85 Euro TD brake problem - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Stevo · #1 09-30-2017, 02:48 PM

Both front calipers seem to be "pinching" the rotor to the extent that its hard to turn the front wheels with the car jacked up. I'm trying to decide the best way to approach this, try and pull the pads, which are +-90% or just pull the calipers and plan to replace them. What I'm wondering, is there anything I can do to "free' them up, on or off the car? I noticed the car not rolling too freely when I pulled it into my shop to address another problem. The car had been setting for a month or so but the calipers are really not that old. Maybe I need to drive the car a little, of course keeping an eye on the temp? Anybody else experience this sort of problem?

t walgamuth · #2 09-30-2017, 05:55 PM

Are they new pads? If not it may just be some rust build up. I'd pull the pads and take them to the grinder and take a bit of material off the edges until they slide freely.

Stevo · #3 09-30-2017, 08:35 PM

Thanks Tom, that sounds like a good plan. The pads were new when I bought the car several years ago and I haven't put that many miles on it. I have a couple rebuilt calipers if they dont come unstuck after being timed down a bit.

tdoublenastywitit · #4 10-02-2017, 08:03 AM

I hate to say it but if u google stuck calipers w123 the other website has an okay free video on it. Last i remember it is one of the few videos that he gives u the solution to the problem without making u pay him $39.95

Stevo · #5 10-02-2017, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdoublenastywitit

I hate to say it but if u google stuck calipers w123 the other website has an okay free video on it. Last i remember it is one of the few videos that he gives u the solution to the problem without making u pay him $39.95

Oh, that guy charges for his videos now? I haven't been around for a while. I see your in Seattle so I was going to ask you if you knew if "Roy" from "Benz friendz", is still around with a shop? I see you've just recently been bitten by the "MB bug" so you may have missed the "hay day" if cheap and plentiful MB parts in Seattle.

Thanks for the reply, think I'll just see what happens when I pull the pads. I have a couple "rebuild kits" that I have never used, maybe I'll do that. I usually just trade them in for rebuilts but these are new looking and the car was only sitting a couple months, under cover at that.

oldsinner111 · #6 10-02-2017, 01:53 PM

some replacement pads,I've had to grind down the paint on them.Also wire brush the caliper where they slide,and use vasaline a little.

t walgamuth · #7 10-02-2017, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

some replacement pads,I've had to grind down the paint on them.Also wire brush the caliper where they slide,and use vasaline a little.

Exactly.

Stevo · #8 10-02-2017, 04:32 PM

This brake problem was sort of a "side problem' I need a new drive shaft U joint and since the cars is a Euro 5 speed 300TD, I figured it would be a big problem. I've called a couple big DS shops on the coast here and they say they can replace the U joint and do the rebalance for around $300.00. I was suppressed they would touch an MB DS

t walgamuth · #9 10-02-2017, 05:18 PM

I might have a ds with u joint lying around. What length is needed?

Stevo · #10 10-02-2017, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I might have a ds with u joint lying around. What length is needed?

The long section is 44 inches from the outboard side of the yoke to the outboard side of the center support

The short section is 17 inches from the outboard side of the yoke to the end of the shaft.

I was thinking that the W123 "long" sections were more or less the same length and only the front sections were different which would be an easy solution to the problem, but I'm afraid thats not that case.

Stevo · #11 10-05-2017, 06:34 PM

I sent the DS to "driveshaft Service" of Portland Or, they do MB and BMW and replaced the front brake calipers and hoses.

torsionbar · #12 10-05-2017, 06:52 PM

The w123 uses fixed calipers, not floating, correct? About the only reason a fixed caliper seizes up is neglecting the brake fluid service. In a moist climate like WA, following the MB schedule of complete brake system flush every 2 years (regardless of mileage) is essential, otherwise water builds up in the fluid and rusts the entire system from the inside.

Yes the brake pads can sometimes stick in the pad box after sitting a long while, but they'll usually free themselves after driving a few miles.

Stevo · #13 10-05-2017, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by torsionbar

The w123 uses fixed calipers, not floating, correct? About the only reason a fixed caliper seizes up is neglecting the brake fluid service. In a moist climate like WA, following the MB schedule of complete brake system flush every 2 years (regardless of mileage) is essential, otherwise water builds up in the fluid and rusts the entire system from the inside.

Yes the brake pads can sometimes stick in the pad box after sitting a long while, but they'll usually free themselves after driving a few miles.

You're right about that. I used too keep up on flushing the whole system including the clutch but have become neglectful in the last few years. I need to get a new pressure bleeder as mine went south in a spray of "brake fluid" a while back. Its hard to include the clutch without the pressure bleeder.