PROBLEM with brakes on a Mercedes Sprinter 311cdi

[andy03071981]

I have a big PROBLEM with the brakes on a Mercedes Sprinter 311cdi (51 plate). It started when the brake peddle went nearly down to the bottom (too much brake travel). So I took it to the garage and they did a fluid change on it and said that if that didn't work then it would be the master cylinder. Guess what!! It didn't work, it gradually went back to long brake travel again. So it went back to the garage and had the master cylinder replaced. They said everything would be fine now! But no!! It did the same thing again and gradually went back to too much brake travel. So again it went back to the garage who then put some self bleeding nipples on and got as much air as they could out of the brakes! This was OK for about a week and then it was back up to its old tricks! So at the moment I am left with rubbish brakes. Pumping the brakes helps a bit! The problem is that I am self employed and only have one van so have no choice but to use it, plus I work at night so if they totally go there's no garage open to help me! And not to mention the cost every time it goes back to the garage! So has anyone got any ideas? Because I have run out!!!

 

[OlafMaxwell]

There were issues with ABS units doing strange things on the E class of that vintage. If its the same unit it could be your problem.

 

[andy03071981]

There were issues with ABS units doing strange things on the E class of that vintage. If its the same unit it could be your problem.

Unfortunately It doesn't have ABS brakes, just standard ones.

 

[Uncle Benz]

I would love to know the answer to this!! I have been watching to no avail!! I recently saw a VW LT35 (similar machine) with exactly this fault. We replaced the master cylinder and load compensating valve with no improvement. The owner (who has had the van from new) says the brake pedal has always had a long travel. I am utterly convinced there is no air within the system, but cannot come up with a solution at the moment...

 

[griddz]

Sprinter brakes

We have exactly the same fault on our 311 04 reg sprinter, have changed the brakes all round and still the pedal travels all the way down to the floor.
If the engine is switched off brake travel appears normal, start the van up and bang!! all the way it goes down again.

Very disconcerting when you are driving that you cant stop your foot from travelling down to the floor..

Any help would be good!!!

p.s Bet andy feels he's not the only one!!!

 

[andy03071981]

Bet andy feels he's not the only one!!!

I'm glad I'm not the only one! haha! I am surprised that nobody seems to have any idea how to fix this problem. It will probably be something only the gods at Mercedes know how to fix!

 

[daz 585]

the sprinters all have bad brake travel some sprints go nearly to the floor, "scary" it is just how they are there is no quick fix as i know off yet,, as you say andy a quick jab on the peddal helps a fair bit, from all accounts it is due to the servo been so large what causes the pedal to travel so far, daz,

 

[andy03071981]

the sprinters all have bad brake travel some sprints go nearly to the floor, "scary" it is just how they are there is no quick fix as i know off yet,, as you say andy a quick jab on the peddal helps a fair bit, from all accounts it is due to the servo been so large what causes the pedal to travel so far, daz,

It didn't used to be like this, it just came on all of a sudden. The brakes used to be brilliant. I have had 2 sprinters now and have never experienced this before! You are right when you say its scary though. When it feels like I have no brakes I sometimes nearly poo my pants, haha!

 

[supercharger]

im having the same problem with my w126 v8 at the moment it was doing this prior to my brake overhaul earlier this week new pads and discs allround new pipes allround and fluid of course. i have put on a master cylinder from a breaker which i new was good and there still the same. was gonna go down and get a master cylinder today but unsure now after reading this.


supercharger

 

[mister_cee333]

Have a look at this old thread, especially page 2 where battwell suggests a remedy.

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=23604&highlight=brakes

 

[andy03071981]

Have a look at this old thread, especially page 2 where battwell suggests a remedy.

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=23604&highlight=brakes

I will try that asap and let you know how it goes! I have also emailed Mercedes to see if they can shed any light on the matter. I will let you all know what they say if they ever reply!

 

[battwell]

excessive brake travel. sprinters

as i wrote months back. on my 312 with 300k i had excessive brake travel which passed the brake test on mot but the tester wasnt happy with the amount of travel. nor was i as it seemed too close to floor. i had changed fluid, new disks and pads. checked brake compensator valve etc etc.
i removed the 2 nuts holding master cylinder to bulkhead and pulled it out with pipes still connected. behind here there is a splined nut which i turned outwards a quarter turn. brake pedal is now exactly where it should be.
caution, i tried turning it another half turn to be smart but the brakes bound solid when warm so be warned dont over do it.
i had already ruled out flexing hoses or dodgy master cylinder by clamping hoses near wheels and pressing pedal hard with no sink or spongieness.
check wheel temps after doing it to make sure nothing is binding after a short drive around the block.
hope this helps you all.
the van has covered approx 50000 miles since and brakes are still perfect.

please note . very important. its worth getting this sorted properly now as its much cheaper than using the front bumper to stop you!
__________________

 

[ady_barrows]

How did you get along with this method?

 

[thuttie]

For info: I had the problem with excessive travel directly after replacing the rear pads. I have used the master cylinder trick on my transit, but thought this problem must be something else because nothing had changed.
After I tapped the retainers home with a hammer (I'd had problems releasing them and they were pretty old and looking a bit proud) the pedal came back, so I invested £3.20 in new retainers which seemed to do the trick.

 

[Jasons76]

They all had excessive travel mercs tried all sorts to try to stop it different brake pedals with different holes for the push rod connection they even got us to take the customer out for a drive and left foot brake and after nearly throwing the customer out the window tell him or her that see there is nothing wrong with the brakes.anglian water had loads of sprinters and sent them all back because the brakes were so poor.

 

[patco]

312D VAC PUMP with 15ins/mg Vacuum

I think I might be getting close to finding out the problem with my Sprinter's brakes.
In the MOT the front brakes read 450 instead of 550-600 BUT the rear ones were OK.
I've just checked the Vauum and at 15, I think that is too low.
Anyone else had this problem and improved their braking as a result?
I think there may be a Vac Pump Overhaul Kit available but not checked yet