Intermittent Total Brake Failure
03-02-2007, 04:54 AM
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Intermittent Total Brake Failure
My 1999 C 220 CDI has covered 157k miles. Arriving at work a week ago the brake pedal was rock-hard - no perceivable braking effect and I went flying accross a roundabout at the end of a dual carriageway. Luckily no-one was coming and some furious down-changing shed enough speed to get around the roundabout.
In the car park, if I pressed very, very hard on the pedal, there was just about enough braking to gently stop the car from walking speed.
Trying the car at lunch time, the brakes were fine. ABS working in forward and reverse. I called the RAC out who suggested it may be the master cylinder and recovered the car for me.
It has since been to my local garage and an independent MB specialist. Neither can find anything wrong, the computer didn't log anything (even though at the time it put the ABS warning lamp on). The MB Specialist says the Server Vacuum pipe was kinked and worn, so they have replaced that, but can give no assurance they've fixed the problem. I'm not convinced.
Anyone had a similar problem? Any idea what to try? I may take it to yet another garage and I may get them to change the master cylinder as suggested by the RAC. Help!!!
In the car park, if I pressed very, very hard on the pedal, there was just about enough braking to gently stop the car from walking speed.
Trying the car at lunch time, the brakes were fine. ABS working in forward and reverse. I called the RAC out who suggested it may be the master cylinder and recovered the car for me.
It has since been to my local garage and an independent MB specialist. Neither can find anything wrong, the computer didn't log anything (even though at the time it put the ABS warning lamp on). The MB Specialist says the Server Vacuum pipe was kinked and worn, so they have replaced that, but can give no assurance they've fixed the problem. I'm not convinced.
Anyone had a similar problem? Any idea what to try? I may take it to yet another garage and I may get them to change the master cylinder as suggested by the RAC. Help!!!
03-03-2007, 09:10 PM
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1998 C 230
Sure sounds like the master cylinder
A master cylinder would give the conditions you have experienced among
many air bubbles in the brake lines prohibiting braking power.
There may be leaks in the caliper seal bores. Breaks, tears, or other cracks in the brake lines themselves would also amplify your problem. Have a mechanic check the complete system while up on a rack. A brake fluid flush is a must after any repairs are made in the above catagory.
Please do everyone else and yourself a favor and don't drive that vehicle until that issue is resolved, get a loaner or rent a car while its being fixed.
many air bubbles in the brake lines prohibiting braking power.
There may be leaks in the caliper seal bores. Breaks, tears, or other cracks in the brake lines themselves would also amplify your problem. Have a mechanic check the complete system while up on a rack. A brake fluid flush is a must after any repairs are made in the above catagory.
Please do everyone else and yourself a favor and don't drive that vehicle until that issue is resolved, get a loaner or rent a car while its being fixed.
