Clunky 99 CLK auto box, and strange brakes

[rossclifford]

Hi,
I'm new the the forum and only had my 99 230k CLK for a few weeks. Overall I'm pleased with the car other than a few quirks, which are:
1. After driving for a few minutes and holding the car stationary on the brakes the brake pedal pulses very slightly at 1.5 second intervals, it does it whether the car is in D, P or N. The brakes work fine, it's just this strange pulsing.
2. I've noticed when slowing on the brakes the autobox downchanges are quite abrupt and jerky, is this normal?

Thanks for any advice it is much appreciated.

Regards

Ross

 

[nh2]

hello

i had something similar with my auto gearbox, the car has done just over 100000 miles and i noticed when slowing on the motorway down hill the gearbox seemed to become more jerky than normal, however a gearbox oil change has so far resolved that problem..

pulsating brakes - don't know on that one..

 

[jasonbelcher]

I have a CLK 320 that does the same with the brake pedal. It's going to the garage tomorrow to have a look at this as well as a couple of other things - I'll let you know what they say. Related or not, I also have some vibration at 60-80mph and a 'shudder' when braking at high speed/brakes hot.

 

[rossclifford]

I'm glad someone else has the brake issue, I called a speciliast and explained it to them and they didnt have a clue. My car is booked in with them in 2 weeks so I would be really interested in hearing how you get on.

Cheers Ross

 

[Jay Kilby]

I have a CLK 320 that does the same with the brake pedal. It's going to the garage tomorrow to have a look at this as well as a couple of other things - I'll let you know what they say. Related or not, I also have some vibration at 60-80mph and a 'shudder' when braking at high speed/brakes hot.

Get your wheels balanced and tracking checked, also check for bulges on the tyre. then have your disks checked. in my experiance vibration at that sort of speed is either wheel balance or tracking. this can also cause break judder but if the first two items are fixed and you still get break judder then it will more than likely be warpped disk's. remember these are the most common causes of those problems and the cheapest to fix.

hope this helps

 

[Blobcat]

Although the gearbox is 'sealed for life' the life of the gearboxes has dropped into warranty time on a few occassions. MB are starting to recommend ATF changes to prevent gearbox failures and possible warranty claims. I would recommend a ATF change as it has been in there for around 7 yrs. Do ensure you use the correct MB speciifed ATF fluid.
There has been quite a few treads on gearboxes recently, Parrot of Doom placed a very comprehensive step by step guide with pictures.

 

[Birdman]

Re warped discs as a cause of brake judder/vibration there is an interesting commentary at StopTech on the subject. The case made is that warping occurs in motorbikes with their thin steel discs but cars use heavy cast ferrous discs that don't warp and the brake roughness/vibration is down to uneven transfer thickness of the pad compound. Obviously, that explanation doesn't apply to slow 'pulsing' at rest but may be one cause of shudder at speed.

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_warped_brakedisk.shtml

 

[jasonbelcher]

Well, replacement of disks all round cleared the braking shudder. The mechanic said the last time they were replaced the garage had not cleaned up the hubs?, leaving some rust etc so that the discs were not sat straight. He said that they could be skimmed but as it was already in the garage, new discs and the problem went away.

Also got all the wheels balanced but still get vibration at 60 - 80. The prop shaft was replaced recently but I think there is something else causing it - back in again soon to be looked at

 

[rossclifford]

Jason, I guess though that this hasnt solved your pulsing pedal whilst stationary though?

 

[jasonbelcher]

No, but what we found was resting your (left) foot on the foot rest you could also feel it. The mechanic thought that it wasn't anything to worry about and was probably just something touching within the engine bay

 

[television]

I have looked through the whole WIS faults list 100 pages, and nothing shown for this. It may have a fault code stored, could be to do with ABS,ESP or BAS, it will be interesting to know what it is.it may not even be brake related.

Malcolm

 

[Jay Kilby]

did you get them to check the tracking?
also ask them to inspect the tie rods and ball joints for play. if you push past 80 does the vibration go away?
also if the prop was replaced get them to check none of the fixings have come loose or all the appropriate spacers have been installed correctly, and the universal joint has been fitted properly.
also and this will sound really stupid check the rear wheel bolts are tight, and have them balanced as well. it is funny how the rear wheels can affect what seems to be the front!!
hope this helps

Jayk

 

[jasonbelcher]

I had all the wheels balanced and it doesn't seem to have solved it.

noticed last night that it appears around 60-80 and also around 100

might try a visit to another merc garage to get a second opinion