad with high friction and stronger stopping power, and its cold bite works without a warm-up period. Each pad also carries a Brake-In surface coating that helps the friction material seat against the rotor quickly after installation.
Against stock pads, the upgrade shows most on spirited fast-street driving and occasional track days, where repeated hard stops push the brakes toward fade. The pads are shimmed, chamfered and slotted for quieter operation, and the manufacturer says the backing plates use NRS hooks that help prevent pad debonding. The compound carries ECE R90 approval, so it is road-legal in European markets. EBC now steers serious track users toward its BlueStuff compound because Yellowstuff needs a long bed-in, so Yellowstuff suits the street-first buyer who wants a firm, fade-resistant upgrade over OE pads on the rear axle.
Yes. The manufacturer's street bed-in calls for 50 to 100 miles of normal highway driving, followed by 8 stops from 80 mph to 30 mph at 300-yard intervals, with coasting between stops to let the brakes cool.
The manufacturer states that Yellowstuff is no longer its top recommendation for track use, and that BlueStuff is the better choice there because its bedding-in is much shorter.
Owners on user forums report that the rear brakes on this car use an electronic parking brake, so the rear calipers must be placed in service mode through the instrument cluster menu before the pads are removed.
Rear pad replacement on this CLA45 is a moderate DIY job, mainly because of the electronic parking brake. Owners on user forums recommend putting the rear calipers into service mode through the cluster menu first, then removing the caliper bolts and using a piston spreader to retract the piston. Tools commonly cited include a Torx E18 socket, a 13 mm and 17 mm wrench, a T35 Torx bit for the rotor lock screw (which owners say is hard to source), and a torque wrench. Lubricate the caliper slide pins with a full silicone lubricant and inspect their rubber seals. Once installed, follow the manufacturer's bed-in procedure before aggressive use.
