chem1441

I have new rotors and pads, but the brake pedal still isnt as "hard" as I like it. I hate having huge pedal travel before serious braking happens. Is this normal for eevryone else? Or would it help if I get the brake fluid flushed and refilled? Or any other suggestions?

root hammer

stainless steel brake lines should do the trick. I'm going to get some soon. Make sure they are dot approved, atleast that's what my repair guy says.

wnycec

check your brake fluids
if you havent already...

bbearden

The stainless steel brake lines are available on for my mercedes dot com or you can usually find them on eBay and I'm told they provide a much firmer brake pedal feel.

ToneDog614

Newbie here. I got my 2000 CLK430 a couple of months ago, and I really like the car except for the mushy brake pedal. The stopping power is there and the ABS functions, but I have to step on the pedal near half-way down before the car will start to slow down and it makes braking difficult to modulate.

I was told by the Mercedes dealer that mushy brakes are typical for this car. Since I wasn't able to drive another CLK to compare, I really couldn't argue that point, and since the brakes "worked" (that is, the car eventually does slow down and stop), I figured I would learn to live with it.

So do all CLK's have a mushy brake pedal? Pumping the pedal doesn't make any difference, so there doesn't seem to be a problem with air in the lines. Could there be a problem with the master cylinder or the boost assist? If this is just typical, what have others done to improve the brake pedal feel?

TresX

Could be as simple as air in your brake lines. A simple bleeding might do the trick.

C43AMG

I have installed them on my C43 - much firmer feel,best under $150.00 upgrade you can put on your car.

chem1441

Would the dealer put the stainless steel brake lines in? I know I cant do it myself...I barely own a hammer.... or could any shop do this?

C43AMG

Any shop can do this.

maverick5.0

the SS brake hose and flushing the brake system. if your rotors are on the thin side, your displacing more fluids thru out the braking process and you get a lower pedal because the piston calipers have to compensate for worn out pads and rotors.

ToneDog614

So, I take that to mean that the soft brake pedal is NOT normal? I initially thought that it could be air in the system, but it has been my experience on other vehicles I've owned that pumping the brake pedal would "temporarily" firm it up, but pumping the pedal on my CLK improves nothing. That is why I started to suspect the master cylinder seal or boost assist. I guess I'll have to try taking the car to a different MB dealer to get a second opinion.

platinumney

yeah those stainless steel brake lines sounds good