Brake-related squeal on 240 4-speed - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BodhiBenz1987 · #1 01-19-2010, 05:43 PM

I've been commuting in the 240D 4spd this week, which has been a little white-knuckle at times. The little guy has done pretty well, although today on the way to work it was awful grid-lock stop'n'go traffic. After a while I started getting a short, very high-pitched squeal on applying the brakes, but after the car came to a stop. My educated (sort of) guess is the clutch. I'm new to stick and have gotten pretty good at it, but this was my first effort in this type of traffic and I was heavy on the clutch. Thoughts? Is this just me burning up the clutch because I'm a novice at stick, or might I have a new problem waiting in a dark alley to accost me?

Hopefully I just need to learn how to drive ...

4x4_Welder · #2 01-19-2010, 06:19 PM

Are you in gear holding the clutch while stopped? It's a lot easier on everything if you put it in neutral and take your foot off the clutch..

BodhiBenz1987 · #3 01-19-2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4_Welder

Are you in gear holding the clutch while stopped? It's a lot easier on everything if you put it in neutral and take your foot off the clutch..

Yep, and that's where I got a little stymied. I wanted to leave it in neutral, but the traffic went from stop to go to stop to go so fast that I was just constantly putting it in and out of gear. I'll admit I caved to the pressure of nitwits behind me who'd get really mad if I didn't immediately move as soon as the guy in front of me did ... come on people, we're going to move 50 yards then stop again, what's the rush?

And to think I was starting to get a little cocky about my stick skills.

dantheman67 · #4 01-19-2010, 06:50 PM

I dunno, if the squeal occurs only when you apply the brakes, when the car is stationary, I'm tempted to say it's a brake/vacuum problem. But don't quote me on that.. it's a ventured guess.

Someone can correct me if this is just myth or not, but as a rule of thumb, I try to not have the clutch pressed for more than 5 to 6 seconds at a time. "Problems down the road" were cited as the reason

BodhiBenz1987 · #5 01-19-2010, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dantheman67

I dunno, if the squeal occurs only when you apply the brakes, when the car is stationary, I'm tempted to say it's a brake/vacuum problem. But don't quote me on that.. it's a ventured guess.

Someone can correct me if this is just myth or not, but as a rule of thumb, I try to not have the clutch pressed for more than 5 to 6 seconds at a time. "Problems down the road" were cited as the reason

I'll experiment a little on the way home. None of the pesky traffic to bother me at 2 a.m.

I generally put the car in neutral at intersections or in any situation where I'm expecting more than a quick pause. There was a lot of gray area in this trip. Oh well, always learning.

Stevo · #6 01-19-2010, 07:04 PM

Just to add to 4X4s comment , dont get in the habit of "resting" any part of your foot on the clutch pedal while underway

.

I thought for sure it was your "low brake pad" warning until you said you were stopped.

Happy motoring, I really enjoy driving my stick 240s, maybe not so much if I had to drive in bumper to bumper traffic all the time tho

BodhiBenz1987 · #7 01-19-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevo

Just to add to 4X4s comment , dont get in the habit of "resting" any part of your foot on the clutch pedal while underway

.

I thought for sure it was your "low brake pad" warning until you said you were stopped.

Happy motoring, I really enjoy driving my stick 240s, maybe not so much if I had to drive in bumper to bumper traffic all the time tho

Yeah I've definitely enjoyed driving this car, especially on more rural roads. And it's given me a new perspective on traffic.

4x4_Welder · #8 01-19-2010, 10:13 PM

Another possibility that slipped my mind earlier- It very well could just be a suspension squeak. My Courier does this so bad it gets stares, and I know the 240s do that as well.

Stevo · #9 01-19-2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BodhiBenz1987

And it's given me a new perspective on traffic.

And that would probably be "DON'T PULL OUT IN FRONT OF IT"

Yes?

dantheman67 · #10 01-20-2010, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4_Welder

Another possibility that slipped my mind earlier- It very well could just be a suspension squeak. My Courier does this so bad it gets stares, and I know the 240s do that as well.

Why would the suspension squeak if the car is stationary and he applies the brakes?

dantheman67 · #11 01-20-2010, 02:54 AM

What I might suggest doing (I'm still a diesel amateur) is get a friend over, and have him listen, outside the car, and try to locate where the sound is coming from.

Lycoming-8 · #12 01-20-2010, 03:10 AM

Nothing I have read in this thread so far seems to rule out the clutch throw-out bearing. Makes a squeal when car is brought to a stop and is left in gear with clutch pedal down. Is this correct?

dantheman67 · #13 01-20-2010, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lycoming-8

Nothing I have read in this thread so far seems to rule out the clutch throw-out bearing. Makes a squeal when car is brought to a stop and is left in gear with clutch pedal down. Is this correct?

No, according to the OP it occurs AFTER the car is stopped; that is, pressing down on the brake pedal when the car is already stationary.

Lycoming-8 · #14 01-20-2010, 03:25 AM

I didn't read her description that way, so maybe if Ms. Bodhi could chime in we could clear this up.

4x4_Welder · #15 01-20-2010, 10:29 AM

As you slow, the front suspension compresses, then it returns to ride height as soon as you stop slowing down, whether that's when you simply release the brakes and continue rolling, or come to a complete stop. So, if you get a single pronounced squeak right when you come to a complete stop, it would fit.
I didn't really think of it before because I have tuned that out on my truck.