Brakes Engaging in Reverse Gear (C180 W202 - 1996)

davidduk

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Hi everyone - A newbie to this forum here. Hoping someone may be able to help me?

12 months ago my C180 W202 (1996) automatic gearbox developed a fault. When I tried to reverse the vehicle the brakes engaged partially. I was still able to reverse but obviously with the brakes partially engaged it was a struggle and needed lots more throttle. If I shifted into neutral with the engine running I could push the car backwards without a problem.

It was decided at the time that it was a problem associated with the parking brake and simply loosening the parking brake cable solved the problem. For the past 12 months everything has been fine, that is until a few days ago when the problem returned. Unfortunately this time the same remedy hasn't worked. We've had the brakes apart but we haven't been able to identify the problem.

Has anyone here experienced this problem before and if so were you able to remedy it? Any ideas/suggestions would be gratefully appreciated. Thank you!
 
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LostKiwi

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Pretty much has to be parking brake related. There's nothing else than can have that effect. Make sure all cables and linkages are free moving and shoes correctly fitted.
 

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Hello and welcome

All I can think of is the parking brake pads are getting dislodged in reverse and jamming. If you jacknit up can you spin the rear wheel backwards?
 

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I would fit new shoes and a new set of springs then make sure they are properly adjusted.. Knock the cable adjustment right back, adjust up the new shoes then readjust the cable. If the problem persists change the discs and pads and start again.
 
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davidduk

davidduk

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Thanks for the above suggestions. Locally someone has suggested it could be a gearbox problem! Could it be?
 

noonboots

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Grasping at at straws but..... You could also check all the rear suspension bushes, including sub frame. If the axle was able to twist under drive in reverse it could possibly pull on the brake cable. Pushing the car backwards would not have the same effect. Slackening it off the cable would have prevented it. As I said, grasping at straws
 

00slk

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Thanks for the above suggestions. Locally someone has suggested it could be a gearbox problem! Could it be?

I had a Holden car that did something similar to what You're describing. Was the gearbox trying to engage drive while in reverse mode.
What you could try is reversing down hill, take it out of reverse gear and see if it still tries to do what you are saying.
With the Holden it was a replacement gearbox.
 
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davidduk

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I had a Holden car that did something similar to what You're describing. Was the gearbox trying to engage drive while in reverse mode.
What you could try is reversing down hill, take it out of reverse gear and see if it still tries to do what you are saying.
With the Holden it was a replacement gearbox.

Thank you for your feedback. Yes all is fine when going into neutral and reversing downhill. But from a standstill if I go into reverse gear, as soon I start reversing the brakes usually engage, although sometimes I can reverse freely to begin with but if I then apply the footbrake and then I take my foot off the foot brake again the brakes remain engaged.
 
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davidduk

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Pretty much has to be parking brake related. There's nothing else than can have that effect. Make sure all cables and linkages are free moving and shoes correctly fitted.
Thank you for your reply, much appreciated! Someone locally has suggested to me that it could be a gearbox issue? Do you think that is a possibilty? It does seem strange to me that the exact same problem 12 months ago just required an adjustment of the parking brake cable and this time instead of being a brakes issue they are saying it could be a gearbox issue?
 
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davidduk

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Grasping at at straws but..... You could also check all the rear suspension bushes, including sub frame. If the axle was able to twist under drive in reverse it could possibly pull on the brake cable. Pushing the car backwards would not have the same effect. Slackening it off the cable would have prevented it. As I said, grasping at straws
Thank you for your feedback. Much appreciated!
 
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davidduk

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I would fit new shoes and a new set of springs then make sure they are properly adjusted.. Knock the cable adjustment right back, adjust up the new shoes then readjust the cable. If the problem persists change the discs and pads and start again.
I appreciate your feedback. Thank you! Someone locally has suggested to me that it could be a gearbox issue? Do you think that is a possibilty? It does seem strange to me that the exact same problem 12 months ago just required an adjustment of the parking brake cable and this time instead of being a brakes issue they are saying it could be a gearbox issue?
 
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davidduk

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Hello and welcome

All I can think of is the parking brake pads are getting dislodged in reverse and jamming. If you jacknit up can you spin the rear wheel backwards?
Hi Thank you for your welcome - I appreciate your reply. Yes wheels spin freely when jacked up. Someone locally has suggested to me that it could be a gearbox issue? Do you think that is a possibilty? It does seem strange to me that the exact same problem 12 months ago just required an adjustment of the parking brake cable and this time instead of being a brakes issue they are saying it could be a gearbox issue?
 

noonboots

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I appreciate your feedback. Thank you! Someone locally has suggested to me that it could be a gearbox issue? Do you think that is a possibilty? It does seem strange to me that the exact same problem 12 months ago just required an adjustment of the parking brake cable and this time instead of being a brakes issue they are saying it could be a gearbox issue?
Parking brake cables should never need adjusting after being set up initially. The idea that they stretch is a very old myth. Adjusting the cable merely takes up free play from wear somewhere else. As for the gearbox, as far as I know there is no interaction with the gearbox and the brakes. An internal fault could give the impression of braking I suppose but adjusting the park brake cable wouldn't affect it.
 

Blobcat

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As above, I can’t see how adjusting parking brake cable could “Fix” a gearbox issue. Not sure if a ‘96 box would have that much electronics in the gearbox that would record a fault. But if it has that “intelligence” then faults will be stored if it is the gearbox, which the Mercedes diagnostic system could interrogate.

Still think it’s a parking brake issue.
 

LostKiwi

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If it's a 4 speed no electronics.
If it's a 5 speed it's a 722.6 so standard 722.6 diagnostics will be applicable (Star).

I seriously doubt it'll be gearbox on the basis of information provided.
 
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davidduk

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Parking brake cables should never need adjusting after being set up initially. The idea that they stretch is a very old myth. Adjusting the cable merely takes up free play from wear somewhere else. As for the gearbox, as far as I know there is no interaction with the gearbox and the brakes. An internal fault could give the impression of braking I suppose but adjusting the park brake cable wouldn't affect it.
Thank you. Very helpful.
 
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davidduk

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As above, I can’t see how adjusting parking brake cable could “Fix” a gearbox issue. Not sure if a ‘96 box would have that much electronics in the gearbox that would record a fault. But if it has that “intelligence” then faults will be stored if it is the gearbox, which the Mercedes diagnostic system could interrogate.

Still think it’s a parking brake issue.
Thank you for your help!
 
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davidduk

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If it's a 4 speed no electronics.
If it's a 5 speed it's a 722.6 so standard 722.6 diagnostics will be applicable (Star).

I seriously doubt it'll be gearbox on the basis of information provided.
Thank you. Very helpful!
 

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