While changing the rear brake pads on my 88 560 SEL, I accidentally removed the lower bolt on the caliper and some brake fluid leaked out. This is the rear driver side wheel.

I proceeded to put the new pads in, tightened the bolt I accidentally removed.

I replaced the cover of the brake fluid reservoir, started the car and pumped the brakes.

The are very very soft with a hissing sound and the Brake Light is on as well.

I removed the bleeder screw on the top of the caliper, depressed the brake pedal and some brake fluid came out. Tightened that screw right away and proceeded to pump the brakes again. With the reservoir cap CLOSED.

The brakes are still soft!!

PLEASE HELP !! What am I doing wrong or how can I correct this?

Thanks.

Takes 2 people to bleed brakes. pump up pedal with bleeder closed and hold pedal to floor then open bleeder furthest from resevoir and let air out slowly till only fluid. refill and go on to the next longest line etc untill all 4 are bled.
good luck.
A Haynes repair manual would be a good idea.

hello

just 2 cents worth.

i wouldn't hold or try to depress the peddle all the way to the floor. just give it a couple good pumps about mid stride. then hold the last one in mid stride and open the bleeder just a bit till fluid runs with no noticeable air. pump again and open the bleeder again to confirm no air. tighten down and move to the next long line which is driver side rear. each time you pump and open check the m.c. to be sure there is enough fluid to do a complete cycle. every thing should be fine.

of course if you need to do it by yourself you could invest in a pump.

tks
craig

__________________
Thanks Much!
Craig

1972 350sl Red/Blk 117k
1988 420sel charcoal/Blk 140k
1987 420sel gold/tan 128k
See My Cars at:http://mysite.verizon.net/res0aytj/index.html

Pound it to fit then Paint it to match!

There is only First Place and Varying degrees of last!

Old age and deceit will overcome Youth and Enthusiasm every time!

Putting the square peg in the round hole is not hard... IF you do it fast enough!

Old enough to know better but stupid enough to do it anyway!

Aside from proper bleeding, be sure that is your problem. Once you have no air coming with the fluid, a proper break in of the pads might be necessary. MBs are fond of having the brakes feel spongy after pad replacement especially if the old discs are reused.

Until the pads are properly worn to accomodate the disc irregularities the pedal pressure is higher than normal (for a similar stop) causing a spongy feel

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

I re-bled the brakes ..... I was bleeding them with the car turned off and that is why I couldn't get all the air out.

All is well with the brakes - whew!

As far as the broken bleeder screw .... I intend to change the caliper once the outside temperature increases.

Happy Holidays all and thanks for all your input.

Thanks!

I have been using the Eezibleed to bleed brakes for 10 years now - ABS, non-ABS - it works great, using air pressure from your spare tire to force brake fluid out by applying air pressure at the brake fluid reservoir filler cap. That and a 9mm hex socket wrench from Stahwille which comes with an attached drain hose and a lever to tighten makes the job (almost) a pleasure. (It's in their catalog but I cannot find it on their web site).

The cap fits most German cars, including my 1990 560SEL.

Make sure you deflate your tire to 20psi or so - and don't forget to reinflate it when you are done!

Once I detected leaks in the rubber plugs at the brake fluid reservoir (no wonder the brake fluid was brown), disclosed as a stream of brake fluid emanating through them, so be prepared with a used rag as paint and brake fluid do not mix.

You may be able to use this without removing the wheels if you are prepared to locate the bleed screws by reaching around underneath the car.

You only need one person to use it.