When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
A couple of months ago, I got in my 2008 ML550 to drive somewhere, pressed on the brake pedal - and it went to the floor! The original rubber coated brake hose on the right side had ruptured right where it is attached to the steering knuckle (upright). The damage was on the side of the bracket where the brake hose flexes, not on the side that rotates with the steering knuckle. The rubber coating had been torn and I thought a rock must have hit it. It was extremely lucky this happened in front of the house and not while driving.
Now I am in the process of replacing both air springs (bags) on the front struts. I was taking the left side apart and I noticed the brake hose showed similar damage to the one I replaced on the right side. OMG! Perhaps all of you with similar age MLs should check your brake hoses at soon as you can. A failure while driving could have serious consequences.
When I put the new line back on, I am going to give it more slack on the flexing side and less on the fixed side.
Here is a picture, but it does not show the damage quite as bad as it really is at full lock.
Thanks for posting. My front brake hoses were cracked (but not leaking) in the same place. I replaced them 2 weeks ago before taking a long road trip. The rubber was dry rotted after 14 years and 182k miles on my ML350 4matic.
German rubber brake hoses are not what they used to be.
These are parts affected by new 1990s Euro regulations requiring auto parts be biodegradable.
My chief experience in this area is with BMW motorcycles and of course these items are more exposed to sunlight on a motorcycle. Most 1995-2005 hoses have failed by now. Earlier bikes probably still have their original hoses, still going strong.
The usual move is to replace rubber hoses with braided stainless steel covered teflon lines. I've found parts and done this on my 2001 Porsche but have yet to search for these items for my Mercedes.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
