Fluctuating Brakes

Joe0675

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Messages
70
Reaction score
0
Location
BIRMINGHAM
Your Mercedes
2005 C220 CDI Elegance SE
I recently bought my first Mercedes - 2005 W203 220 CDI Elegance - great car quite a few miles (120k) but very pleased with it.
On the last MOT there is an advisory for both front brakes which reads "front brake fluctuating but not excessively". I really have no idea what this means, can anyone help me please.
I do notice sometimes under moderate braking there is a slight throbbing through the pedal as if the ABS is pumping a bit.
The brakes are not as firm as I would like but a visual of the pads and discs looks fine. I'll give them a good bleed through and change the fluid when the weather improves a bit!
Any ideas?
 

television

Always remembered RIP
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
164,073
Reaction score
367
Age
89
Location
Daventry
Your Mercedes
2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
I think this means warped or out of true front disc, the will give an increased pedal movement as the disc will push the pad slightly further back than it should do, its slight, but ii could have a little effect as well as the bumping that you feel through the pedal.
 

EmilysDad

Senior Member
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
12,120
Reaction score
5,664
Location
Bury Lancs
Your Mercedes
ML350
.... but a visual of the pads and discs looks fine. .....

They looked OK (apart from a wear ridge) from the front on my Vauxhall, but when removed you can see they weren't. ( the rear of a disc is difficult to see due to the stone guard )

front/outer
S73F0902.jpg


rear/inner
S73F0904.jpg
 

television

Always remembered RIP
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
164,073
Reaction score
367
Age
89
Location
Daventry
Your Mercedes
2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
As above you cannot see the inside and you cannot see anything if out of true
 
OP
Joe0675

Joe0675

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Messages
70
Reaction score
0
Location
BIRMINGHAM
Your Mercedes
2005 C220 CDI Elegance SE
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Thanks for the advice. I'll have a closer look and think about replacing them. Any advice on replacement discs?
 

television

Always remembered RIP
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
164,073
Reaction score
367
Age
89
Location
Daventry
Your Mercedes
2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
Check with ECP and get a Forum discount
 
OP
Joe0675

Joe0675

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Messages
70
Reaction score
0
Location
BIRMINGHAM
Your Mercedes
2005 C220 CDI Elegance SE
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Got a set of Pagid discs from ECP for less than £50 and put them on - problem of 'fluctuating brakes' now solved. Braking is much much better than before, good and solid and no more vibration.
Very pleased!
 
Top Bottom