NEED TIPS, my brakes lock up
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2019
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1974 240d
NEED TIPS, my brakes lock up
Hey guys I’m a 17 year old who just purchased my first car and it is a 1974 240d. The only issue with the car is that the brakes lock up after about 10 minutes of driving it. Would this be an issue with my calipers or my master cylinder. Any tips would be greatly appreciated because I’m new to this and I have no idea what I’m doing.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 277
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From: Perth Australia
12 C200, 12 C180, 10 Fuso Warrior crew cab, 08 RTV ute, 05 Smart Fortwo cabrio, 09 Smart Fortwo
Lets start with the basics, can you do minor repairs?, if yes then jack each wheel off the ground and check if it is easy or hard to turn the wheel, from this you can determine if one or a few are binding up.
If you find one that is real tight remove the wheel and check the calipers, if it looks like they are jammed on you may have to recondition the calipers, pull the caliper off and check if you can rotate the rotor, if easy its your caliper binding ( make sure both rear wheels are off the ground when checking the rears ) when you check with caliper on and jammed it means the piston in the caliper is not returning, this could be from rust inside the caliper or piston that is stuck with crud, either way they will need replacing or reconditioning, you could try a fluid flush but it will more than likely be too late for that.
Have a look at each caliper carefully as I have seen in the past where people have fitted pads incorrectly and jammed a caliper on a angle and this has affected the braking, also look for fluid leaking, another sign the calipers need attention.
If you find one that is real tight remove the wheel and check the calipers, if it looks like they are jammed on you may have to recondition the calipers, pull the caliper off and check if you can rotate the rotor, if easy its your caliper binding ( make sure both rear wheels are off the ground when checking the rears ) when you check with caliper on and jammed it means the piston in the caliper is not returning, this could be from rust inside the caliper or piston that is stuck with crud, either way they will need replacing or reconditioning, you could try a fluid flush but it will more than likely be too late for that.
Have a look at each caliper carefully as I have seen in the past where people have fitted pads incorrectly and jammed a caliper on a angle and this has affected the braking, also look for fluid leaking, another sign the calipers need attention.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
Time to find a mechanic and watch and learn.
Brakes are too important to be your first thing you ever fix on a car if you do not know what you are doing.
Stopping is very important.
Brakes are too important to be your first thing you ever fix on a car if you do not know what you are doing.
Stopping is very important.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Sarasota, Florida
2023 E450 Cabriolet, 2019 F150 Platinum, 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T
Love your first car 
If you mechanically inclined and want to learn, there are plenty here willing to help.
Lets start with prktkljokr questions and go from there....
Mike
If you mechanically inclined and want to learn, there are plenty here willing to help.
Lets start with prktkljokr questions and go from there....
Mike
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
230/8
Yes, start by letting us know your experience. We do not want to assume you know things that you may not. Including safe procedures such as jacking and securing so you do not get hurt.
All above advice is good, but first item I would check is brake pedal free play, as locking up after getting hot is oftened caused by too little free play. Also, depending on the history of the car, it may be prudent to simply rebuild the brake system, including hoses.
Tom
All above advice is good, but first item I would check is brake pedal free play, as locking up after getting hot is oftened caused by too little free play. Also, depending on the history of the car, it may be prudent to simply rebuild the brake system, including hoses.
Tom
