Slight roll when in park - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Cal Ratcliff · #1 10-17-2004, 08:44 PM

I have a 1994 E320 Cab (124 chassis) and when I stop and put the car in park I often get a slight roll before it catches and stops.

My question is whether I have a transmission problem or does it really need to roll several inches for the next tooth in the gear to catch?

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Ethan · #2 10-17-2004, 08:59 PM

First, and no matter what stories you hear from people that tell you they never us the emergency brake with their automatics, USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.
Automatics do pop out of PARK.
And the greatest protect from damaging your transmission from a bump by another car when parked is having the parking brake activated.

nglitz · #3 10-17-2004, 09:05 PM

This is perfectly normal. If your cr is bumped while in park, the cog will skip a tooth ot two with no damage. The guys who designed the transmission were smart enough to think of this.

That said, it's not at all a bad idea to have the PARKING brake set.

chazola · #4 10-17-2004, 09:14 PM

Mine rolls a little in 'P' too- I was a bit freaked out untill I read it's normal on Mercs.

When you learn to drive in the uk, you are taught to use the parking/emergency/handbrake at stops longer than a few seconds- so if someone bumps you from behind and your foot slips off the pedal you still have the emergency brake on.
Also, with most cars being manual, control using the clutch and handbrake is one of the main things you have to master.

I make it a habit to use the parking brake and put the car into N at any long stops now. This of course is probably force of habit tho...

pcmaher · #5 10-18-2004, 11:18 AM

I too was surprised by the roll distance before the pawl engaged in park on my 95 S600. The distance rolled is quite a bit longer than any other car I owned. I do not use the parking brake, because I do not know if it was used regularly during the life of the car. The car has 130,000 miles on it, and I'm afraid the parking brake might jam if I use it now. I've had that happen before, and I don't want it to happen again.

Cal Ratcliff · #6 10-18-2004, 08:45 PM

Thanks for all of the reassurances! I feel better now that I know it is normal and not a transmission problem.

I will also start using my parking break more often.

Thanks!

cubanbaptist · #7 10-18-2004, 09:05 PM

For what it's worth, I make a point to engage the parking brake, THEN put the car in park. Not the other way around. The car has little to no roll when I carry out the steps in the above order. However, there is still a roll when I put in park THEN engage parking brake.

Also, my mechanic makes a point to tighten the parking brake belt (whatever it is) when I bring the car in. I always notice that I only get 1 click out of the pedal, rather than 4 or 5 clicks after several months of engaging and disengaging.

deanyel · #8 10-18-2004, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal Ratcliff

I will also start using my parking break more often.

I suggest using it every time you put the car in park - it's a very easy habit to get into - your arm doesn't go forward until your foot has gone down. Then you release it at the same time you take it out of park.

chazola · #9 10-19-2004, 01:19 PM

I know it's a little bit off topic, but the 'footbrake' is one of my least favourite 124 'quirks', I don't know about anyone else out there, but I would much prefer a handbrake like the 190 has- the parking brake release handle makes a helluva 'CLANG!' when I release it.

nglitz · #10 10-19-2004, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chazola

I would much prefer a handbrake ...

Me too.

Oh well.

deanyel · #11 10-19-2004, 05:04 PM

A handbrake is so much more efficient too - it's closer to the rear wheels and sits in the center of the car. The MB thinking must be that a leg is stronger than an arm. You can put the car in park with your hand and put the brake on at the same time. But the darn thing is virtually worthless on a hill in San Francisco - which would be downright dangerous with a stick.

Phalcon51 · #12 10-19-2004, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chazola

I know it's a little bit off topic, but the 'footbrake' is one of my least favourite 124 'quirks', I don't know about anyone else out there, but I would much prefer a handbrake like the 190 has- the parking brake release handle makes a helluva 'CLANG!' when I release it.

If you want to eliminate the "CLANG!", just press on the parking brake pedal with moderate pressure, then pull the brake release handle and let the pedal up all the way with your foot.