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How does one replace the slack adjuster for the parking / emergency brake?
The return spring on the slack adjuster has broken on my 2006 w203 c2804matic. This keeps the foot operated parking brake pedal from returning all the way. Does anyone know what all has to be removed underneath the car to replace this mechanism? It appears the muffler and drive shaft may need to be dropped out of the way along with a heat shield and protective plastic covers that run under the car just to access the bolt that holds the assembly from the bottom. I could not find a removal procedure in the WIS. Item 210
If you want to access #210, remove rear seat. You will see small access panel IN THE CENTER (not the panels on either side), remove that small panel. You will see the parking brake cables and the latching mechanism.
If you want to access #210, remove rear seat. You will see small access panel IN THE CENTER (not the panels on either side), remove that small panel. You will see the parking brake cables and the latching mechanism.
Yes I am trying to remove that mechanism, but it can not be removed from the top side as it is mounted to the underside the car. I just crawled out from under the car and it appears the gas tanks will need to be dropped to allow the mounting studs of the mechanism to clear the underside. The two studs are actually part of the gas tanks. Two nuts under the back seat access panel sandwich the whole thing together.
Parking lock mechanism can be accessed from top. Remove rear seat after removing 4 nuts that hold seat down. After removing the rear seat, remove the access panel in the center. Below picture is what you will see...
Parking lock mechanism can be accessed from top. Remove rear seat after removing 4 nuts that hold seat down. After removing the rear seat, remove the access panel in the center. Below picture is what you will see...
I am not trying to just "access" the mechanism. I need to replace it. I have decided it will be easier to drill out the stud that retains the return spring and replace the stud and spring with a new one. The stud has a metric female head however it rusted to the point where it can not be removed with a hex wrench.
Parking lock mechanism can be accessed from top. Remove rear seat after removing 4 nuts that hold seat down. After removing the rear seat, remove the access panel in the center. Below picture is what you will see...
I had to fix that 7 years ago. I purchased the thing for about $200 at dealer but when I got into it it turned out it was more trouble replacing it than I wanted to commit. I ended up lubing the whole thing with lithium grease and drilling 2 small holes and fitting a standard coil spring from a hardware store to put tension on the adjuster. Like I said 7 years now and the $5 spring is still working flawlessly.
04-21-2015, 01:04 PM
