The brakes on my 85 300TD have siezed up on me twice now. It happened suddenly after it had been running fine for a while. I heard a rumbling, grinding sound so I stopped. I could smell brake pad and the brake pedal got soft while I was sitting there. After I sat there a while and it cooled down the brake pedal stiffened up and I drove it very slowly home with no sounds, smells, or soft brakes. The next day I did a test run with similiar results. At first things were fine then suddenly the rumbling sound and smell. After it cooled it seemed to return to normal. Curiously, it was only one wheel that siezed, and a different one each time. Any idea what's going on? Thanks.

Could be old rubber hoses that allow the brake fluid to the brakes, but won't let it drain back. If they are over ten years old, replace them.

Len

Also look into the possibility of the caliper pistons seizing due to rust. If there is corrosion inside the piston bore, then this will prevent the pistons from sliding freely in the caliper and there to still be pressure on the pads when you let off the brake.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

It may be a good idea to flush the brake fluid after changing the rubber brake hoses.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

Not likely it is the rubber hoses, what you need to do is to rebuild or replace all 4 brake calipers and pads, check rotors for tolerance and replace if necessary, then flush out old brake fluid and bleed entire system by starting with right rear then left rear then right front and finally left front, this will give a like new system and should take care of all the problems, this is one area you cannot afford to skimp on what to do, your good health and those riding with you depends on it.

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Jerry

2004 SL500 Black 55K Miles
2002 s500 Black 90K Miles
1986 300E Gold 233K Miles
1966 Twin Cessna 320D
1989 Jeep Cherokee 233K Miles
1994 Ford Van E150 399K Miles

if your going that far i would say to replace those hoses with new ones or get the stainless units from goodridge....

jake

when i rebuilt my system i was shocked at the true condition of teh rubber flex lines - scarry....

Old rubber hose could be a problem. See the following thread, particularly Post #8.

85 300D HELP! not rolling??? brakes stuck?

Check everything, assume nothing.

Best Regards,
Jim