Parking Brake won't release - cold weather

[peterould]

Hi all,

First post - be gentle!!!

I have an E220 Bluetec Cabriolet, 65 Reg, Diesel. Purchased in February. Gorgeous car - feels like a coupe when the roof is up, feels amazing with the roof down.

The last two days have been icy mornings (first of the year) and I've noticed that the parking brake takes an absolute age to be able to release. Both mornings (today and yesterday) I've had to wait up to ten minutes before it releases.

Is this a known issue? Is the solution simply a judicious application of de-icer or WD40? If so, where (not really a car guy so please be incredibly specific!!!)? If something else, what?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[mioba]

where are you based, have a y good indy nearby, not any old garage but a MB specific one. Someone will then recommed (hopefully a good garage near you).

Parking break needs looking at and lubricating with the correct lube.

 

[peterould]

where are you based, have a y good indy nearby, not any old garage but a MB specific one. Someone will then recommed (hopefully a good garage near you).

Parking break needs looking at and lubricating with the correct lube.

Thanks - I'm in Canterbury.

 

[Blobcat]

Put it in park and don't use the brake (then get it lubricated)

 

[John Laidlaw]

^ this....the cold is just a coincidence IMO they all seem to suffer unless lubricated well and used. Good old pull up with the foot at the same time as releasing/pulling the handle will help too....

 

[peterould]

Hi all,

On reflection, I think the parking brake has been getting a bit stiffer. The icy weather has just made it obvious.

Is the lube something I can do myself or will it need a professional? Does it need to be a specialist?

Pulling up on the foot peddle at the same time as pulling the brake handle - that works?

 

[peterould]

Put it in park and don't use the brake (then get it lubricated)

Thanks - have gone out and done this now. Will this still work on a (gentle) slope?

 

[DREAMER NO2]

It wont cost the earth for some mb servicman to put a drop of oil where its wanted .You wont know how to lub the brake linkage yourself . And i only use the park on the gear selector at stand still ,,most important dont put it in park on the move .. Brake only gets used if i have to park on a hill .My car is sitting on the drive right now, with a wooden scotch under the front wheel, and the selector in P . With service brake redundant .On older cars the shoes have been known to stick to the hand brake drum over time .Mainly in the winter due to condensation and corrosion .

 

[Altamar]

Hi and welcome.

I get this problem on my 64 plate E220d and I also think it is worse in the cold weather.

I use GT85 (which is similar to WD40 but PTFE based) and if you buy the 400ML can it usually comes with a very helpful plastic straw which lets you target the spray area. Get down on your hands and knees in the drivers footwell area and spray the GT85 around the pin on which the foot operated parking brake pivots. This usually helps.

You can also hook your foot under the lever as you release the brake but who wants to do that all the time?

My car has a full MB service history so I would like to think any other points which need lubricating have been done - but who knows!

(As others have said, I leave my other car in 'park' with the parking brake off but that is because it is kept in the garage and the floor is flat)

 

[mioba]

It depends where the high friction is observed and it will probably need to be raised and got unbder the car to inspect the handbrake lines shoes. something like WD40 may work depending on the friction point.

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks - have gone out and done this now. Will this still work on a (gentle) slope?

Yes, not an issue. I almost never leave my car with the handbrake on as they rust on too easily

 

[EmilysDad]

The only time the hand/parking brake is used on my auto's is on a fairly steep hill, otherwise they are just left in Park

 

[rorywquin]

Hi all,

First post - be gentle!!!

I have an E220 Bluetec Cabriolet, 65 Reg, Diesel. Purchased in February. Gorgeous car - feels like a coupe when the roof is up, feels amazing with the roof down.

The last two days have been icy mornings (first of the year) and I've noticed that the parking brake takes an absolute age to be able to release. Both mornings (today and yesterday) I've had to wait up to ten minutes before it releases.

Is this a known issue? Is the solution simply a judicious application of de-icer or WD40? If so, where (not really a car guy so please be incredibly specific!!!)? If something else, what?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Mine sticks a bit when it has been driven in the wet or washed. When I park in my garage, I release the parking brake (with the g-box in P). Being level in the garage I'm not concerned overloading the little pin (don't know what it is called) in the g-box.

 

[EmilysDad]

.... overloading the little pin (don't know what it is called) in the g-box.

Pawl

 

[peterould]

Hi and welcome.

I get this problem on my 64 plate E220d and I also think it is worse in the cold weather.

I use GT85 (which is similar to WD40 but PTFE based) and if you buy the 400ML can it usually comes with a very helpful plastic straw which lets you target the spray area. Get down on your hands and knees in the drivers footwell area and spray the GT85 around the pin on which the foot operated parking brake pivots. This usually helps.

You can also hook your foot under the lever as you release the brake but who wants to do that all the time?

My car has a full MB service history so I would like to think any other points which need lubricating have been done - but who knows!

(As others have said, I leave my other car in 'park' with the parking brake off but that is because it is kept in the garage and the floor is flat)

Thanks - really helpful. I will get some GT85 and try this out and if that doesn't work will get a proper mechanic to have a look.

And thanks to everyone - some really great advice. Really appreciate it.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

WD40 is not a lubricant, only a water repellent . But after all better than nothing ..You know the saying,, any oil is better than no oil . I would use a penetrating oil first follow up wuith a good chain spray.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Thanks - really helpful. I will get some GT85 and try this out and if that doesn't work will get a proper mechanic to have a look.

And thanks to everyone - some really great advice. Really appreciate it.

Halfords sell the GT85....

 

[peterould]

Halfords sell the GT85....

I'll check my shed and if it's not there I'll pop down for that *essential* purchase

 

[peterould]

GT85 found in my shed and sprayed into the relevant place. It now works beautifully.

Thank you so much for the advice.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

I had 6 tins of that GT85 penetrating oil, that was when it was on offer at Sainsbury they had pallets of it .And those tins i had have all gone now .And you can pay up to £6 a tin for it on Ebay at Sainsburys it was on offer at a £1 a tin .