Parking brake release

[Jim2]

I don't like relying on Park only unless it's very flat ground - I have a mental picture of holding the car with a finger in the auto drive plate!

Question on the correct application of the Hand ( Foot ) brake in the w212.... As I understand it, to apply the hand/foot brake, just push it down firmly. To release,push it again, while pulling the release handle. Am I right in this? or is it only necessary to push the pedal when applying the Brake ? and just pull the release handle when you want to move off from parked position?
Thanks for any advice, and Best Regards,
Jim2

 

[Jim2]

I even use my parking brake at traffic lights!

It annoys me when people leave their foot on the brake pedal especially with these new-fangled high brightness brake lights.

Personally,I prefer to see the brake lights on, TBH....even allowing for the brightness, because when they goes out, you know that there is going to be movement ( especially at traffic lights)
Jim2.

 

[mikestrivens]

Question on the correct application of the Hand ( Foot ) brake in the w212.... As I understand it, to apply the hand/foot brake, just push it down firmly. To release,push it again, while pulling the release handle. Am I right in this? or is it only necessary to push the pedal when applying the Brake ? and just pull the release handle when you want to move off from parked position?
Thanks for any advice, and Best Regards,
Jim2

Whatever you comfortable with is fine. Personally I never use mine unless parked on a slope/gradient whatever.

 

[Jim2]

Whatever you comfortable with is fine. Personally I never use mine unless parked on a slope/gradient whatever.

Thanks Mike.... As its my first Merc, and definitely 1st experience with this type of brake, I am being very cautious..having experience of "normal" handbrakes not fully releasing and causing over heating on the discs / drums, and aside from losing brake effectiveness, costly repairs also. I guess that the Merc handbrake is a cable brake? And operates the callipers manually? So it follows that if it does not release fully.. worn parts will follow. That's why I was asking the question, if it's necessary to push on the pedal a 2nd time when releasing it, and pulling the release handle at the same time? If I do stop on an incline, even a slight one, put the selector in "P" switch off and apply the brake, sometimes it will move forward a little bit, before coming to a complete stop.. and this seems to be connected to the transmission.
Best Regards, Jim2

 

[mikestrivens]

The Mercedes foot operated parking brake operates on completely separate pads to the normal foot brake callipers. If it is adjusted properly when released it is fully released. Some people put their left foot over the parking brake pedal to stop the fairly loud bang it can make. Sometimes they take a couple of clicks to engage when using. If the car is moving a little in “P” then the parking brake hasn’t fully engaged and the car is settling against the parking position pawl in the gearbox, as it would normally when you put it in “P”.

 

[davemercedes]

I have to say that even after 4½ years (my first Merc and I still love it), the foot brake set up is actually quite efficient but I still hate using it. I had a period when I used to find the red "BRAKE!" warning would come on as though I hadn't released it (I had). My local garage just adjusted and lubricated it (as per Television instructions RIP) and that was about two years back. They told me the footbrake pads were still at about 80%, so they must be down to 78% now! That's when I found out they were a separate set of pads.

SWMBO's 2005 Renault Scenic has an automatic parking brake - you can apply it manually on a hill etc or just press the stop/start (engine) button when you're ending the journey. The hand brake releases at once with a blip of the throttle or it can be manually released via a lever that looks exactly like the MB release lever. I know the Renault ones go wrong but SWMBO's never has (and so do MB's!). But... when new, the Renault probably cost half as much the Merc.

 

[EmilysDad]

...... I guess that the Merc handbrake is a cable brake? And operates the callipers manually?

Your foot brake operates pads on the discs. The hand/parking/emergency brake operates a set of brake shoes inside a drum incorporated within the disc ie a top hat. It's a set up used on other cars (via a conventional handbrake) too, not just Mercs. Though some manufactures use or have used a handbrake on the disc, it's not always very effective. Just ask Peugeot/Citroen who had run away cars due to the brake releasing slightly as the disc cooled.

 

[Jim2]

The Mercedes foot operated parking brake operates on completely separate pads to the normal foot brake callipers. If it is adjusted properly when released it is fully released. Some people put their left foot over the parking brake pedal to stop the fairly loud bang it can make. Sometimes they take a couple of clicks to engage when using. If the car is moving a little in “P” then the parking brake hasn’t fully engaged and the car is settling against the parking position pawl in the gearbox, as it would normally when you put it in “P”.

Thanks Mike......so if it rolls a little bit, then the brake is not fully on. So this would mean that some adjustment is needed? When I test drove the car before purchase, the brake pad warning light was on, so a part of the deal,,,,all 4 sets of pads and two front discs were replaced. Presumably the handbrake operates on the rear? And you mention a separate set of pads for the handbrake... completely separate from the "normal" brakes? so will need to jack it up and check the cable adjustment, which I presume is the reason that the handbrake is not locking fully.
The car will soon be due it's NCT ( Irish equivalent of the MOT ) and I would hate a fail because the handbrake is not operating 100% ( or whatever % is required )
Thanks again,
Best Regards, Jim.

 

[mikestrivens]

It’s possible that the cable needs adjustment as the pads are unlikely to have worn out.

 

[EmilysDad]

. Presumably the handbrake operates on the rear? And you mention a separate set of pads for the handbrake... completely separate from the "normal" brakes? ........

Read my post ......

 

[Jim2]

Read my post ......

Yes, Emilys dad... I see what you mean now by "TopHat",,,, First time I have seen this set up. But it's clear now.
Thanks again, Jim2

 

[Jim2]

It’s possible that the cable needs adjustment as the pads are unlikely to have worn out.

Thanks again Mike.... Now I understand the "TopHat" mentioned in Emilys dad reply, everything is clearer. All brake pads were replaced + two front discs....so maybe.. just maybe, when the discs were fitted to the front, the adjustment was slackened off, and not re-tightened? and the handbrake is working on the front discs? Will get it jacked up and have look. Its possible to adjust the front brake shoes through one of the wheel nut apertures? and I suppose that the actual cable adjustment is a threaded bar.
Best Regards, Jim2

 

[EmilysDad]

Thanks again Mike.... Now I understand the "TopHat" mentioned in Emilys dad reply, everything is clearer. All brake pads were replaced + two front discs....so maybe.. just maybe, when the discs were fitted to the front, the adjustment was slackened off, and not re-tightened? and the handbrake is working on the front discs? Will get it jacked up and have look. Its possible to adjust the front brake shoes through one of the wheel nut apertures? and I suppose that the actual cable adjustment is a threaded bar.
Best Regards, Jim2

Your car has a standard disc at the front, there's adjustment on pads inside a caliper. The 'top hat' disc/drum set-up is at the back .... disc for the foot brake & the drum for the parking brake.

 

[EmilysDad]

Your car has a standard disc at the front, there's adjustment on pads inside a caliper. The 'top hat' disc/drum set-up is at the back .... disc for the foot brake & the drum for the parking brake.

That should have been ..... there's NO adjustment on pads .....

 

[Jim2]

Your car has a standard disc at the front, there's adjustment on pads inside a caliper. The 'top hat' disc/drum set-up is at the back .... disc for the foot brake & the drum for the parking brake.

Thanks EmilysDad. I understand the set up now. basically mixture of "Old" and "New" brakes......will try to adjust the slack out of it. Pity the garage that fitted the new pads did not check the Handbrake adjustment while they were at it.
Best Regards, Jim2

 

[EmilysDad]

Thanks EmilysDad. I understand the set up now. basically mixture of "Old" and "New" brakes......will try to adjust the slack out of it. Pity the garage that fitted the new pads did not check the Handbrake adjustment while they were at it.
Best Regards, Jim2

I've not had the need to play with the parking brake on this car, but you would normally adjust the shoes themselves first before you adjust any slack in the cable

 

[Jim2]

I've not had the need to play with the parking brake on this car, but you would normally adjust the shoes themselves first before you adjust any slack in the cable

Yes, that's understood, I've seem many examples of where a mechanic (?? and Lazy comes to mind.) just adjusted the cable... with disastrous results. Have you managed to do the adjustment through one of the wheel stud openings?
Jim2

 

[EmilysDad]

Yes, that's understood, I've seem many examples of where a mechanic (?? and Lazy comes to mind.) just adjusted the cable... with disastrous results. Have you managed to do the adjustment through one of the wheel stud openings?
Jim2

I have on other cars, but never touched this car ..... I rarely use the parking brake

 

[LostKiwi]

There is often a small amount of roll back when the parking brake is applied - say around 6" or so but then it should be solid. This is normal and part of the design of the brake.
If it continues to roll back then the brake either needs to be applied harder or the shoes need adjusting. To adjust remove the rear wheel the rotate the hub (parking prake off, car in neutral so make sure everything is chocked to stop movement) and line up the hole in the face of the hub with the star shaped adjuster under neath (you'll need to shine a torch through the hole to find it). Move the adjuster to adjust the shoes. One way will loosen the other will tighten - its on a thread.
Repeat on the other side.

 

[Oldspanners]

Had the same problem for a while and eventually got fed up with it taking 3 or 4 times to release.
Followed this video and haven't had any problems since for the best part of a year.
On my car I had to unbolt the rear seat and lift a sound deadening pad to get access. Spent a bit of time cleaning and lubing with silicone on the pivot and up the cable ends and lots of on/off operations before checking there was no drag on the wheels when off. The pedal is near the top of it's travel when off.
Hope this helps.