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On my 2004 C320, the Emergency Brake Release Handle will not retract back all the way after the brake has been released. One needs to push it back approx. 1/3 of the distance, until it rests flush on the dash. How can I put more tension on this handle, so it will retract all the way back after releasing the brake? Almost feels like there is a spring in there that could be weak? Many thanks in advance, your help is as always much appreciated.
The video posted in post #3 is for adjusting the amount of travel in the parking brake pedal (ie number of clicks) before the parking brake is comfortably engaged. I found my pedal almost sank to the floor. To reduce the travel, adjust the large nut in the middle of the box. This is the rectangular hatch under the middle of the rear seat.
Parking brake pedal travel adjustment
As for the OP's problem, the pull handle release spring broke. Super easy fix.
The PN is 202-993-20-10. It hooks into a plastic linkage connected to the back of the handle and connects it into a hole in the frame assembly. The part was under $1. Literally the cheapest part you will ever buy at the dealership. Even the parts guy had to do a double take at the price. No disassembly required either. The spring is in plain sight.
The video in post #2 shows the spring in question, and the guy operates the mechanism and stretches the spring at 0m59s.
Just make sure you get both broken pieces out of the cabin. The edges are sharp.
Photo below shows the broken spring before I replaced mine. The hooked end that broke off was on the floor.
Parking brake release handle spring
Last edited by slammer111; 03-01-2022 at 03:15 PM.
The video posted in post #3 is for adjusting the amount of travel of the pedal (ie number of clicks) before the parking brake is comfortably engaged. I found my pedal almost sank to the floor. To reduce the travel, adjust the large nut in the middle of the box. This is the rectangular hatch under the middle of the rear seat. Parking brake pedal travel adjustment As for the OP's problem, the pull handle release spring broke. Super easy fix. The PN is 202-993-20-10. It hooks into the back of the handle (or something connected to the back of the handle), and connects it into a hole in the frame assembly. The part was under $1. Literally the cheapest part you will ever buy at the dealership. Even the parts guy had to do a double take at the price.  No disassembly required either. The spring is in plain sight. Just make sure you get both broken pieces out of the cabin. The edges are sharp. Photo below shows the broken spring before I replaced mine. The other piece was on the floor. Parking brake release handle spring
Excellent, thanks very much slammer. Now, ....... Do you have any hints, advice or words of wisdom in regards to the replacement of the spring? How do I access it? Through the front by removing the handle, or the side fuse panel? Thanks in advance.
The spring is just above your L ankle in the seated position. Just pop your head down there and you'll see it. You do not have to remove anything at all. In fact, if you reach down there while in the driving position, you can probably touch it.
I'd recommend using a pair of pliers to wiggle the 2 hook ends into place, but even that may not be necessary. To answer your question, the spring is accessed from below.
The giant curved metal piece in the photo is the parking brake pedal.
The spring is just above your L ankle in the seated position. Just pop your head down there and you'll see it. You do not have to remove anything at all. In fact, if you reach down there while in the driving position, you can probably touch it. I'd recommend using a pair of pliers to wiggle the 2 hook ends into place, but even that may not be necessary. To answer your question, the spring is accessed from below. The giant curved metal piece in the photo is the parking brake pedal.
Thank you again Sir. And from there, you pull it and hook the opposite site in the back of the plastic handle?
Correct. The broken spring is "pointed" downwards in the photo. The proper position is upwards. If you look upwards from the position of the spring there will be some kind of plastic piece with a hole in it. It'll be very obvious once you look there, as the piece will move up and down as you jiggle the pull handle. Trust me, there's only 1 place where the other end can go.
Last edited by slammer111; 02-28-2022 at 09:23 AM.
Just noticed that in the video in post #2 the spring in question can be clearly seen. The guy even activates the mechanism and stretches the spring at 0m59s. Hope that answers your questions. Good luck.
Last edited by slammer111; 03-01-2022 at 03:15 PM.
Glad to help.  Just noticed that in the video in post #2 the spring in question can clearly be seen. The guy even activates the mechanism and stretches the spring at 0m59s. Hope that answers your questions. Good luck. 
Installed the new spring today, which cost me $2.04 at the dealership, welcome to California. Works like a champ, installation was, as slammer had said, easy peasy. Once again slammer, thank you very much for your assistance as well as expert advice, much appreciated.
Bro honestly i disassembled mine. It was a headache everytime if fix it, it would get stuck again. I'm assuming i had a bad spring but where i live there aren't much hills anyway. I made the decision to take it apart after damn near getting stuck at Walmart after hours because it was engaged and the lever would not release it fully.
02-25-2022, 10:56 PM
No disassembly required either. The spring is in plain sight.
