Well, my brakes finally failed on my MB. As most know from other thread, my RR brake has been "sticking". It finally stopped, but I know my back brakes were very bad, but still had excellent stopping power.

I was told by some here that it was probably a swelled back brake line. While checking on another car I had in a shop, the mechanic looked under my MB and said it looked like those brake lines had recently been replaced and told that that if the brake pads were really worn out bad, that could be why they were sticking some, because they were compressing so low that they were not full going back out, but who knows.

Anyway, today I was driving the car home (I only drive it ONCE per week, which totals about 25 miles to keep it in good service). Brakes had been fine, but after driving 8 miles on a 4-lane without depressing the brakes, when I pressed them to make my turn, they were soft and went down much lower than normal. I was only about 2 miles from home at this point, but would have to use the brakes about 4 more times at turns. Braking power was still good, but when I pulled in the driveway, I depressed them a little harder and it feels as if only the front brakes are working now. I did not see any fluid leaking and the master cylinder is still full. Strange this happened suddenly (mushy brakes) and the fluid is still full. Could it just be where the rear brake pads are so badly worn? If new pads dont help, I will replace the hose as well, despite them looking fairly new. Are rear pad replacements on these fairly straight-forward and simple? Any special tools required?

Also, I went right after and bought new pads, but they are very small. I have not removed the wheel yet, but are the brake pads on these cars supposed to be so small? *Remember, I am used to driving big full-size 70s American cars with brake rotors as big around as a 13 inch tire.

Thanks.