Sticking brake again! W126 rear brakes! - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

86560SEL · #16 11-16-2009, 07:45 PM

Thanks. Well, NO auto parts store has the caliper in stock and it will be tomorrow afternoon before they can even get one in if I ordered it... so I am going to have to drive the car on two 20 mile trips. Ugh. I will not need the car again until Sunday, so if I can make it through tomorrow, I will be OK, as I can work on it later this week.

I was able to easily roll the car back and forward freely tonight when I came home to check it and it didnt seem like the brake was stuck at that point, whereas before you could easily tell it was sticking.

The rear hoses dont look that old, but I guess they could be. I guess its cheaper to replace that first and see if that eliminates the problem?

Thanks

tinypanzer · #17 11-16-2009, 09:10 PM

Well, the hoses are only like $20, but no sense in throwing parts at problem. Take the hoses off, and see how hard it is to blow through them. They can look fine on the outside, and be totally collapsed inside.

If you can blow through them easily, that ain't the problem. If it's like blowing through a cigarette, then they're shot. Seen it in lots of cars over the years, but haven't seen it personally on a W126, though a friend of mine claims he has.

86560SEL · #18 11-17-2009, 12:13 AM

Thats great. Well, since the hoses are so inexpensive, I may replace the hoses first. They appear easy to replace. Well see!

Hopefully I can make those two short trips in the car tomorrow with little fanfare.

Thanks.

86560SEL · #19 11-24-2009, 07:14 PM

Curses. They apparently sold me the wrong hose, as its MUCH shorter than the one on the car.

The hose that is on there looks like it was replaced not too long ago, but I could be wrong. When I call these auto parts shops, they ask me what kind of caliper it has and lists off three different ones (one they say is bendix)... how in the heck am I supposed to know which one it is?

Still sticking some, as I can smell it. Oh well.

Hose that is on there now...

sold me...

The rotor has a 2003 date on it... still looks OK. MB caliper, may be original? Who knows...

Probably not the best place to place the jack, but the "pad" is gone off of the right rear jack area and I assume this was the frame, but I notice this has caused a slight indention in that area after I let it down... oh well.

Oh well... the jack had chipped up the area where the pad supposed to be...

dhjenkins · #20 11-24-2009, 09:28 PM

Have you at least tested to see how easy it is to push the piston(s) back into the calipers? What about bleeding? With the master cylinder cover off and the bleeder valve loose, does it drain out nice and fast or just trickle out? What color is the fluid that comes out?

If you're short on cash, you might want to do some testing before you go parts shopping. You're not going to feel too bright after replacing the hoses, caliper, rotor, etc... only to find out you've got a sticky proportioning valve or something clogging one of the ABS solenoids.

86560SEL · #21 11-24-2009, 09:56 PM

No, sure didnt. I am not that knowledgable on such matters. I just have been told that it was likely the caliper or the brake hose had collapsed inside. I thought I would do the hose first since it was the cheapest... the caliper is much more costly than the hose... too bad they didnt sell me the right hose. I am not sure what caliper name they are looking for... they keep asking what caliper I have... all I know is it has a Mercedes symbol on it, but when they ask me, they list three different calipers, but none of them are Mercedes.

Its agitating for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhjenkins

Have you at least tested to see how easy it is to push the piston(s) back into the calipers? What about bleeding? With the master cylinder cover off and the bleeder valve loose, does it drain out nice and fast or just trickle out? What color is the fluid that comes out?

If you're short on cash, you might want to do some testing before you go parts shopping. You're not going to feel too bright after replacing the hoses, caliper, rotor, etc... only to find out you've got a sticky proportioning valve or something clogging one of the ABS solenoids.

tinypanzer · #22 11-24-2009, 10:15 PM

Please remember, I didn't say that it was one or the other! I said it was worth checking the hoses by blowing through them. Nothing more.

I'd hate to see you waste money and time, but the hoses are cheap enough I guess.

Good luck

86560SEL · #23 11-24-2009, 10:21 PM

No, it wasnt just you... it was others as well. I was not even 100% sure how to get the hose off... I guess both ends simply turn with a wrench of that size.

I may end up selling it anyway, I just wanted to get this fixed... brakes have been about the only problem this car has give me and its always that right rear. It did this before, then when I replaced the pads, it stopped for awhile, but since the weather has turned cool again (in the 60s and below) it seems to have started back up. Seems to be outdoor temperature related, unless its just a coincidence. It dont always stick either.

Maybe a new owner, someone that knows more about these Mercedes may have better luck than I have had. I just dont have time or money to blow on this and that to get it fixed. I am having that current problem with my Lexus... the power steering system has been giving me a fit and costing me a fortune. I have been told its this and that, then no one knows, then I replace and clean this and that. I was able to get the leak fixed though... myself.

I am now awaiting the arrival of a new rack solenoid... another guessing game. Hopefully it is my stiff steering issue.

Thanks for the info/replies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinypanzer

Please remember, I didn't say that it was one or the other! I said it was worth checking the hoses by blowing through them. Nothing more.

I'd hate to see you waste money and time, but the hoses are cheap enough I guess.

Good luck

mramay · #24 11-25-2009, 09:13 AM

Changing the rear hoses with the "new" rear caliper is a good idea - one less thing to worry about later.

I just rebuilt a rear caliper on my son's '83 380SEL and it was fairly easy. That car is a CA car, now in Vegas, so these is no rust anywhere. The caliper assembly was dirty and greasy (leaking seal), but in great condition. The pistons were not rusted at all. New seals, clean everything, put it back together. If your car is a rust free example (and previous owners changed out the brake fluid fairly often so it didn't get too much water in it and rust the caliper pistons), then a rebuild is easy.

Here's something important. The rear portion of the brake reservoir is surprisingly small. If you don't use a pressure bleed mechanism, then top off the reservoir after only three (3) "down - up" bleeds!! Otherwise you will suck air into the lines and have to start all over again. Three pumps, top it off, repeat.

daw_two · #25 11-25-2009, 02:25 PM

Someone mention my name? I do have some used calipers....if you are still in need.