Suddenly Squishy Brakes
 

Had an odd experience with my 2001 210 wagon. Was out of town for several weeks. Car sat at home in the garage, undriven the entire time. When I returned the brakes were very soft and the pedal travel was very long. Normal driving required taking the brake pedal to within an inch or two of the floor.

The car is about due for an "A" service and brake fluid flush anyways, so I got started on the work. Rotated the tires and inspected the brake components at all four corners. No signs of any damage, flexible hoses in good shape, no fluid leaks, pads are at least 75% at all four corners, bleed valves were all tight. Brake fluid reservoir was full. Brakes were last bled 2.5 years ago.

So I bled the brakes, and all is well. Pedal feel is firm, pedal travel is short, the brakes work, well, like Mercedes brakes again.

Anyone ever experience this? Or have an explanation? In the past I've had brakes get squishy over time - a matter of years. But this has me a bit worried there is some fault in the brake system. Is there anything else which should be checked out?

Thx,

- JimY

Mention it to the service advisor, when you take your car in for "A" service. ;)

Take your car in for service? I don't understand...:confused:

- JimY

I am guessing that since your brakes had not been bled in 2&1/2 years, the moisture - which contains air - that accumulated caused the lack of solidity in the brake fluid.

I dunno, it just doesn't add up. I should note that the brake fluid change interval on newer cars is 2 years, changed from 1 year on the older cars. And I live in Dallas, it's not generally all that wet around here.

The old fluid was still the correct pale gold color and almost transparent - just a bit of cloudiness. It didn't appear to be in all that bad of shape.