Brakes caught fire 1999 C280 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #1 12-24-2007, 10:50 PM

I'd bet on the E brake being stuck on.

As Roy said above get a set of rebuilt calipers, brake houses and flush out the fluid.

I'd repack the wheel bearings as well, I bet the grease is cooked.

t walgamuth · #2 12-25-2007, 12:03 AM

Did you see where the flames were coming from?

I third the thought that the e brake was on.

Tom W

JCE · #3 12-25-2007, 12:26 AM

If the brakes got hot enought to discolor the wheels, then the aluminum wheels and the tires are probably toast, excuse the pun. The heat may have changed the alloy wheel characteristics and weakened the rims, and quite possibly damaged the tire beads as well, according to the following articles:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb4761/is_200506/ai_n17348964

http://www.alcoa.com/alcoawheels/south_america/en/info_pages/technical_desg.asp

do a search on google for the terms: aluminum, wheel, heat , failure, tires, etc.

idigital · #4 12-25-2007, 01:01 AM

Thanks guys for the replies. I will take off the rotors on the day after Christmas and check the e-brake. If they look ok, then I know that it wasn't the e-brake. Wife has had this car for about 5 years so I think she knows the check the e-brake.... Or atleast I hope so.

She said that she pulled the e-brake release several times and it didn't do anything, so it may be a caliper problem. The rims aren't in bad shape. It was a bunch or dirt and the fire extinghuser powder that gave a yellowish brown color. I rubbed it off and it pretty much silver still. How much do re-built calipers for the rear cost for a 99 C280? I hope to find more answer once I remove the rotors. Speaking of rotors. These are the hardest rotors that I have ever had to remove. hehehe. I will have to break out the rubber mallet on these. I didn't see the flames myself. My wife did, and my neighbor did. Both are women, so they will simply say the tire was on fire. It was kind of funny. Wife pulled up, neighbor yelled at her that her car was on fire. Wife jumps out and panics. There spray the fire out and are all emotional. I then call her cell to find out where she is and she says that she is home and that the car was on fire. I run out thinking the worse and all I was able to see was the steam coming off the rotor while they were spraying it down. I was in the bedroom when all of this was happening and I heard the comotion but I thought it was just the neighborhood kids being loud. Thanks again guys.

whunter · #5 12-25-2007, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idigital

How much do re-built calipers for the rear cost for a 99 C280?

Vehicle: 1999 Mercedes Benz C 280 Sedan

Brake Caliper, Front Left
MB# 0014202983

Brake Caliper, Right Front
MB# 0014203083

Brake Caliper, Rear Left
MB# 1294200283

Brake Caliper, RIGHT REAR
MB# 1294200383

I strongly recommend you Call with your VIN# to verify part# before ordering.

.

ozawa · #6 12-25-2007, 02:32 AM

my advice...do not buy reman calipers. pay the money for brand new. tried remans for my w116...lasted about a year before they started to leak. went brand new and all is good.

at work we have stopped using ANY reman brake/ clutch hydraulic component. the brake system is nowhere to be trying to save a few bucks.

ILUVMILS · #7 12-25-2007, 11:01 AM

I've seen this type of failure several times, on a variety of MB's. Don't ask me how it happens, but the master cylinder can fail in such a way as to cause exactly the problem you've experienced. In each of the cases I've seen, it was the rear brakes which were affected, and the problem began after several miles of driving. A few years back I learned this the hard way. Replace the master cylinder, brake hoses, calipers, rotors, and parking brake shoes/hardware. While you've got eveything apart, make sure the the cables aren't binding. The heat generated can cause damage elsewhere, so look over everything carefully!