Recall on GL, R, ML brake booster

[LostKiwi]

Bless. Ours is booked in for when we get back, we will be unlikely to have time between getting the car back from W-M and leaving for Dover to get it done.

When are you going?

 

[LostKiwi]

What really pi$$es me off is that my ML270, built in 2003, has just had that issue - hissing etc. Brakes were still working OK. Have paid $900 for the repair including a new booster. Now that is 2003, not 2005 onwards and, as it was fixed by a non-authorised mechanic, I have no recourse to MB for recompense. If only the recall had been sent out a month earlier, I would have had a good chance of getting it fixed free. Grrr. Seems the problem might be wider spread than suggested.
As a pointer, problem first showed up as a whistle, some 10-20 seconds after engine shutdown. That went on for quite a few weeks and then a constant hissing started whilst driving until the brake pedal was depressed, even lightly - it then ceased until pedal was released. It was at this point I decided to get it fixed.

Ian.

The recall is only W164 ML and derivatives so it wouldn't have helped.

 

[oigle]

The recall is only W164 ML and derivatives so it wouldn't have helped.

Yeah, I saw that. My thought was that the recall should have covered more models, going by my apparent similar failure. Would have made for an interesting conversation with MB.

 

[gh3382]

I have just had the Mercedes Technician sent by local dealer who confirms mine is ok . They remove the rubber band around the booster looking for excess corrosion. It was already booked in for next Friday for what I thought was this but he tells me that it is for an engine software update which I knew nothing about. Brakes safe is the good news. NOTE THERE IS A NO DRIVE ORDER ON THESE CARS FROM MERCEDES.

 

[LostKiwi]

I have just had the Mercedes Technician sent by local dealer who confirms mine is ok . They remove the rubber band around the booster looking for excess corrosion. It was already booked in for next Friday for what I thought was this but he tells me that it is for an engine software update which I knew nothing about. Brakes safe is the good news. NOTE THERE IS A NO DRIVE ORDER ON THESE CARS FROM MERCEDES.

Mines booked in Monday but given the no drive status I'm waiting a call to arrange a visit before then.

 

[mioba]

Looked at it on the drive.
It's effectively a pretty big brick at the moment until it's get looked at for the brake recall.

The SL on the other hand has had a good few top down runs out. Went to watch grandsons Cup Final yesterday in it (they lost).

Have you had a recall notice for the W251 LK. I am
in Germany at the moment so will get it seen too when back in Blighty.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Have you had a recall notice for the W251 LK. I am
in Germany at the moment so will get it seen too when back in Blighty.

There hasn’t been one published in the U.K. yet (according to the DoT), but local MB have confirmed it.

 

[mioba]

There hasn’t been one published in the U.K. yet (according to the DoT), but local MB have confirmed it.

Ok thanks for the heads up. I looked on the MB recall site and it was not there for my car. Had my Tata bags done this year, will do the diselgate and brake jobby when back if it shows.

 

[LostKiwi]

Have you had a recall notice for the W251 LK. I am
in Germany at the moment so will get it seen too when back in Blighty.

Asked MB UK about it Thursday and they were useless.
Phoned Northampton MB and after some fluffing about they confirmed it. They had only had the email themselves that morning.

It's due to go go in tomorrow though technically they have to come out to inspect before it can go in and as yet they haven't done that or arranged to do it.

Technically since I know of the issue insurance won't pay if I drive it so it's turned it into an enormous brick.

 

[LostKiwi]

Asked MB UK about it Thursday and they were useless.
Phoned Northampton MB and after some fluffing about they confirmed it. They had only had the email themselves that morning.

It's due to go go in tomorrow though technically they have to come out to inspect before it can go in and as yet they haven't done that or arranged to do it.

Technically since I know of the issue insurance won't pay if I drive it so it's turned it into an enormous brick.

So latest update.
MB Northampton are claiming "Do not drive" means except to bring it in to them.

Then, literally while typing this had a call to say they are sending a technician out to inspect it at home.

Left hand and right hand spring to mind....

 

[LostKiwi]

So latest update.
MB Northampton are claiming "Do not drive" means except to bring it in to them.

Then, literally while typing this had a call to say they are sending a technician out to inspect it at home.

Left hand and right hand spring to mind....

So just under 2 hours ago had a call saying they would send someone out and I'd get a call to say they'd be there in 30 minutes as soon as someone allocated. They wanted the car on the drive (something to do with H&S) so swapped the R and SL to accomplish that for them.
Also pointed out the car was booked to be in Northampton MB at 13:15 meaning I need to leave no later than 12:30.
It's now 12:10 and no phone call, no technician....

 

[LostKiwi]

So just under 2 hours ago had a call saying they would send someone out and I'd get a call to say they'd be there in 30 minutes as soon as someone allocated. They wanted the car on the drive (something to do with H&S) so swapped the R and SL to accomplish that for them.
Also pointed out the car was booked to be in Northampton MB at 13:15 meaning I need to leave no later than 12:30.
It's now 12:10 and no phone call, no technician....

So 12:30 just as getting ready to pack up and drive to MB Northampton get a call. Technician on his way. If it checks out it's done and dusted and no further action required. If not it will need to go into MB on a low loader...

More updates to come.

@Blobcat - might be worth splitting this out to an R Class/ML/GL recall thread?

 

[Blobcat]

@Blobcat - might be worth splitting this out to an R Class/ML/GL recall thread?

Done - faster than a Mercedes recall notice...

 

[LostKiwi]

So latest update....
The R Class is officially a brick.

There is a large rubber band going around the join in the servo case.
This is removed and inspected for rust marks. Any rust mark over 15mm is a fail.

This is mine....



Thats pretty comprehensively goosed. New servo time.

Now trying to arrange courtesy car.

More updates to come.

 

[LostKiwi]

So another update.
Just had another call with service department and there is a secondary check.
This check measures vacuum efficiency and if it passes then MB say it's good to go and will need a secondary check after 12 or 24 months (information still not clear on that one).

More updates to come.

 

[LostKiwi]

This is the detail of the check procedure.

Description of Remedy : Description of Remedy Program : An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the rubber sleeve and inspect the brake booster housing on the affected vehicles. Vehicles that do not exhibit advanced corrosion may continue to be driven with no further action. Vehicles that show advanced corrosion will have an additional test performed to ensure the functionality of the brake booster. Vehicles that pass the additional test may be driven for up to two years but must return for an additional repair. Vehicles that do not pass the additional test will require a brake booster replacement. The stop-drive notice will remain in effect for these vehicles until the brake booster is replaced. In the event a repair is necessary and cannot be carried out immediately, an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will help coordinate an individual solution for the customer, including alternate mobility.

More updates to come.

 

[ajlsl600]

Asked MB UK about it Thursday and they were useless.
Phoned Northampton MB and after some fluffing about they confirmed it. They had only had the email themselves that morning.

It's due to go go in tomorrow though technically they have to come out to inspect before it can go in and as yet they haven't done that or arranged to do it.

Technically since I know of the issue insurance won't pay if I drive it so it's turned it into an enormous brick.

A familiar f story!!

 

[LostKiwi]

Another update.

There are 3 possible results of the recall inspections.
1. Passes visual test - no further action.
2. Fails visual test - perform functional test.

From functional test there are two results.
1. Passes functional test - recheck within 2 years.
2. Fails functional test - do not drive until repaired.

Ours failed the visual but passed the functional so recheck in 2 years.

Not the best result as corrosion never gets better by itself but at least with the rubber band removed the root cause has been fixed.

Once the servo has been inspected they put a white paint spot on it to show it's been done.

Apparently under some circumstances if the corrosion get bad enough the braking effort can increase to the point the servo splits around the seam giving no brakes at all.

Really important that anyone with an ML, R or GL gets it checked.

 

[LostKiwi]

Once checks are done this is the letter left.

 

[LostKiwi]

White painted dot on servo. Denotes servo inspection completed

Photo courtesy of @Blobcat