W202 - How do I eliminate all that up-front brake travel?
 

One of the few things about our car that's been annoying me is the excessive brake pedal travel that occurs before a firm pedal is reached. It seems to be symptomatic on newer MBs.

Compared to the immediate, rock-hard pedal in my '98 Carrera, it's really hard to modulate the brakes during stop-and-go traffic particularly.

I also hear a quiet "whoosh" from the footwell when pressing the brake pedal in a bit while stopped/idling.

Is there any way to make the brake response more immediate with less travel up front?

Thanks!

John

Make sure your brake fluid is at the proper level.

Although others state this is not possible, I also notice firmer brake pedal action with new brake pads. Are they almost in need of new ones?

This seems to be normal for all new MBs. It is not physically possible for a brake pad change alone to affect pedal firmness.

Ali, David,

Thanks for your replies.

Is this symptom a result of brake assist?

I know this would be overkill, but could a swap of master cylinders (if even technically possible) to another type (say, one for a BMW) fix this?

Thanks!

John

Make sure that your wheel bearings do not have excessive free play.

A number of people have mentioned that stainless steel brake lines firms up pedal feel on their w124/w201 cars. I haven't seen anything about w202 models, or if this will diminish brake pedal travel as well.