soccerg201

Just hit 20k on my 2009 E550. I do most of my own maintenance and am going through the sheet and it says to replace brake fluid every 20k. Would you do it? If not when should I? Thanks
Pat

dblankenbaker

Do it when it *starts* to turn dark.

mtrevelino

I would say every two years regardless of mileage.
Mike...

e550SF

what kind of brake fluid do you guys use?

Frasmat

+1

petep86

atleast u dont got SBC. i want to flush mine too but im so confused with this SBC and i dont wanna upset it, bc it might cost me a couple grand..

anyone got tips on flushing SBC?

mtrevelino

I could be completely wrong, but the sbc is just another unit in line with the abs unit. I would think that you would have to power flush the brake system from the master cylinder down to each wheel. It should be the same procedure as in vehicles with just abs systems.
Mike....

lkchris

But of course it's not, and STAR is required.

lkchris

http://www.brakestrips.net/tech_dirty_secret.htm

lkchris

See http://www.brakestrips.net/docs/indu...guidelines.pdf

CharlyE500

I never thought at 20K. It should be at 50K and flash the Cooling in the same time.

Vik888

If you're doing the work yourself, do what MB recommends on "the sheet" ... i mean they only BUILT it .. what do they know, right?

mtrevelino

Thanks Kent for keeping me straight! This is my first Mercedes, so I am trying to come up on speed with this vehicle.
Mike T.

Benzo 003

A member in another forum recommends this....

http://store.motiveproducts.com/shar...ount2=92383980

along with ATE gold brake fluid.

His instructions were to pressurize the unit and open each caliper bleeder screw individually until the air bubbles were out of the line. The ATE fluid is a different color and is apparently obvious when the new fluid is flushed through.
The OP suggested to open the furthest screw from the master cylinder first and so on....

vettdvr

If your car has SBC brakes use only MB Approved brake fluid.

Any non approved fluid might give MB reason to decline any warranty claims on the 10 yr SBC extended warranty.

Check the owners manual. I bought my fluid from mercedes to prevent any issues.

MB211

Wouldn't you care more that the fluid may not work properly with the system, than the warranty......I guess its only brakes, those aren't that important.....

vettdvr

Perhaps that is why I recommend following Mercedes SBC fluid recommendations. I really don't have time or money to investigate and test other fluids when the MB fluid is approved and works.

Sorry your brakes arent' important enough to use approved fluids.

I'm sure you have enough information to solve your issues.

Bye!

CharlyE500

The indy shop here quorted $80 with original Mercedes brake fluid and take only 40 mins... I think i better do it .... my car has 80k now ! only flush the cooler...

vettdvr

MB fluid over the counter is about $25/ltr

charliele729

Might be silly question, but where is our brake fluid resevoir. Is it the one right beneath the driver side intake in the engine bay? I wanna see how clear it is because I just for my brake flush.

vettdvr

Yes you should see the cap and there is probably a plastic cover over the mastercylinder.

I flushed my SBC brakes about 6 months with very good results and the fluid is still clean. (NOTE did the job Without STAR)

starbrite

Can you tell us the procedure you used? (power bleeder?, etc)

vettdvr

I used the motive pressure bleeder w/MB adaptor. Filled bleeder with new fluid. Suction as much old out of the master cylinder, then top off fresh.

Install bleeder and pressurize.


Bleed brakes in correct order on each wheel.

After bleeding each one check to make sure you still have fluid in the bleeder.

Do all 4 wheels.


Took almost 2 ltrs of brake fluid to do total job.

After 6 month or more the fluid is still clean.

I didn't unplug the sbc but feel free to do so if you chose. But remember you aren't opening the pads only the bleed screw.

starbrite

Thanks ! Was the MB adapter the single one that Motive says fits most European cars, or did you get the kit w/an assortment of adapters that contained a MB specific?

vettdvr

I bought specific adaptors for MB, Corvette, and Ford truck.

Easiest to use with least hassle factor.

The MB specific worked like a champ.