Parking brake stuck? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

winmutt · #1 01-22-2007, 10:12 AM

I looked around but didnt see anyone with my specific problem. My parking brakes are stuck. The pedal releases but the brakes clearly don't. Any suggestions?

softconsult · #2 01-22-2007, 10:21 AM

Happened to a 124 that I left sitting for about a year. They are controlled by the typical cable arrangement. You need to get the rear end of the car up on jack stands and crawl under there for a look. You may find rusted cables that are frozen. If the cables move, then seems that next step is to remove the rear rotors so that you can get to the parking brakes.

Steve

barry123400 · #3 01-22-2007, 10:33 AM

If the car has been sitting rust bonding of the shoes might have occured. For that sometimes hitting on the rotor hub might loosen them. Just use a 3-5 pound hammer not too agressively on the hub. First I would make sure the main cable is not seized. If car has not been sitting long it probably is the cable from the footpedal to the adjuster in the centre underneath. If that cable seized it would tension the two at the back. I would disconnect it there to check the system out. Unlikely unless car has sat a very long time it is the two cables to the brake hubs. I could not see them both freezing up. How are you sure it is both sides? Jacked each wheel up and tried to turn them?

Jkid · #4 01-22-2007, 10:54 AM

How long has the car been sitting? Every once in a while my parking brake will be stuck after only sitting overnight. I just give a good dose of throttle and it breaks free. All is fine after that. I assume you've tried this though? I may have a problem with a bad caliper or cable, but everything seems to work just fine 99% of the time. My rotors and pads are pretty rusty, so I assume that the pads will stick to the rotors if they get wet and sit for a period of time.
If it's been sitting for a while jamming the throttle is probably not the best route though.

winmutt · #5 01-22-2007, 11:10 AM

I drove all the way to work. I am going to attempt to adjust them until they are loose and worry about it this weekend when I have time.

barry123400 · #6 01-22-2007, 11:43 AM

They have drum brakes located in the middle of the rear rotor hub that serve as emergency brakes. Since you are driving it if both rear wheels are getting pretty warm it is probably the main feeder cable. You might want to check just to make sure the calipers on the rear are free. They are known to go bad as well. How do you know it is the emergency brake at this point? It could be sticky rear calipers. Easy to check though.

winmutt · #7 01-22-2007, 07:15 PM

Ok it the drivers side only. It turned there is just plenty of resistance. Parking brake has no affect. The pass side turns relatively freely and the p brake does have an affect. What should I look for?

barry123400 · #8 01-22-2007, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

Ok it the drivers side only. It turned there is just plenty of resistance. Parking brake has no affect. The pass side turns relatively freely and the p brake does have an affect. What should I look for?

First I would pry the pads off the rotor and see if the wheel was still dragging. It could be a sticking caliper. If that does not do it then indeed you are after the emergency brake on that side. First suspect in my mind is the cable that directly serves that side is partially frozen. I believe access to the shoe position adjuster is through the lug hole on the drum if you wish to try backing off the shoes a little. Just do not use the emergency brake anymore until you repair what is really wrong after adjusting the shoes if required.

winmutt · #9 01-22-2007, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry123400

First I would pry the pads off the rotor and see if the wheel was still dragging. It could be a sticking caliper. If that does not do it then indeed you are after the emergency brake on that side. First suspect in my mind is the cable that directly serves that side is partially frozen. I believe access to the shoe position adjuster is through the lug hole on the drum if you wish to try backing off the shoes a little. Just do not use the emergency brake anymore until you repair what is really wrong after adjusting the shoes if required.

I pulled the wheel, the rear brake is dragging atleast probably frozen. I looked for the adjustment screw per the FSM but didn't see anything in there?