Damn brakes - 116 280S

[chinny4290]

So I was pulling into my block (thankfully) coming from a short trip to the market, car only did short trips) and as I was braking, brakes gave in completely.

Had to drive a quarter of a mile on the E brake.

So obviously something burst. As far as I'm concerned the entire system is original. Something I was trying to hold off on since they functioned properly.

Anyway, is the leak from an obviously place, like a brake line? How much in parts and labor would I be looking at if I used a mechanic vs doing it myself with my uncle.

thanks guys.

[mbgingerbread]

Hello
Good to have a working E brake..
I have a 71 280se which I just finished doing some major brake work on. The brake lines I used were available from NAPA. According to posts here the line ends are bubble flare which is a European spec. I made a couple of flares with my bubble flare tool before I got the hang of it. You have to adjust the line in the flare tool to match the bubble size.
Finding your problem is just a matter of elimination. My car has 2 circuits-one for front and the other for rear. You need to check your master cylinder-this could be bad although I would think you should be able to see the leaking fluid.
Otherwise, have a friend look for the leak after you top off the master cylinder and keep your vehicle off a painted floor.

[280EZRider]

If the brakes have been bled regularly, chances are the problem is with a rubber hose, master and/or caliper - and not in the metal lines. I would replace all 4 rubber lines and, if money is a consideration, rebuild the MC and all calipers - assuming no pitting.

[pop & blow]

Hello there any brakes in the northeast prone to road salt is a problem sooner or later, number 1 brake fluid should be changed every two to three years or moisture can be a problem from the inside out so road salt on the outside and moisture on the inside sooner or later gets you . you can make up new brake lines your self order cufner brake lines from fedallhill online and get new fittings and brake line in 25 and fifty foot rolls and fittings 25 foot will do the whole car I do them all the time, the cufner line bends very easly and it it used in europe will not corrode and is dot compliant and a very good product you can bend this stuff with you hands very easly. look up federal hill brake lines online and give them a call ship very fast and very helpful as to what you need mercedes takes 4.75 line, bubble flares.you can put a union at the front and run a new brake line all the way to the back drivers side to a t and then it goes to each rear wheel, if its the front lines one goes on the firewall to the passenger side, and a short one to the drivers side from the master cyl.

[cmbdiesel]

First step is to find the wet spot. I agree with previous poster, brake line would be my first guess. Crawl around under the car and look. if you haven't ever replaced brake lines, bringing it to your local indy shouldn't cost you a firstborn son, as it is a very common job anywhere it snows.

[thorsen]

I'd like to place $5 on an internal failure of the master cylinder, most likely the internal pistons/seals are shot.