Brake Problem

[C180 Chris]

Hi All,

Another little niggle with my "M" plated C180, it looks like i got the Friday afternoon car!

I have got a brake fluid leak and brakes now need blead, just wondered if there is a specific order to bleed the brakes or maybe one bleed nipple that will do the whole system?

All the best,

chris.

 

[foof1]

Before you bleed the brakes, sort out the source of the leak.'DON'T DRIVE THE CAR TILL THIS IS SORTED?)

 

[C180 Chris]

Thanks for that Freddie,

The car is off the road until it is sorted but just wondered if there was a specific order to bleed the brakes once i have replaced the calliper or whatever is causing the fault.

All the best,

 

[foof1]

This off the top of my head I don't know without looking it up. There are many on the forum that will give good advice and instructions on how to do it.

Freddie

 

[brianbrian]

Start with furthest away from master cylinder, don't drive car till you have found the problem.

 

[C180 Chris]

Thanks Brian and Freddie,

I am using my other car to get about until this is sorted so no probs there, once i find the fault i feel confident that i can replace whatever it is thats causing me the problem but was not sure of the best way to bleed a full system, or if Merc had a specific way to do the job ie. one nipple that would bleed the full system or something like that.

Many thanks for your help,

All the very best,

 

[television]

Your system is easy and standard to bleed.

Always start on the one furthest away, they will need 8 full pumps on the rear furthest away corner, do the next rear the same. Then the fronts the same with 4 pumps.

The tank must be kept topped up during the whole process, it it runs out, you have to do it all again DOT4 is the fluid.

When you know where the leak is I can give the info on fixing it

 

[turnipsock]

I always start with the o/s rear. Its not the furthest away as the crow flys, but, because of the way the pipes run, it has the longest route.

 

[C180 Chris]

Many thanks Malcolm and Turnipsock,

Will let you know how i get on when the temp gets better outside, until then i am Mercless!

All the very best,

 

[television]

No stamina these modern guy, its mind over matter how can you go around being mercless

 

[wireman]

As noted by malcolm & turnip furthest first,
If the system has been drained of fluid in either the front or rear circuit you must fully bleed the rear circuit before the front circuit, not do it this way round can leave a tiny air bubble in the master cylinder resulting in just a slight loss of motion and a very slightly rubbery feel to the pedal.

The tandem master cylinder operates the rear circuit on the half nearest the servo and the front circuit is connected to the part furthest away, in the master cylinder the front piston is normaly actuated hydraulicaly by the rear piston and there is a mechanical link placed between the pistons made only in the case of loss of integrity in either system, it is within this link that a very small air bubble can manifest itself if you bleed the front first.

It may be best to run the engine whilst you bleed the brakes so the servo moves the pistons.

Might I recomend that you consider changing as many of the rubber containing hydraulic brake parts as you can afford on this older car, They are most likely in a similar state to the part which is currently causing trouble and might soon decide to join in.

If you shop around a master cylinder and the flexible hoses should cost less than £200, they dont take a lot of fitting and will give you a degree of peace of mind having far more value than the money you paid.

From personal experience the nastiest of these failiures are the master cylinder and the flexible hoses which can fail catastrophicaly, calipers dont seem to be as nasty and only leak slowly. The ABS pump/valve unit is almost completely sealed to out side (it would need two major failiures inside it to leak out) and given the price of a replacement fortunatly does not seem to demand as much caution.

Most makers of cars and brake parts reccomend changing the fluid at 2 year intervals and the cylinders etc at 10 year intervals.

 

[C180 Chris]

Many thanks Malcolm and Wireman,

Mercless i am, and Mercless i will remain:lol::lol:

Well at least until i can make my soft Northern body brave the elements:lol:

All the very best,

 

[C180 Chris]

Many thanks to all who helped!

I am a Mercedes driver again!

Replaced caliper and blead system, all now seems well with the world, even the weather is better.