SLK 200 heavy steering and handbrake failure

[Clare]

My wife's SLK200 is 5 years old, she bought it secondhand in Sussex.
I have had 5 different Mercedes cars and never found them to have heavy steering like this car. I have read one of your forum members, who has had a similar problem. We had Chichester MB try it out, they said all is normal.
Then yesterday the handbrake failed, it just flops back down, no ratchet or anything.
So we called the garage where we had purchased the SLK, it is still on a 6 months guarantee, they have taken the car away and are examining it.
Their immediate comment was "the steering seems OK and the handbrake ratchet is stuck".
So I wonder what we should be expecting, are there any points we should ask or look out for.
Thanks

 

[turbopete]

My wife's SLK200 is 5 years old, she bought it secondhand in Sussex.
I have had 5 different Mercedes cars and never found them to have heavy steering like this car. I have read one of your forum members, who has had a similar problem. We had Chichester MB try it out, they said all is normal.
Then yesterday the handbrake failed, it just flops back down, no ratchet or anything.
So we called the garage where we had purchased the SLK, it is still on a 6 months guarantee, they have taken the car away and are examining it.
Their immediate comment was "the steering seems OK and the handbrake ratchet is stuck".
So I wonder what we should be expecting, are there any points we should ask or look out for.
Thanks

which cars are you comparing the SLK to though? I had a 1999 e class and a 2001 c class was also in the family. in comparison to the e class, the c class steering was VERY heavy. that said, I personally (because I'm odd like that) preferred it. its entirely possible that the steering is as it should be, however there may also be a fault.

 

[television]

Does the car have speed sensitive steering.

 

[Clare]

Heavy steering on SLK200

The SLK200 doesn't have speed sensitive steering.
I have a C350 AMG Sport and it does have, but the difference is extreme, so I just wondered if it was OK or would it be wearing out the tyres.

What about the handbrake failing, is that a normal thing at a small mileage?.

Thanks for your comments.:-D

 

[television]

possibly needs a new hand brake lever assembly

 

[AMck]

Start with basics - are tyre pressures correct? Has it had front suspension/ steering geometry checked? Have the tyres got an uneven wear pattern or feathering? When you say heavy steering is this with car stationary or moving?