Recently I used the parking brake on my 2002 C230 Sport Coupe. The pedal went all the way to the floor and would not hold the car on a slight incline. I rarely use the brake so was surprised that it was so weak. I took it to the dealer thinking that the adjustment might be under warrantee. NOPE! They looked at the shoes and said they were in good shape. They told me that they would need to adjust the cable and the only way to do it was to remove the driveshaft (2.6 hours of labor) !!!!!! I told them NO.

Is there an alternative way to make this adjustment. Having a non functioning parking/emergency brake is not in my best interests.

Appreciate any help that you can give me.

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Jim Loseke
1980 450Sl "Black Beauty"
2002 C230 Kompressor "Spicy"

Is the car still under warranty?

Emergency brake is not a wear item like the brake components of the cars braking system, I would guess.

If the car is still under warranty and the emergency brake is not working and the shoes aren't glazed from driving with the emergency brake on.
Then I would ask for the dealership to tell you in writing it is not covered then file a complaint with NHTSA - you can do that right on line.

I finally got the car up on ramps to look at the offending parking brake assembly. I couldn't help but notice that thier was an access panel above the mechanism. I pulled out the back seat and took off the panel and 15 minutes later I had a fully functioning rear parking brake. It turns out that one of the cables connecting the assembly had come out of the adjusting mechanism leaving all of the braking to come from one wheel only.

What is with these dealers? I can't believe that they tried to sell me a 2.6 hour job that would have taken them 15 minutes. Can't say that I will take my car back there again.

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Jim Loseke
1980 450Sl "Black Beauty"
2002 C230 Kompressor "Spicy"

Jim Loseke - how did you remove the back seat and find the "access panel"?

He probably doesn't remember since he did it nearly ten years ago.......