Soft Break Peddle
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: East Texas
2004 Volvo XC70; 2012 GLK 350 4matic
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 527
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From: Old Dominion
2015 VW GTI.S4; 2016 Audi Q3 Prestige
The brakes just plain SUCK in the GLK. My 2012 was back at the dealer with 200 total miles on it, Very low pedal, very high force needed. The car feels like it is not going to stop. Service manager drove it and agreed with the problem. They bled the brakes without any improvement, they then changed the master cylinder, a little better but still horrible. I have had a number of MB cars including an 08 ML, great brakes, my wife's C class has great brakes. I don't know what to do with this car, It is going back on Tuesday for another shot at it. I have found if I lift off the brake pedal for a moment and then step again they work great, nice high firm pedal and the car stops great. Even while sitting at a light the car requires much pedal force to keep it from creeping foward, if I do the double pump thing it stays put as it should. I do think that the car is just too heavy for the brakes they have used.
3 samples over 3 years does not make a mass problem.
I have none of these symptoms.
The stop light example simply does not exist with me.
I think sometimes people see this small, agile & quick SUV & fail to realize they are moving 2+ tons.
Common sense & basic physics dictate greater stopping preparation diligence as the lbs get heavier.
Basic fundamental braking & driving technique such as brake modulation would support the poster's good braking feel after letting off.
And test driving the thing with great care prior to purchase help worked out any questions we had.
We test drove this thing on 3 different occasions with repeated brake fade a primary concern:
1) Initially
2) BMW driving event comparison vs. new X3
3) Final
I don't believe throwing $40+K at something & crying foul without knowing the facts is proof of a GLK's brake deficiency. It does show something else though...
Last edited by MBNA109; Nov 4, 2011 at 01:28 PM.
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Nissan GT-R BE / '12 Ducati-1199 Panigale S / '12 C300-4M Loaded/GLK350-4M Loaded
There are so many factors in braking that its hard to tell without driving the car in a test drive. Pad type and composition, rotor composition, then how the driver uses or abuses them, road conditions, tire pressures, will all effect the way brakes behave... Ever drive past a wreck on the freeway?.... and did you happen to drive through a puddle of antifreeze from the wreck? Antifreeze, oil, gasoline etc will soak into the pads and lessen their performance. If the driver is a speed demon from block to block of stop and go driving, this abuse can glaze the pad which can also ruin its performance... so before you blame Mercedes, or the car, first look at your driving and braking habits to see if they can be improved upon...
Last edited by MBRedux; Nov 4, 2011 at 06:36 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 527
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From: Old Dominion
2015 VW GTI.S4; 2016 Audi Q3 Prestige
There are so many factors in braking that its hard to tell without driving the car in a test drive. Pad type and composition, rotor composition, then how the driver uses or abuses them, road conditions, tire pressures, will all effect the way brakes behave... Ever drive past a wreck on the freeway?.... and did you happen to drive through a puddle of antifreeze from the wreck? Antifreeze, oil, gasoline etc will soak into the pads and lessen their performance. If the driver is a speed demon from block to block of stop and go driving, this abuse can glaze the pad which can also ruin its performance... so before you blame Mercedes, or the car, first look at your driving and braking habits to see if they can be improved upon...
Seriously, you couldn't have written it any better.
I would also add that the tires are the other main part of braking that people always neglect.
The OEM shodded Dunlops aren't the best out there - if you have it on your GLK.
If your tires are worn, cold or possibly damaged - guess what is creating 'stick' & friction or where the rubber meets the road? It ain't the brakes touching the asphalt.
Last edited by MBNA109; Nov 4, 2011 at 01:29 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
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Nissan GT-R BE / '12 Ducati-1199 Panigale S / '12 C300-4M Loaded/GLK350-4M Loaded
Have you ever taken a driving class?
Seriously, you couldn't have written it any better.
I would also add that the tires are the other main part of braking that people always neglect.
The OEM shodded Dunlops aren't the best out there - if you have it on your GLK.
If your tires are worn, cold or possibly damaged - guess what is creating 'stick' & friction or where the rubber meets the road? It ain't the brakes touching the asphalt.
Seriously, you couldn't have written it any better.
I would also add that the tires are the other main part of braking that people always neglect.
The OEM shodded Dunlops aren't the best out there - if you have it on your GLK.
If your tires are worn, cold or possibly damaged - guess what is creating 'stick' & friction or where the rubber meets the road? It ain't the brakes touching the asphalt.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 15
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'10 GLK350
Are you, lucky owners of GLK's with good brakes, done throwing mud at us, the few not so lucky ones?
Al this technical nonsense that was given above, very much reminds me of what dealership are usually feeding to unhappy clients, if they want to avoid problematic repairs.
My case is simple, brakes show very modest wear, however pedal travels too far and brake performance is rather variable. At times brakes would grab well and early, but most of the time pedal goes deep and brakes seem weak. I am not car genius and I am not planning to become one, however I bought well established brand and not a home made kit car, so it is only reasonable to expect, that brakes in my GLK would work to my safety and satisfaction. Currently MB gave me reason to believe that it is not available. Therefore, I filed safety complaint with NHTSA, so they investigate the issue. Especially since I see more than myself with that similar complaint. If it was some minor issue, like backup camera, or door lock, I'd be a lot more calm here, however my wife has already been in a minor collision, where she "almost stopped", yet managed to dent that Honda's door, that cut her off... It is hard to blame MB for that, however, something makes me think that better brakes on our GLK would have helped.
This is my 2 bucks, for your consideration.
Al this technical nonsense that was given above, very much reminds me of what dealership are usually feeding to unhappy clients, if they want to avoid problematic repairs.
My case is simple, brakes show very modest wear, however pedal travels too far and brake performance is rather variable. At times brakes would grab well and early, but most of the time pedal goes deep and brakes seem weak. I am not car genius and I am not planning to become one, however I bought well established brand and not a home made kit car, so it is only reasonable to expect, that brakes in my GLK would work to my safety and satisfaction. Currently MB gave me reason to believe that it is not available. Therefore, I filed safety complaint with NHTSA, so they investigate the issue. Especially since I see more than myself with that similar complaint. If it was some minor issue, like backup camera, or door lock, I'd be a lot more calm here, however my wife has already been in a minor collision, where she "almost stopped", yet managed to dent that Honda's door, that cut her off... It is hard to blame MB for that, however, something makes me think that better brakes on our GLK would have helped.
This is my 2 bucks, for your consideration.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 527
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From: Old Dominion
2015 VW GTI.S4; 2016 Audi Q3 Prestige
Technical nonsense? Seriously, you need to know something about cars before YOU go slinging your own sewage.
Slinging mud @ you?
You're the one going in seeking help already down a few IQ points...Ignorance always causes trouble I guess.
Slinging mud @ you?
You're the one going in seeking help already down a few IQ points...Ignorance always causes trouble I guess.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
'10 GLK350
Your technical expertise is not helping here, because there is no button to push, to make my brakes work like they do on other cars we own and drive.
Do you think normal person needs to think and know about all the brake system's internals and theories, when their pedal goes half way to the floor, before something happens? Please go and start another thread, where you can praise GLK brakes and I will not participate, however in this one, I found that I am not alone and that there are other GLK's with similar issue.
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
From: Old Dominion
2015 VW GTI.S4; 2016 Audi Q3 Prestige
Since your brakes are good and you have no complaints, why are you in this thread then?
Your technical expertise is not helping here, because there is no button to push, to make my brakes work like they do on other cars we own and drive.
Do you think normal person needs to think and know about all the brake system's internals and theories, when their pedal goes half way to the floor, before something happens? Please go and start another thread, where you can praise GLK brakes and I will not participate, however in this one, I found that I am not alone and that there are other GLK's with similar issue.
Your technical expertise is not helping here, because there is no button to push, to make my brakes work like they do on other cars we own and drive.
Do you think normal person needs to think and know about all the brake system's internals and theories, when their pedal goes half way to the floor, before something happens? Please go and start another thread, where you can praise GLK brakes and I will not participate, however in this one, I found that I am not alone and that there are other GLK's with similar issue.
Berating a 125 year old manufacturer & its dealership affiliates because you are too arrogant to address the issue like a rational adult is somehow helping you?
In this thread there are 3 people speaking up about this issue...how is that representative of a mass defect?
Hey don't let the big numbers or engineering scare you now.
I'm sure there's a wall somewhere you can run into just to prove that you are right.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 3
From: East Texas
2004 Volvo XC70; 2012 GLK 350 4matic
I am dealing with brake pedal becoming gradually deeper and deeper, also brakes are not as grabby as on other newer cars, they feel bit slippery.
Dealership refuses to acknowledge any brake issues, so I am currently talking MB USA and possibly local lemon law firm. We have our GLK for 2 years now, since new and complained number of times about funny brakes, yet MB chooses to act like their dropping do not smell.
Dealership refuses to acknowledge any brake issues, so I am currently talking MB USA and possibly local lemon law firm. We have our GLK for 2 years now, since new and complained number of times about funny brakes, yet MB chooses to act like their dropping do not smell.
It is way past time that you take your GLK to:
1. Another M-B dealer. Ask them politely to evaluate the brake system. Without any other background story. Don't muddy the water with your 2 year tale of woe. Something like this...
"Mr. M-B Service Rep., Please evaluate my brake system."
"What is wrong, Mr. GLK Owner?"
"I would like you to tell me if there is anything wrong. Please?"
2. Do the same with a reliable independant garage that specializes in current model Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Be prepaired to pay for both examinations.
That is my final answer.
Wayne
