Vehicle Stuck In Garage!!!!!!!! Help!!!!!!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

RETSNAM74 · #1 03-26-2005, 11:42 PM

I Have A 1997 E420. It Seems As Though The Brakes Are Stuck! The Last Time I Could Move It, The Car Made A Clicking Noise As I Drove From The Driveway. I Immediately Drove Back To My Garage To Check For Loose Studs. (i Did Use The Parking Brake When I Jacked The Vehicle To Remove The Wheels Recently).the Following Day, I Tried Moving The Vehicle. This Is When I Discovered This Problem.. If I Try Backing Up, The Car Moves Slightly In An Upward Manner, As Is I Am Backing Over A Parking Block Or So. Previous To Now, I Have Driven W/o Any Problem. Is There Some Sort Of Parking Brake Adjustment For This Model That May Alleviate This Problem?? If Anyone Can Assist, I Would Definitely Be Grateful. If You Can Send A Picture Or Two, So I'd Know Exactly What To Look For, That Would Be Great!

-thanx!

bwheitman · #2 03-27-2005, 10:07 AM

What did you do when you removed the wheels? If you put in reverse and the rear of the car moves up slightly that is because the torque is causing the suspension to move up because the rear wheels are locked, this is normal, but the fact that you have dis-engaged your parking brakes and you now can not move your car is a problem. Determine which wheel is locked. Jack up the car and once you have it figured out you can go from there. If the front is locked as well it is a driving brake issue, if just the rears then it could just be the parking brake. There is a cable that goes into each wheel, the cable has a split in it usually under/above the drive shaft and you can make adjustments here and even disconnect it entirely. once the engagement is released you should be able to turn the wheel. If you can release the brake here and get the wheel free it is just an external adjustment required. If not then it will require removal of the wheels and removal of the hub. The parking brakes are located behind the rotor and I would guess it has either been adjusted out too tight or a failure has occured, like the adjuster fell out from between the shoes and caused it to lock. Trace the cable down, disconnect it to see if you can free the wheels, if not then your going to have to remove the wheels and if the brakes are locked to that extreme you may have a problem removing the hub/rotor. Let us know if it is the driving brake or the parking brake. Good luck

190edude · #3 03-27-2005, 10:14 AM

I had a similar problem but not as severe. Car was bogging down like it was pulling alot of weight. Took the rear wheel off and took the rotor off and all the emergency brake parts fell out on the ground. I just took the parts and bagged them until I can get the car to the shop.

RETSNAM74 · #4 03-27-2005, 11:34 AM

I initially removed the wheels to install new wheel studs. When I jacked the rear end of the vehicle, I put the car in neutral & in drive. Both rear wheels seem to be locked!

With regard to the cable that goes into each wheel, that has a split in it under/above the drive shaft, should it disconnect it entirely? If I do, I presume the parking is rendered inoperable.

-Thanx!

bwheitman · #5 03-27-2005, 11:43 AM

Do you mean new lug bolts? Are you using aftermarket wheels? Or a spacer? Do you have wheel lug bolts that are not MB? If so the lug bolts may be too long and will interfere with the turning of the wheel. I would pull each wheel off, try turning the wheel without the wheel installed. Check the legth of the threads on your old lug bolts vs the new, you may have a problem there.
B

RETSNAM74 · #6 03-27-2005, 12:56 PM

Yes, they are new aftermarket lug bolts (12x1.5 39mm shank) that measure the same length as the stock & I'm using aftermarket wheels. I wil pull each wheel off, and try turning the wheel without the wheel installed. Maybe, this may be the problem!

-Thanx!

speace · #7 03-27-2005, 02:56 PM

I expect Brian nailed the problem, but just removing the wheels may not free up the bind. If the lug bolts are too long for the new wheels, the damage has been done, and the parking brake mechanisms have been mauled.

I had to come up with special length lug bolts when I swapped my wheels too.

This is an all-too-common problem. The key is to measure the amount of threaded bolt that sticks through on the original wheels and duplicate that with the bolts used on the new wheels. Using a bolt that is too long will damage the rear parking brake, and too short will either not reach, or will be a safety issue.

Good luck!

Larry Delor · #8 03-27-2005, 06:42 PM

You didn't accidentally leave the parking brake on, did you?

(I know, sounds dumb, but you do want to eliminate all possibilities....especially the cheaper ones)

RETSNAM74 · #9 03-27-2005, 07:13 PM

Gentlemen,
Brian, you were correct with regard to the lugs. I remove & re-installed a shorter lug & the wheels turn freely. Also, the parking brake holds & releses without problem. I do hear some light scraping when I had the vehicle's rear jacked & depressed the accelerator. It sounds like some debris. Hopefully, when I drive it around the block, the scraping will cease.

If not, what must I do to clear the debris? Remove the rotors, I presume.
Please advise & I truly appreciate the attentiveness from all of you gentlemen.
I'll be sure to let you know if the scraping ceases.

-Thanx!

RETSNAM74 · #10 03-27-2005, 10:44 PM

All seems to be well. The scraping has minimized however, I can hear an intermittent squeal similar to brake sensors. I guess I will have to remove the rotor to see what is causing the squeal.

If anyone has any other suggestions, please chime in.

-Thanx!

RETSNAM74 · #11 04-06-2005, 06:52 PM

I removed the rear caliper. Can anyone help me with the play by play of removing the rear rotors on the "97 E420?

speace · #12 04-06-2005, 09:10 PM

I've done it several times, but not recently enough for it to be fresh on my mind.

I think I recall it being much like a front rotor. Isn't there a little hex head screw somewhere in the bolt circle? If I'm remembering correctly, you remove that retainer screw and the rotor/drum assembly just pulls off providing the caliper is out of the way and there isn't much rust on the hub.

lizem100 · #13 04-06-2005, 09:29 PM

Good Advice Brian Heitman!

RETSNAM74 · #14 04-07-2005, 08:57 PM

SPEACE,

I removed a little hex head screw in the bolt circle and removed the caliper. What size is the tool used remove the 12 point nut in the center of the rotor?

-THANX!

pesuazo · #15 04-07-2005, 09:04 PM

If you removed the hex screw, that's it.
Just try to pull the disc out (may need some hammering)