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

[jhuang]

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

[David C Klasse]

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?

[Ali Al-Chalabi]

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

[jhuang]

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

[Lou Nielsen]

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

[JCE]

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.