- brakes not breaks
Breaks Failed on 2003 E320
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From: Ohio
2003 E320
Breaks Failed on 2003 E320
Had total breaks failure happen to me today. ABS malfunction message appeared within 3 minutes after I drove off to work, a few seconds later dashboard display flashed the red STOP NOW message. I was doing 25mph, going through the neighborhood and could stop safely.
There was no resistance in the break pedal, opened the hood to find break fluid reservoir empty. No idea how that could have happened. I'll post technicalities when I hear more from the service department at the dealership. I am thankful not to have been in an accident today.
There was no resistance in the break pedal, opened the hood to find break fluid reservoir empty. No idea how that could have happened. I'll post technicalities when I hear more from the service department at the dealership. I am thankful not to have been in an accident today.
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Had total breaks failure happen to me today. ABS malfunction message appeared within 3 minutes after I drove off to work, a few seconds later dashboard display flashed the red STOP NOW message. I was doing 25mph, going through the neighborhood and could stop safely.
There was no resistance in the break pedal, opened the hood to find break fluid reservoir empty. No idea how that could have happened. I'll post technicalities when I hear more from the service department at the dealership. I am thankful not to have been in an accident today.
There was no resistance in the break pedal, opened the hood to find break fluid reservoir empty. No idea how that could have happened. I'll post technicalities when I hear more from the service department at the dealership. I am thankful not to have been in an accident today.
Good to hear that you are ok and didn't get in accident. Would have been scary if you were on a highway. Did you have all the recall and tsb's applied to the SBC prior to this failure?
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From: Ohio
2003 E320
I followed up on all recalls. Actually had the rear breaks worked on last Nov., replaced pads and such.
I've seen a couple of older threads about SBC being the culprit in breaks failures. Seems like you are thinking I've had a similar issue. I'll surely let everyone know.
Being on the highway, in dense traffic, would be bad. But it happened in a residential neighborhood, I always see kids on bikes here. This perspective freaks me out. I think I'll drive the car again, might keep it for a couple more years. Not sure I trust the brand anymore.
I've seen a couple of older threads about SBC being the culprit in breaks failures. Seems like you are thinking I've had a similar issue. I'll surely let everyone know.
Being on the highway, in dense traffic, would be bad. But it happened in a residential neighborhood, I always see kids on bikes here. This perspective freaks me out. I think I'll drive the car again, might keep it for a couple more years. Not sure I trust the brand anymore.
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
If you're out of brake fluid, can you explain how that could have happened? It might not have anything to do with SBC.
I wonder is the dealer screwed up and the results are just now appearing.
I wonder is the dealer screwed up and the results are just now appearing.
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From: Ohio
2003 E320
Perhaps a crack in the lines or the booster cylinder. It had to be sudden. I don't believe break fluid can evaporate gradually. It is a high-pressure system, so any sloppy work done month ago would have become apparent sooner.
I am not a professional, though. All I know- I didn't hit any objects, nor had done extreme driving. Maybe you are right- then I'm going to rip them a new one.
I am not a professional, though. All I know- I didn't hit any objects, nor had done extreme driving. Maybe you are right- then I'm going to rip them a new one.
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From: Huntington NY
S560
A slow drip would not be very apparent and would take some time to bleed out. I had a similar experience with an early 80's Bronco quite some time ago. The reservoir was empty and the brake pedal hit the floor, but with pumping I was able to get some pressure. It turned out to be a leaking bleed screw on the caliper.
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Thread Starter
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From: Ohio
2003 E320
Word from the service department, is that the Hydraulic Controller failed. Failed how? It is an "internal failure" and the guy couldn't explain more. The Controller is supposed to be covered by 10 year, unlimited miles warranty.
Does this mean the E-class becomes hazardous after 10 years of use
Just in case, I asked the service guy to give me all failed parts.
Does this mean the E-class becomes hazardous after 10 years of use
Just in case, I asked the service guy to give me all failed parts.
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From: Torquay, England
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
Makes me smile when I see the poor old SBC instantly getting the blame, but what system would work when it run out of the required fluids?
I note the Maybach and SLR still use this excellent anchor system.
John the SBC fan
from sunny Torquay
I note the Maybach and SLR still use this excellent anchor system.
John the SBC fan
from sunny Torquay
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
I would assume MB would want the bad parts back if they were replaced under a warranty, to either "rebuild" or take apart to see what failed & why. The parts are exchanged for the consumer. At the very least the stuff can be recycled for some money by the dealer or manufacturer.
If you were paying (buying) the replacement parts then the removed ones would be yours.
Just a guess.
If you were paying (buying) the replacement parts then the removed ones would be yours.
Just a guess.
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BTW John... my '07 E 550 is a joy to own, and problem free! 3,000 miles on the odometer.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Jun 30, 2007 at 01:25 PM.
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"To further support you, Mercedes-Benz will extend the warranty on the hydraulic pump within the SBC/electro-hydraulic brake system to 10 years with the unlimited kilometres from the vehicle start date"
"This extended warranty does not cover any other SBC/electro-hydraulic brake system component and standard warranty terms......"
So if the mechanic is telling you that it is covered under the 10 year warranty than it is most likely that he means the sbc hydraulic pump failed since if it is not the pump it would not be covered under warranty.
Mechanic probably said controller to deflect attention from the pump. But the 10 year warranty clearly states that other parts are not covered and only the pump is.
Last edited by rieger; Jun 29, 2007 at 11:00 PM.
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
I cannot see how it could have had a slow leak, this should have been seen by a warning light for low brake fluid. Must have pumped the fluid out along with the failure?
Is there any possibility that the rear brakes were fixed with incorrect parts, making the brake cylinders come too far out and leak?
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From: Ohio
2003 E320
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
There should have been brake oil at the rear cylinders, the dealer should have recognised this. I guess it only could have happened from a too worn rotor and/or very thin brake pads (but new pad cannot be too thin). And even worn rotors with new pads should work better than old (even if the old ones were OEM) pads before the rear service.
The leak must have been elsewhere. Since I assume you did not get any low brake oil warning before the big bang, the brake oil must have disappeared from the broken SBC pump, I wonder if that is possible?
PS. did you get some detailled info from konigstiger, could you let me know the document numbers (PM if you don't want to put them here), I'd like to learn what I should watch after on my W211.
The leak must have been elsewhere. Since I assume you did not get any low brake oil warning before the big bang, the brake oil must have disappeared from the broken SBC pump, I wonder if that is possible?
PS. did you get some detailled info from konigstiger, could you let me know the document numbers (PM if you don't want to put them here), I'd like to learn what I should watch after on my W211.
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
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So if the mechanic is telling you that it is covered under the 10 year warranty than it is most likely that he means the sbc hydraulic pump failed since if it is not the pump it would not be covered under warranty. Mechanic probably said controller to deflect attention from the pump. But the 10 year warranty clearly states that other parts are not covered and only the pump is.
