Can anyone tell me whether it is difficult to change the disc brakes on a 1996 C Class ? I am handy with my hands but have not worked on cars for very many years. Now I am retired, I need to try to save some costs.

If it is within my abilities, is there a link to some instructions on how to do it on this website, or can anyone give me some basic instructions ?

Thanks.

If you go the the DIY section here groupe 42, there are instructions there.

Not much different than any domestic brake service.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
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190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
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Thanks for your advice

But unfortunately I do not quite understand. I cannot find where you mean ? What is Groupe 42 ? Under DIY, all I could find is for the E-Class, or is that the same procedure ?

But please can you explain what you mean by Group 42 ? Is it on the merecesesshop website, or somewhere else ? Sorry if I am being stupid !

Thanks

Yes, the brake system on that e-class DIY is the same as your c-class.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Thanks. That explains it !

You ought to invest in the Haynes manual 3511 for the w202 C Class if you want to start working on the car yourself.

are you replacing the pads and the discs?

Skip the Haynes manual and get the FSM from M-B on DVD or CD.

Hmmmm !

I have now bought the pads and taken off the wheel, ready to start. However ....

Firstly the vehicle featured in the E Class E420 is a lot cleaner than mine !

But to be serious, the brakes on my C Class are not the same as the E 420 W124. Before I go any further, I would appreciate some re-assurance.

They only have one sensor, like the the W210 V8 featured at the end of the DIY article. As my C Class is a W202, I assume the car is a more similar series to the W210 than the W124.

However, there is no sensor retainer spring or cover like shown on the W124 V8. The sensor wire is exposed and can easily be pulled out of its socket.

Unfortunately there are no 7 mm Allen bolts on the back of the drum either. On the back, on the side nearest the engine, there are two 13 mm hexagon bolts, and two 19 mm hexagon bolts.

I have taken some photographs which are attached to this posting. The first shows the front of the caliper, and at the top left you can just see the head of the 13 mm bolt, where it goes into a tube with what looks like a rubber compressible sleeve.

The second photo shows the 13 mm bolt and the larger 19 mm bolt.

Am I correct that the 13 mm is the one I undo to remove the caliper ? Maybe they changed the design at some time from a 13 mm hexagonal bolt to a 7 mm Allen key ?

Thanks for your help. It really is appreciated. I thought it is best to be sure that I really understand what I am doing before I start !

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