Getting parts / bleeding brakes
 

Question 1 - When I need some small part quickly I tend to buzz over to the local Benz dealer, but that never works anymore. No matter how common or maintenance oriented the part - they never stock it. Now our '91 is the most recent vehicle we own, and I seem to ALWAYS be able to find the part in stock for our Honda or Chevy van at those dealers - or they'll have it in a few hours. Why does it take days for MB to to do the same thing? Latest example - lost a pad spring clip for one of the rear brakes, and luckily found it when I returned home, since the dealer was skunked on the part. I guess if you head to the dealer for a repair, count on other transport for at least a week.

Question 2 - about the brakes. I replaced front disks and front and rear pad sets, but due to grungy-looking fluid - mostly from a deteriorated MC cap gasket - my intention was to FIRST flush the system with my new Motive pressure bleeder. This worked fine at 15 psi in the rear, but essentially not at all in the front, even at 20 psi. I did the front brakes anyway, and everything seems fine, but I would really like to flush out all the old fluid, and using the pressure method if I can. Will the MC reservoir hold more pressure? Am I doing something else wrong (eg should the engine be running)? Thanks.

Steve

The motive worked fine bleeding my 300E brakes, front and rear. You don't need engine running to bleed brakes. I would try to the old 2 person method to get the old fluid out of the fronts.

Schumi, are you saying the Motive worked for YOU to bleed the fronts? What pressure did you pump it to if so?

Steve

Gravity Drain
 

If you have a problem just open them up and let them gravity drain into a cup at each wheel at the same time...takes about 20 minutes and then pour some clean fluid in behind the dirty and when you get clean you know that the system is clean...you might get clean in front before the rears..if so shut them off and keep draining the back and keep filling the reservoir...I don't think you will have to fill it 2 times...then I use valvoline synthetic brake fluid...jim

yes it worked fine fior the fronts. i don't remember what pressure I pumped it up to, but i probably wouldn't go too much over whatever it says on the instructions on the bleeder.

Update. Little success either on the right front caliper using the 2-man, errr..., man-woman technique. The Motive worked fine on the left front, as it turns out. I don't detect any other problem with the right front caliper, so I presume the bleed passage is partially blocked. In any event, I don't think much if any air in the system right now, and what slowly dribbles out is not too awful looking, so I'll live with it until I feel like opening up the system.

Thanks for the responses!

Steve

Further update: I removed the bleeder valve from the right front caliper - little fluid dribbled out, but no evidence of air at the port. Pressing gently on the brake pedal, something felt like it 'popped' out of the way. Some brake fluid spatter around wheel well, so I replaced the bleed valve and cleaned up. Re-attached Motive pressure bleeder, and now that caliper bleeds just fine. Don't know if problem had been at the wheel cylinder or at the ABS valve unit. Brake action feels better than before, and I think normal.

Steve