Hi guys,
Short version: Parking/emergency brake seems to be stuck open and is grinding against the disc brake. Removed parking brake shoes, tried to replace can't get disc brake back on with it. Might have to replace the cables.. need help, advice, instructions on that. Many thanks
Long Version: My 2003 #CLK 200 W209 had developed a strange and annoying grinding noise when driving. It was particularly noticeable when driving slowly with the windows open. After reading a few forum posts I checked the clips and cables to be sure they were not rubbing on the drive shaft. It was not the case. Around the same time I noticed the parking break was getting stuck and would need help releasing, I didn't think much of it as it is a common issue, but figured I would take a look at the rear breaks in general.
I ordered some new discs and pads for the rear breaks, with help of a friend managed to get them get the discs off the car.. It was very difficult on the left side and seemed like the parking brake shoes were stopping the discs from coming off. When we finally got the discs off and tried to put the new ones on, the same issue with the parking brake made it difficult to put the new ones back on. We played around with the parking brake adjuster and brake/released a bit and finally managed to get the new discs on. I took it for a test drive and still had the grinding noise. So we decided to test it by removing the parking break shoes completely on the left hand side. That solved the grinding noise!
So ordered new shoes, cables and the little mechanism at the end of the cable..
Yesterday I tried putting on the new shoes without changing the cables, managed to get them on (those little springs are a real pain in the neck) but ended up with the same issue of not being able to put the disc brakes back on with the parking brake shoes in..I'm pretty sure if I did manage to get it on, I would end up with the same grinding sound back there.
I have only seen one video of replacing the cables, and it seems a very involved process that would be a lot simpler with the car on a rack (I don't have access to one). Can anyone point me to a detailed guide for replacing the cables? The cables end with a hook like device and I have not found any instructions on how to fit/remove that part. I have a digital copy of the Mercedes WIS garage manual but have not found anything regarding this...
Thank you in advance.
Short version: Parking/emergency brake seems to be stuck open and is grinding against the disc brake. Removed parking brake shoes, tried to replace can't get disc brake back on with it. Might have to replace the cables.. need help, advice, instructions on that. Many thanks
Long Version: My 2003 #CLK 200 W209 had developed a strange and annoying grinding noise when driving. It was particularly noticeable when driving slowly with the windows open. After reading a few forum posts I checked the clips and cables to be sure they were not rubbing on the drive shaft. It was not the case. Around the same time I noticed the parking break was getting stuck and would need help releasing, I didn't think much of it as it is a common issue, but figured I would take a look at the rear breaks in general.
I ordered some new discs and pads for the rear breaks, with help of a friend managed to get them get the discs off the car.. It was very difficult on the left side and seemed like the parking brake shoes were stopping the discs from coming off. When we finally got the discs off and tried to put the new ones on, the same issue with the parking brake made it difficult to put the new ones back on. We played around with the parking brake adjuster and brake/released a bit and finally managed to get the new discs on. I took it for a test drive and still had the grinding noise. So we decided to test it by removing the parking break shoes completely on the left hand side. That solved the grinding noise!
So ordered new shoes, cables and the little mechanism at the end of the cable..
Yesterday I tried putting on the new shoes without changing the cables, managed to get them on (those little springs are a real pain in the neck) but ended up with the same issue of not being able to put the disc brakes back on with the parking brake shoes in..I'm pretty sure if I did manage to get it on, I would end up with the same grinding sound back there.
I have only seen one video of replacing the cables, and it seems a very involved process that would be a lot simpler with the car on a rack (I don't have access to one). Can anyone point me to a detailed guide for replacing the cables? The cables end with a hook like device and I have not found any instructions on how to fit/remove that part. I have a digital copy of the Mercedes WIS garage manual but have not found anything regarding this...
Thank you in advance.
