300 SDL Parking Brake - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

probear · #1 06-07-2009, 08:46 PM

Quick question. Parking brake pedal did not come completely back up. Now, pedal goes all the way down.

Question I need to know is (1) does the pedal mechanism have a built in return spring or is it somewhere else in the system?

Thanks,

mplafleur · #2 06-07-2009, 11:34 PM

I have to do the same thing as I have the same problem.

I just looked at the FSM. Group 42, section 510 - 540.

There is a return spring under the car and an adjustment screw that you are supposed to turn in to take up the slack in the cables..

pawoSD · #3 06-08-2009, 12:35 AM

Two of our W126's have the same issue....

I've noticed on those that one of the return springs underneath is....missing....so the mechanism is crooked, and does not work right. On mine the pedal stays in the middle, and does not actuate the brake when applied, nor can you get the pedal back up even if you pull it, it just springs back to the middle.

Eventually I will take it all apart and see what the deal is.....When I park on a hill I just turn a tire against the curb.

Or use a rock under the wheel.

mplafleur · #4 06-10-2009, 08:39 AM

I crawled under the car the other night. There was about 1 inch of travel left on the adjustment screw. I used a 13mm socket on a long extension and turned it in about half an inch. Now the pedal is at the top and the Brake light is no longer on.

tbomachines · #5 06-10-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Two of our W126's have the same issue....

I've noticed on those that one of the return springs underneath is....missing....so the mechanism is crooked, and does not work right. On mine the pedal stays in the middle, and does not actuate the brake when applied, nor can you get the pedal back up even if you pull it, it just springs back to the middle.

Eventually I will take it all apart and see what the deal is.....When I park on a hill I just turn a tire against the curb.

Or use a rock under the wheel.

Same on my 126, I don't usually use the parking brake though so it doesn't bother me. The only time I'll use the parking brake is if I have the front up on ramps, then I'll do the e-brake plus big ol' chocks. The only annoying thing is that the brake warning light will brightly illuminate if the pedal is ever so slightly not fully retracted.

rosenfe · #6 06-10-2009, 11:12 AM

my 87 sdl has the same problem,but i do not think 86-87 sdl is the same as an 80s sd 126.ive ordered shop manual to get a better idea of e brake cable path.i have been told by several indy shops that often e brake pedal snag is cable problem.

probear · #7 06-10-2009, 11:26 AM

FYI.....I found the problem. After checking out the return spring and surrounding mechanisms, I determined that they were apparently OK.
I removed the underdash sound panel, and checked the actual parking brake, and that's when I found the broken end of the cable.

So, it's now time to replace the brake cable. Yippee.....

Most of the information on AllData seems easy enough to follow with the exception of removal of the center console.

rosenfe · #8 06-10-2009, 03:08 PM

ive been trying to get info on r+r cable for a while,can u share your info,or is alldata available for anyone costly?

pawoSD · #9 06-30-2009, 10:28 PM

Looks like I'll be replacing at least one front parking brake cable soon, the one on my dad's SD snapped today, and I think mine is messed up or stretched....