Parking Brake Question

[pikeg]

Hey folks,

Sorry if this has been brought up before but I have a quick question regarding the foot operated park brake on my W204 C180 Coupe.

Since I bought the car about a year ago now, the park brake has never held on hills. I had it adjusted about 8 months ago, back then the mechanic I use told me that he removed the discs and cleaned the insides etc. Apparently the discs/drums were in good condition (only 19k on he car) so I kind of put if off till now, as I live on the flat I didn't see it as urgent.

However, I noticed whilst washing the car the weekend that the discs do have scoring and when I went to run the sponge between the spokes I applied light pressure and the whole car moved! Luckily it was in park so not far, so even with the foot pedal down as far as I can push it the park brake is literally useless.

I still don't want to be relying solely on the park gear, especially as I regularly park on a hill when visiting my family etc.

So question is, should I just bite the bullet and replace the discs, pads and shoes? Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[mioba]

replace the discs, pads and shoes - i would say no as thats unlikely the issue. Those items wear down and in doing so dont render the parking brake ineffective.

Was the mechanic a merc indy?

If you have the same pads on the car from new, they might due soon, but again this wont render the parking brake innefctive.

 

[pikeg]

Hi there, yes I believe they are the original.. The car is 8 year old and only has 19k on the clock so it hasn't had much use before me. The mechanic isn't a Merc specialist however I know of a specialist in Swansea not far from me. So I may give him a visit, I was thinking maybe the shoes were contaminated or something but I suppose I need a specialist to check them out.

 

[Droverunner]

Very important those setting up this brake type fully understands you don't use the cable adjustment as the primary setting but ensure the cables have free play then set up the shoe base setting then the cables. Setting the shoes is fiddly and easily done incorrectly so many don't bother.

Set up correctly they should hold fine. I've just checked mine , fitted new discs and set up. They are spot on.

 

[sonic]

I assume the brakes work correctly when driving, if so its an issue the the parking brake assembly only.
Find a local MB independent to sort it out, & leave it parked in gear until sorted.

 

[pikeg]

I assume the brakes work correctly when driving, if so its an issue the the parking brake assembly only.
Find a local MB independent to sort it out, & leave it parked in gear until sorted.

Thats right, the brakes work fine, no troubles there.. Its only the park brake thats effected. I'll definitely get a Merc specialist on the case

 

[sonic]

Thats right, the brakes work fine, no troubles there.. Its only the park brake thats effected. I'll definitely get a Merc specialist on the case

Cables tend to be the problem with parking brakes, lack of use is normally the main cause.

 

[Droverunner]

>>> lack of use is normally the main cause.

Yes and a job I've had before is a seized compensator under tehe back seat in models (many) that have that arrangement.

 

[EmilysDad]

brake shoes are brake shoes .... you don't need to be a MB specialist to sort shoes & drums out. As above, they just need to be set properly.

 

[pikeg]

>>> lack of use is normally the main cause.

Yes and a job I've had before is a seized compensator under tehe back seat in models (many) that have that arrangement.

Come to think of it, when I had the park brake looked at before. I'm sure the mechanic adjusted the cog wheel on the drums but didn't go near the compensator.. I think this could be the root of the problem. I got it booked in next monday with the Merc specialist so hopefully he can get to the bottom of it

 

[LostKiwi]

They're pretty easy to adjust yourself. Loosen the cable at the compensator (if it has one). Jack one rear wheel and adjusting the star wheel using a screwdriver through the slot wind it up till it starts to bind. Back off slightly.
Repeat on the other side.
Adjust the compensator for 2-3 clicks of free play. Push the parking brake as hard as you can and release. Repeat 3 or 4 times. This helps push the shoes into position.
Release parking brake and lift one rear wheel. Check it isn't binding. Adjust as necessary. Repeat other side.
Go for a gentle drive of say 1 mile and check the rear wheels aren't getting hot. Adjust again as necessary.

Notes:
1. Always chock front wheels.
2. Use axle stands when adjusting the star wheel.
3. With handbrake on there is a small amount if movement in the brake. This is normal.

 

[pikeg]

I thought to come back with an update on this.. Just before Christmas I popped over to my local Mercedes specialist and he popped the rear disc off and the whole inside of the drum is rusted out and very slightly warped.. So definitely new discs job, he said there is a tiny patch where part of the shoe has made contact but otherwise fully rusted out.. Dang it

 

[AnthonyUK]

It does happen. To keep them clean, you might just want to partially apply the footbrake when it is safe to do when moving at low speed.

 

[Blobcat]

It does happen. To keep them clean, you might just want to partially apply the footbrake when it is safe to do when moving at low speed.

It’s what I do, as I almost never actually use my parking brake. Not had it rust on or fail an mot

 

[Fivespoke]

Same thing just happened to me. Could hear noise at slow speed, thought it was front discs, but no rear brakes rusted out. £300 to replace them. Okay its done close on 200K but whoever designed the W204 should have checked out the W203 first, far better car in my opinion. I got lumbered with a low spec 2012 diesel and I hate it.